Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Gary Numan Cars Video
Artists How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars
chris lake
Artists “People have been imitating my sound for a long time, but now someone can type a prompt and make a song that sounds like Chris Lake – that's wild!”: Chris Lake on how AI is putting music-making “under threat”
Sombr and Wendy Melvoin
Artists How Wendy Melvoin’s bass playing became the “secret weapon” on Sombr’s 12 to 12
Dijon
Artists The 'secret sauce' that creates Dijon’s distinctive vocal sound isn't what you thought it was
amenbreak
Tech AmenBreak VST is a break-slicing, sample-mangling junglist powerhouse - and there’s a free version
push
Tech Ableton and Arturia reign supreme as Reverb reveals best-selling synths, samplers and drum machines of 2025
bicep
Artists “Omnisphere’s like a Korg Wavestation on crack – you press one button and 16 things happen at once”: Bicep on soft synths, sampling glaciers and club-focused new project CHROMA 000
Halina Rice
Tech 'Immersive first' electronic musician Halina Rice on creating unique live experiences and new album, Unreality
Adam F
Artists Adam F on making '90s DnB classic Colours – and why he’s re-recording it for 2025
A home music studio with MIDI keyboard, Mac, and dual screens showing a DAW
Recording Best Christmas gifts for music producers 2025: 9 affordable ideas they'll actually use
Yes backstage
Artists Unpacking the technical genius behind one of the most iconic rock songs of the 1980s
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Steve Porcaro performing with 'Toto' at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 1979. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Artists "It’s all over Rosanna, all over Africa”: Toto’s Steve Porcaro names his Top 5 synths
M83
Artists Inside the towering M83 monolith that left its creator with mixed feelings
I love the Refaces, but at just £59, the Yamaha PSS-A50 is the best Cyber Monday ‘couch keyboard’ deal I’ve seen
Keyboards & Pianos Quick! You still have time to grab the Yamaha PSS-A50 for only $59 at Thomann! I love the Refaces, but this is the best Cyber Week ‘couch keyboard’ deal I’ve seen
Akai MPC Live III
Tech “A truly go-anywhere production box that’s determined to keep you away from a laptop”: Akai MPC Live III review
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Synths

Me in my studio: Chris Carrier

News
By Simon Arblaster published 23 May 2019

Step inside the inner sanctum of renowned French DJ/producer

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

French DJ and Producer, Chris Carrier, has been filling dancefloors since releasing his debut EP back in 1994.

In the nineties, his Chronobrain label was a cornerstone of the French techno scene, with co-owner and mentor Guillaume la Tortue.

Over the last 20 years, Carrier has spanned a multitude of different labels, genres, and collaborations, garnering a vast worldwide following and respect for his skills as a DJ and producer.

So when the opportunity arose to take a peek inside his studio and check out the gear behind his productions, of course, we couldn't resist.

His current release, Mouche Vol. 1 (ft. Chris Carrier, Merv, TM Shuffle + more), is out now via Mouche and you can keep up with Chris Carrier on Facebook and Soundcloud.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Roland TR-909

Roland TR-909

"This classic drum machine from Roland was created in 1984 and has never been equalled since. 

"I have had several since the '90s and this one I traded for an MPC 60 Akai 10 years ago. It works very well and I have use it from the beginning on many projects. 

"Over the last few years I have created a techno label called Sound Carrier where the tracks always come from here. I use this a lot, including effects like the Eventide H3000, the DP4 Ensoniq or on modules like the Multi-Delay Processor Verbos. Also, the filters and LFO modular still give off a modern sound."

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Toft ATB-08M

Toft ATB-08M

"This is an 8-Channel analog console, and the legacy of the Trident 80 series. I've been using it for some time; the sound is hot and it is patched to a Neutrik Bantam. 

"The 4-band EQs are the big highlight of this table, the same as on the Trident models. The only problem with this mixer is that it cracks quickly so it must be cleaned often. Other than that, a great piece of kit." 

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Roland TB-303

Roland TB-303

"Still a classic from Roland, this one is so often a feature of my music. The first (version) has a look identical to the TB-303. So it's very good for acid lines especially. I use it with this sequencer and also with MIDI, and I bought it 50 francs (less than €10) back in the early '90s in a store called Nation Music.

"I still remember, there was a box there filled with TB-303s and TR-606s which nobody had anything to do except artists like Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk), Laurent Garnier and Ludovic Navarre (St Germain). Amazing!"

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Oberheim Matrix 1000

Oberheim Matrix 1000

"This is a small expander Oberheim with 1000 presets. It was rather difficult to edit with the Access control, though. Since Stereoping has released one it is easier to control. It works very well, and there are two models; a little the 1016r I have and a new Matrix 1000/6 /6R taller. I use it generally for the pads which give off a big sound. Indeed, I used it for my EP on Mouche Records while going through a modular filter."

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
ASQ10 Akai Roger Linn

ASQ10 Akai Roger Linn

"The ASQ10 from Akai is my favorite sequencer and is rather rare as it's the sequencer of the MPC 60.

"The groove from this is amazing; it can serve as a central sequencer in a configure. I used it for a long time with several Emulator samplers, on the labels Chronobrain, Taka, Combustible that I had with Guillaume La Tortue and still on my last album on Slapfunk."

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Simon Arblaster
Simon Arblaster
Social Links Navigation
Video Producer & Reviews Editor

I take care of the reviews on MusicRadar and Future Music magazine, though can sometimes be spotted in front of a camera talking little sense in the presence of real musicians. For the past 30 years, I have been unable to decide on which instrument to master, so haven't bothered. Currently, a lover of all things high-gain in the guitar stakes and never one to resist churning out sub-standard funky breaks, the likes of which you'll never hear.

Read more
modeselektor
"The 808 is still one of the sexiest drum machines ever built": Modeselektor on classic Roland gear
 
 
Semtek aka DJ Persuasion
7 great house and techno tips from Don’t Be Afraid label boss Semtek (aka DJ Persuasion)
 
 
MPH
“I got woken up at 3 AM by a fan spamming my DMs. I’m still in disbelief”: UKG phenom MPH on featuring in Thomas Bangalter’s comeback DJ set
 
 
akai mpc
“It’s the heart of my studio”: The story of the Akai MPC, from the MPC60 to the MPC Live III
 
 
roland
"It's the most influential drum machine ever created – and has likely featured on more records than any other": A history of Roland drum machines, from the TR-77 to the TR-1000
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 9: Steve Porcaro performing with 'Toto' at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, California on April 9, 1979. (Photo by Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
"It’s all over Rosanna, all over Africa”: Toto’s Steve Porcaro names his Top 5 synths
 
 
Latest in Synths
The Beatles
This deep dive into a classic Beatles song reveals 4 synth parts that we’d never even noticed before
 
 
nopia
"You don't need to know music theory – Nopia takes care of that": Two years after going viral, this pastel-coloured, harmony-focused synth has finally broken cover
 
 
Gary Numan Cars Video
How to emulate the sound of Gary Numan’s synth-pop classic Cars
 
 
Arturia Pigments 7's updated Play Mode
“Quickly grasp tone, timbre and intention behind each preset”: Arturia Pigments 7’s new reactive UI offers in-app tutorials and lets you visualise every sound
 
 
absynth 6
Native Instruments' Absynth returns – here’s the inside story, with developer Brian Clevinger
 
 
ALM Busy Circuits Pamela's Disco module
ALM Busy Circuits new Pamela’s Disco module lets you sync a Eurorack rig to a CDJ or mixer
 
 
Latest in News
D'Angelo and Prince
D’Angelo was so in awe of Prince that he refused to play his guitar on the one occasion they shared a stage
 
 
Portrait of British musician Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Irish musician Shane MacGowan, the latter of the group the Pogues, as they pose together, each holding a toy gun with one hand and, in the other, a Christmas cracker over an inflatable Santa Claus, 1987.
“In operas, if you have a double aria, it's what the woman does that really matters. The man lies, the woman tells the truth": The story of Fairytale Of New York
 
 
Chris Rea circa 1970
Tell Me There’s A Heaven: Chris Rea has died, aged 74
 
 
Lady Gaga performs during her 'JAZZ & PIANO' residency at Park MGM on August 31, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada
“Being a human being isn’t going to go out of style anytime soon”: Why Lady Gaga is unafraid of AI
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 27: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Alanis Morrisette performs live on stage at The O2 Arena on July 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage for ABA)
Alanis Morissette reveals what she thinks is “the real irony” of the fuss caused by the lyrics in her 1996 hit
 
 
 Morrissey performs at The SSE Arena, Wembley on March 14, 2020 in London, England
Back To The Old House: Morrissey signs again to Warners subsidiary Sire
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...