Plugged In: Mark Henning

Plugged In: Mark Henning

14 February, 2011 | 1.49AM

• Written by: Beatport Mike
• Filed under: Music News: mark henning, plugged in

Mark Henning has experienced quite a steady rise to fame since the former 9-to-5 corporate office slave turned in his necktie noose for a pair of Technics 1200s. His recent EPs for Zurich’s Cityfox and Berlin’s Little Helpers has shown a fresh production aesthetic, a sound oozing with analogue warmth and tripped-out sounds. We reached out to Henning for a quick peek inside his studio, to find out what’s happening amidst the machines and effects.

Keep reading to find out what Henning has been using to craft such techy treasures.

Mark Henning, “Furious George” [Cityfox]

Roland Jupiter 6

What is it?

It’s a six-voice vintage analog synthesizer made in 1984 that sounds very cool indeed. Every single parameter on the synth is accessed via a slider or knob. They are pretty expensive and rare, but if you really want one then you’ll find one somewhere. Mine is fitted with a modification (Europa mod) which gives it some really cool extra functionality,such as the ability to save presets to your computer, a randomizer function, and an extended arpeggiator. It’s a great all-around synth and you can program everything from basses to pads to weird soundscapes and sci fi bleeps. The sound is huge and I will never, ever, ever sell it.

When did you acquire yours?

I bought mine in 2009 from a US thrift store on eBay. I was really lucky and got an amazing deal—the postage accounted for almost half the price I paid.

How do you use it?

Since buying it I’ve been progressively using it more and more. Currently it’s the key feature in all my tracks. I use it for basses, strings, chords, and weird noises. I route it through my mixing desk and then through various software and hardware FX (e.g. reverbs, delays). I love to jam with the filter - that’s my favourite part of the synth for sure! Though I have to be careful not to over-do it, otherwise all my bass lines start sounding like Ed Rush and Optical - which would be great if I was making D&B but its not everyone’s cup of tea! I usually sequence it from Ableton, though I really want to get a hardware sequencer (such as the SND SAM-16) which would allow me to get really creative. My current style of production has progressed to a point where I wouldn’t be able to work without a synth like this. I suppose I’d buy a newschool analogue synth by Dave Smith or something if I couldn’t get my hands on one.

Jomox Xbase 888

What is it?

It’s an analogue drum machine with nine instruments (kick drum, snare, hi tom, lo tom, clap, hats, rim, crash and ride) and an internal step sequencer. Not all the instruments are analogue - some of them are sample-based but are routed through an analogue envelope. So you can also upload your own samples to it, too, which is a really great feature. I’m not sure when it was first made, but I think its been around for a good few years. You don’t see too many of them around but they aren’t vintage. Mine has been customized with some metal rotary knobs which are more precise and durable.

Did you get it new?

I bought mine in 2009 off eBay in Germany.

How do you use it?

I use mine in the studio as well as live. At home I route all of the instrument outputs through my desk and into my soundcard. All the inputs form a group in Ableton so that I can apply FX such as compressors , EQs, and reverbs over the whole buss, as well as individual FX on each input. Live, I just use the main stereo output to jam over tracks and loops in Ableton. I use it for 80% of all my drums currently. The kick is especially fat and sits well in the mix. Without it my percussion would definitely sound weaker.

FL Studio (aka Fruityloops)

What is it?

It’s a software sequencer or DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) as people like to call them these days. It’s existed since at least 1998, which is when I started using it. A lot of pro artists use it, despite its reputation as just a toy.

How do you use it?

Up until two years ago I produced all my tracks exclusively with FL Studio - every EP, remix, and even my first album. But after 10 years I got annoyed with the sequencing functionality and also its ability to use long sections of audio and integrate with external gear. Now I use it as a virtual drum machine, rewired to Ableton. It’s great for auditioning lots of samples quickly and testing ideas - and the sound engine is actually very, very good (despite what people say!). Finishing tracks with it is a pain, though, and other DAWs like Ableton or Logic are far more flexible when it comes to automation and detailed sequencing.

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