My Studio Setup: Inside the Void
By Alexander Kumar • March 11, 2026 • 6 min read
People ask about my setup all the time. Rather than type it out every time, here's the full tour of my studio in the DMV.
The Core
- Interface: Universal Audio Apollo x8
- DAW: Ableton Live Suite + FL Studio
- Monitor Speakers: Yamaha HS8
- Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Outboard
- Channel Strip: SSL Fusion — the color section is magic
- Preamp: Avalon 737sp — classic vocal pre
- Compressor: Empress Para
Synths & Instruments
- Analog Synth: Moog Subsequent 37
- Microphone: Neumann TLM 103
- MIDI Controller: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol
Software Stack
- EQ: FabFilter Pro-Q 3
- Compression: SSL Native Bus Compressor, FabFilter Pro-C 2
- Saturation: FabFilter Saturn 2, Soundtoys Decapitator
- Mastering: iZotope Ozone 11, FabFilter Pro-L 2
- Repair: iZotope RX 10
The Workflow
I work in Ableton for production—fast workflow, great for experimentation. FL Studio stays open for piano MIDI editing (it's just better at that). Everything records through the Apollo, processing through SSL Fusion for color.
The Moog is my secret weapon for bass. That warm, thick low-end hits different than any VST. I run it through the Avalon pre for some color before hitting the converters.
Why This Setup
I prioritized color over everything. Modern production can sound sterile. I wanted a setup that adds warmth and character at the source, not just fixes it in the mix.
The SSL Fusion does this better than anything I've tried. It's subtle, but everything passing through it gets a little more "alive."
Want to work with this setup? Check out my services →