Salami Rose Joe Louis Recommends

The amazing musician and producer Lindsay Olsen, aka Salami Rose Joe Louis recommends some studio essentials.

Her album Lorings is out April 25th via Brainfeeder. Link.

Photos by Kevin Kison.

Salami Rose Joe Louis in home studio by Kevin Kison.

1. Roland MV-8800

I started writing about the Roland MV-8800 and it was veering so dramatically into unhinged love letter territory that I had to dial it back. But in summary, I live and die by the MV-8800. They have been my one and only DAW since 2014 and I just keep buying them, recklessly. Endless fun!

This is what I adore about them:

They are like a computer DAW but with certain limitations. I think this is a superpower, because one can focus on the basics: panning and EQ, songwriting and selective layering. You can only do eight audio tracks, MIDI is infinite though. I find that when working in computers, I am easily distracted by plugins and layering vocals to excess, so having these limitations is really helpful for staying focused!
The stock MIDI sounds on the MV-8800 are unbelievable. Some of my favorite sounds of all time. I use them on everything [laughs]. “Epmk5”, “L and H”, “soft vibes”, to name a few favorites.
After mixing down your track, there is a mastering function on the MV-8800 and it really glues things together in a warm way.
Something about a dynamic mic running direct into the MV-8800 is magic–it has been my vocal formula for my discography.
I have been making custom MIDI patches on the MV-8800 by sampling other synths and effecting each chop, another fun function!
They hook up to a monitor and everything looks like Tetris, which is a huge win.

2. Arturia Polybrute

I remember trying one of these right before I left for a tour in 2021; it plagued my mind for the duration of the tour. I accidentally spent my entire tour earnings on one as soon as I got back [laughs]. They are so powerful! In stereo they sound massive and full. There is a fun morph knob that slowly transitions from one set of parameters to another. There is also this “morphee” touch sensitive pad that basically FXs parameters on a 3D graph. It is so cool. I have used it all over the last three albums and also tried taking it on tour, which is ill advised because it is unbelievably heavy.

3. Arturia Minifreak

I got this one for touring as it is small, light, and powerful. It sounds amazing in stereo. I also love the sequencer, which has a fun 'spice and dice' function, where you 'roll a dice' and it accents the sequence differently according to the roll. I am really impressed by this synth. It can get freaky and weird in ways that are excellent, but it is controllable enough that one can experiment live without running the risk of creating some crazy feedback or sound that runs away from you.

4. Yamaha CP-70B

I love playing something that doesn’t need to be plugged in or turned on. Feels so historical [laughs]. Light some candles and you really have yourself a moment. The CP-70B is so twinkly and majestic and you really feel like you are playing a piano, it overflows with atmosphere. Another bonus is you can record it direct–at this point you have to turn it on–without mic-ing it. It is a gem!

5. Casio SK- 60 32-key

My first instrument and still heavy in rotation. You can sample your voice into this puppy to make custom patches. It’s a whammer jammer. The demo song is also such a bop.

6. microKorg

You can really go wild on these [laughs]. I like how cutting, present, and distinct they are. They are like iconic little dinosaurs. I used them a lot on my record Zdenka 2080.

7. A dynamic mic

I got a dynamic mic about 12 years ago for under $100 and I have used it for every vocal since. Everyone has their own special mic and way of recording vocals. I know this may not be for everyone, especially as I know my sound is pretty lofi, but I definitely think these can be a powerful, affordable option! I really like the way the mic sounds recorded into the MV-8800 and doubled.

8. Guitar

I can’t play guitar very well, but I love having it around for songwriting. It feels so fun to play and it brings out different emotions, perspectives, soundscapes.

9. Access Virus Ti

This is my latest synth. I just got it and so far I am pretty obsessed. The sound palette is super shiny and unique and it looks like you can do a lot with it. I am still getting acquainted, but have already recorded at least a dozen songs with it.

10. Clarinet or something similar!

I like having instruments that require breath to make sound. It is very therapeutic and relaxing. If ever I am feeling disconnected from my instruments, this is a really nice way to tap back in. You are very tangibly and physically connected with your instrument when you have to breathe in it to make the sound happen.

11. Paints

I am a very visual person and sometimes I need to draw or paint to visualize what sound I want to make or to lull me into a creative and open headspace. It also has been really nice to paint during breaks. Often, when making something, I need to step away for a second to get a little ear rest and perspective —especially during mixing. Painting has been a nice activity during these breaks, allowing the brain to process and calibrate while focusing on something else.

12. Books

Having books around the studio is really helpful for inspiration lyrically. I like to keep a notebook and jot down certain words or concepts I find interesting and want to explore. Currently reading a book about Hildegard of Bingen, what a legend!

Synth History Exclusive.

Photos provided by Salami Rose Joe Louis and shot by Kevin Kison.

Conducted by Danz.