The Sonic Realm of Joker: Liam Mclean’s Studio Deep Dive

The Creative Space

Nestled in a flat high up in an East Bristol tower block, Liam Mclean’s studio isn’t the average bedroom setup. Thick slabs of Rockwool sound treatment cover every inch of the wall, save for a set of flush, precision-placed monitors, and a hardware console that dominates the middle of the room. With synths relegated to the hall outside, Mclean’s rig is packed with the kind of top-end EQs, compressors and other arcane tools that lurk in the highest heights of audio processing. From his extensive list of mastering work to his own dubstep productions, this is where Mclean does all his work as Joker.

The Sonic Environment

He extends a warm welcome despite having only just woken up for the early afternoon interview. He pulls out a section of the insulation to reveal the window, letting in a little sunlight and fresh air, but otherwise we’re completely encased in his exacting sonic environment. It’s a space he’s refined over time since he embarked on a mission to make his production the best it can possibly be.

The Evolution of Sound

“I was never bothered about writing a cool idea or getting some chords out of my head, but sonically, I couldn’t always pull it where I wanted it to be,” Mclean admits. “I reached a point 10 years ago where I’d listen to old records of mine and go, ‘How the fuck can an old record sound better than the stuff I’m doing now?’ There’s a combination of certain things that made it work — certain rooms I had, or where the speakers were set up.”

The Musical Journey

Growing up through UK garage’s metamorphosis into dubstep and grime, Mclean landed his first release as Joker at 17 years old in 2007. Fuelled by the influence of chiptune video game soundtracks and R&B, the sound he was pushing alongside kindred spirits like Gemmy and Guido brought a dazzling melodic sensibility to the scene, and its influence is still felt now. Growing through his own Kapsize label, and making the leap to indie giant 4AD for a debut album in 2011, Joker seemed on track to ride his immensely popular, accessible twist on dubstep to ever greater success.

FAQs

Q: How did Joker’s musical style evolve over the years?

A: Joker’s music evolved from influences like chiptune video game soundtracks and R&B, bringing a unique melodic sensibility to the dubstep scene.

Q: What equipment does Joker use in his studio?

A: Joker’s studio is equipped with top-end EQs, compressors, and other high-quality audio processing tools.

Q: What is Joker’s approach to making his music production the best it can be?

A: Joker focuses on refining his sonic environment and constantly improving his sound to achieve the highest quality in his music production.