![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.synthax.co.uk\/latest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Alex-Jann-iConnectivity-Studio-rig_lg-scaled.webp\")
<\/div>\nProducer and Censor Music label boss Alex Jann gives us his thoughts on studio setups, running a label, and building his studio around RME, Ferrofish and iConnectivity.<\/h2>\n
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Studio Gear & Workflow<\/h2>\n
Alex Jann is an Electro and Techno producer based in the South East of the UK. Discovering a love of electronic music as a teenager, he’s been producing for several decades, releasing on a number of different record labels before starting his own imprint Censor Music back in 2017.<\/p>\n
Alex’s studio is a carefully curated space built over years of collecting \u2013 a hybrid setup of vintage classics and modern, cutting-edge machines.<\/p>\n
Central to his workflow is the RME Fireface UFX III audio interface<\/a>, which takes care of the core routing, conversion and monitoring. This is expanded via MADI with a Ferrofish A32pro Dante<\/a>, providing additional I\/O across his extensive collection of instruments and hardware FX, as well as providing a route onto a Dante network.<\/p>\n There’s also a Ferrofish Pulse 16 in the mix for extra connectivity, and an RME M-32 Pro DA<\/a>, which handles recording in and out of his analogue summing mixer to round off this powerful hybrid system.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t really use a console anymore,\u201d Alex explains. \u201cThe RME and Ferrofish gear give me super clean conversion and loads of flexibility. I run a MADI loop from the UFX III into the M-32 and A32pro, and that takes care of everything – from summing to guest machines. It’s super-low latency, so I can track directly while monitoring in real time, or use TotalMix’s direct-monitoring if I’m just jamming.\u201d<\/p>\n For Alex, staying creative means having a studio setup that\u2019s always ready to go – with everything labelled and connected, there’s no wasting precious studio time on troubleshooting or trying to fix problems.<\/p>\n At the core of this approach is RME’s TotalMix FX software mixer, which he says he essentially uses as a digital patchbay. \u201cAll my inputs and outputs are clearly labelled, so whether I\u2019m sending a synth to a specific channel, routing audio through the summing mixer, or recording vocals, I can see everything instantly and send it anywhere with just a fader.\u201d<\/p>\n Most of Alex\u2019s tracks start life on the Sequentix Cirklon, which acts as the brain of the studio. \u201cAll my synths are routed through it, so I can build up full tracks in scenes and then just hit record. I treat Ableton more like a tape machine at that point – it\u2019s a really fluid way of working.\u201d<\/p>\n In terms of instruments, Alex has all of the dance classics: Roland TR-909, TR-808, TB-303 (and the often overlooked MC-202), as well as custom builds like the HK TR-707\/727 hybrid, and a modified MPC 2500 for sampling. Then there’s the modern favourites like Elektron\u2019s Analog Rytm, Digitone, and an ALM modular rig with MUM M8 filter and Squid Salmple modules.<\/p>\n He’s equally stacked for synths \u2013 Roland D-50, an SH-101, Oberheim OB-X8, Prophet-6, Prophet-10 and more, plus a selection of effects and pedals from Eventide and Lexicon; choice 500-series units like the Harrison 32C+; and his recently acquired Cranbourne Audio Carnaby HE2.<\/p>\n In the box, it\u2019s mostly Ableton Live, with Logic and Pro Tools on hand if needed. \u201cAbleton\u2019s flexibility is a big part of how I work,\u201d Alex says. \u201cI love how simple the interface is, and it just makes sense for both writing and translating into live sets.\u201d Plugins include bits from UAD, Soundtoys, and a growing mix of newer developers \u2013 though Alex says he often just uses stock plugins, which helps keep the CPU loads down.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m actually planning a new immersive live rig around two RME MADIfaces and the Ferrofish A32pro Dante, alongside a DirectOut EXBOX.MD<\/a>. It\u2019s a very powerful system for routing audio to my analogue I\/O, and to and from the drum machines, synths and mixer. But it also has a wealth of MADI channels that can be routed via the EXBOX.MD into Dante to feed a D&B Soundscape system.”<\/p>\n “I’ll be running two Macs with the MADIfaces, and using the multiple MADI Ins and Outs on the DirectOut for a really solid redundant rig.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n