My Toolbox: Shinichi Osawa

For long-time fans of house music, the name Shinichi Osawa needs no introduction. The Japanese superstar recently launched a new artist project RHYME SO – a duo with Australian-born rapper/poet/model RHYME (Shinichi Osawa is S.O, hence Rhyme So)

RHYME SO makes this very experimental brand of lyric-driven dance-pop.. bucking commercial trends and avoiding cookie-cutter production at all costs. They just released a video this week – “POSEABLE” – shot in a capsule hotel in Tokyo.

They’re also the first artist signed to 88INFINITY, this new Japan-based vertical from 88rising, perhaps the preeminent Asian record label in the world. Below he takes us into his studio to showcase the tools he uses in his productions for a new My Toolbox feature.

Words and photos by Sinichi Osawa

This space is the master studio for everything from pre-production to mixing.

This space is the master studio for everything from pre-production to mixing. I’m running Ableton Live 11 on a Mac Pro 2017, and the interface is analog to SSL’s AWS900 via FOCUSRITE’s REDNET. From there it goes through FATSO + SSL FUSIO, back to the SSL AWS900, and then back to Ableton for mixing. The monitors are KS DIGITAL C-88s with B-88 subwoofers.

The C-88 produces a sound with such high resolution that you might think you can see the sound. Once you start using it, I feel other monitors seem to be hazy.

It shows its true value in combination with the B-88 and C-88, which are capable of expressing considerably more delicate bass sound than conventional studio subwoofers.

I use the analog circuitry of the SSL as a luxurious summing device. I use my DAW to do all the EQ and other stuff unless I have to. Let me repeat, it is a very luxurious summing console.