Discover the raw and refreshing sounds of GREGBLU: A Gear Tour –

Get ready to dive into the world of GREGBLU, an up-and-coming alternative hip-hop artist making waves with his refreshingly raw sound and DIY approach to music production.

He has already attracted the attention of music critics and fans alike with the release of his debut album GREGS DEMO TAPE. GREGBLU’s music is a unique blend of synthesized sounds, memorable bass lines and clever lyrics that address issues ranging from personal struggles to societal issues.

But what sets GREGBLU apart from other artists in the alternative hip-hop genre is his hands-on approach to music creation. Not only does he write and perform his own tracks, but he also handles the production process from start to finish. In this article, we take a closer look at the gear GREGBLU uses to create its signature sound. From his laptop to his keyboard collection, we explore the tools that make GREGBLU’s music stand out in a crowded field of talented artists.

A laptop is the most important part of a setup that can function smoothly. I am currently using a ROG ZEPHYRUS laptop.

The laptop is made for gaming, but I choose to use it for making music, waiting for videos, and even Photoshop. It is the heart of the entire operation.

Second piece of equipment:

As for recording and monitoring, I use a somewhat cheap setup. I use the Focusrite Scarelett Studio setup. It comes with a 2-in-2-out USB audio interface, a condenser microphone and headphones.

I call it a bit cheap setup because for the price you get everything you need to make a full song. Most people I know opt for more expensive gear, especially when it comes to recording vocals.

But on this project I wanted that raw sound and I want to show people that you don’t need the most expensive recording tools to make songs.

Keyboards:

I have a total of 4 keyboards. 2 midi keyboards, 1 analog synthesizer and 1 workstation keyboard.

2 midi keyboards.

1: Well for most of the music I make I usually use this little guy for everything. The Akai MPK mini is my go-to choice for making daily beats.

So easy to use and fun. I must add that it is visually appealing. You can link parameters to knobs and do live automation, it’s pretty cool. You typically see these keyboards in most setups from any producer.

2nd: The second midi keyboard I have is the Komplete Kontrol M32.

I love using this keyboard with native instrument plugins like Kontakt because the controls on it are automatically mapped to the parameters set within the plugins.

That makes it a try-plug-and-play keyboard. The buttons also feel very good. I have 32 keys, a few more than the Akai, which helps me hit some notes I normally couldn’t either.

1 analog synth

Korg Minilogue xd:

So I’ll be honest, we’re all guilty of buying gear only to barely use it in the long run. That’s the case for me with the Korg. However, I still use it from time to time for leads to songs and whatnot.

As with track 3 on “GREG’S DEMO”, you hear a piercing lead at the end. Yes that was it guys. It’s really fun to use and there’s no lag so it kicks off as soon as you press a button.

That’s the fun of analogue. Plus all the buttons and different effects just make me kind of like a scientist in a lab. I love experimenting with this and will definitely use it more often in the future

Last keyboard

Yamaha MODX 6: This keyboard is my favorite. It’s so smart and even has a touchscreen, which is crazy to see how far they’ve come in technology with keyboards.

I love using this keyboard because I can get a really good sounding almost lifelike orchestral sound or a really good analog sound with just a push of a button.

The keyboard uses samples and synth engines to create some of the coolest sounds ever, and it’s all digital which is crazy.

Also the little glowing button on it just makes it look cool haha. But track 6, my self-titled track, was made entirely with this keyboard.

GREGBLU’s new album is out now: