Open Labs NeKo Gen4 LX In Studio And On Stage With Producer / Performer Kwamé
Though Kwamé started his professional musical journey as a recording artist (his debut album, Kwamé The Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year), these days Kwamé is best known as a producer. He is constantly working with artists such as: Keisha Cole, Christina Aquilera, Talib Kweli, Mya, and a host of others.
While he may have been more active as a producer in recent years, Kwamé is still a performer, and he'll be celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album, Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring A New Beginning, this year. This reporter remembers when that record first came out. Kwamé is younger than me, and yet he was releasing a major recording when I was sitting in a squalid apartment in Gainesville, Florida likely trying to operate a beer bong.
One of the main weapons in Kwamé's production and live arsenal has been the Open Labs Neko Gen 4 LX workstation keyboard, so we decided to pick his brain about it:
Tell me what drew you to the Open Labs NeKo in the first place.
I love new keyboard sounds and I love my "go to" boards. The Neko allows me to download all my new VSTs and copy the sounds form my "go to" keys and have everything on one work space, including vocal recording and mixing.
What is the single best feature of the Neko LX?
The single best feature is the "Mimic" program. I can jack any sound from any module.
Is there anything you would change about it?
If I could change anything, I would have it Mac-based because I prefer using Mac computers. Also, I would have a way to be able to use any Neko or Meko [ed. note: Open Labs' other workstation keyboard model] that I can rent when I travel. The Neko is heavy as hell and doesn't fit so well into carry-on luggage!
Describe how you use the Neko LX while working in the studio? Talk about using it on a "typical" song.
The way I use the Neko is a mixture of old and new school. I love the MPC 2000XL and a few of my analog modules, so via a program called "Reaper" it allows me to use the Neko as a MIDI key controller and a stand-alone. I sequence and do all my drums / samples through the MPC. I use the Neko for the rest. Add my outside modules and live instruments and I become "Sonically Incredible!" Ha ha!
How about the learning curve? Is it tough to get the hang of?
The learning curve was easy. I was able to call open labs and, via the WiFi connection on the Neko, they set everything up remotely and I was up and running in twenty minutes, tops! Big shouts to Dave and Matt at open Labs along with Rick Young at the Beat Factory PA for connecting me with the company!
What about value for the money?
For the value -- I paid around 8k, fully tricked out -- I didn't even trip about it. I've done so much great quality work with the help of the Neko I made my money back well over!
Currently Kwamé is working on or gearing up for a few new projects:
"I'm in a few production zones: Estelle, Cee Lo, my hip hop artist Beyond Belief and a new pop artist on Geffen UK, Jade Ewen. I also run a charity with my wife called HipHop4Life."
Post new comment