Welcome to Studio Favorites, a new series where we ask artists to open up their creative toolkits and reveal the gear and software they rely on the most. We’re kicking off with Joakim – a French producer, DJ, composer, and founder of Tigersushi and Crowdspacer, whose genre-defying work has spanned everything from electronica and disco to experimental pop and IDM.

ARP 2600

“To me, this is the Stradivarius of synths – so precise, versatile, musical, and beautiful.”

The ARP 2600 is a semi-modular analog synthesizer originally introduced in the early 1970s. Renowned for its powerful sound design capabilities and iconic filter, it’s been used by everyone from Stevie Wonder to Nine Inch Nails. For Joakim, its expressive tone and flexibility make it a go-to for crafting rich, organic textures in the studio.

E-Mu SP-1200

“My go-to drum machine. Everything sounds better in the SP1200.”

A cornerstone of hip-hop and electronic production since the late ’80s, the E-Mu SP-1200 is prized for its gritty, 12-bit sampling engine and punchy tone. Joakim turns to this classic for drum programming, loops, and that unmistakable old-school flavor.

Effectron II

“A cheap and amazing-sounding flanger/delay. Got the tip from Erol Alkan who got it from the Chemical Brothers!”

The Deltalab Effectron II might be a sleeper pick, but it’s a favorite among in-the-know producers for a reason. This vintage rack-mounted delay and flanger unit delivers warm, characterful modulation – perfect for adding movement and depth to synths, vocals, or drum loops.

Logic Overdrive Plugin

“I use this so much – it’s amazing at making something too thin or digital sound bigger and warmer. It’s a great soft limiting tool too.”

A built-in plugin in Apple’s Logic Pro, the Overdrive effect is simple but powerful. Whether you’re trying to fatten up a weak signal or give a digital sound some analog-style warmth, this tool helps Joakim shape mixes with punch and character.

Max for Live

“There’s so much you can do with Max plugins – from adding life into your MIDI, FX, or audio to going full-on Autechre.”

Max for Live is a powerful platform inside Ableton Live that lets users create custom instruments, effects, and MIDI tools. Joakim uses it to inject unpredictability and nuance into his productions, making it a must-have for experimental sound design.

Follow Joakim on Echio to explore his workshops and to get music feedback on your music.