My Highlights of the Year 2024: Concerts, Parties and New Gear for my Studio!
Lots of G.A.S., partying, dancing and making music - that was my year
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My Highlights of the Year 2024: Concerts, Parties and New Gear for my Studio! · Source: Marcus Schmahl
It was another year of cool events and interesting equipment, great instruments and, above all, music: these are my highlights of the year 2024.
My Highlights of the Year – Marcus
Concerts, Festivals and Clubs
Contrary to all the media reports about dying venues, cancelled events and insolvent promoters, I was very surprised to see so many fans and people at so many different events this year. Most of them were sold out. That’s the way it should be, it’s the only way to make it fun for the audience and the artists on stage! I really hope that the predictions of the death of clubs and festivals that are currently floating around in forums and magazines do not come true.
One of my highlights of the year 2024 was definitely the concert by electronic music duo Underworld, who still rocked the stage and packed the hall. The two played old classics and new tracks from their repertoire for almost three hours non-stop and with at least 150% commitment. There were also crazy video animations and a perfectly coordinated light show. A standing area for dancing is a must. I’m already looking forward to their next tour!
Like every year (and now for my 20th time!) I visited the Amsterdam Dance Event for GEARNEWS in 2024. It’s a really great event in one of my favourite cities. Once again, all the hotels in the city were fully booked, most of the events had an entrance stop – it was one big party, one hell of a happening of international fans, agencies, music industry manufacturers and artists of the electronic music scene. It was yet another hugely successful event and definitely one of the highlights of the year, one that I have fond memories of – and still need to catch up on sleep.
Ableton Live 12 and Move
For me, as a die-hard fan, the software release of the year was the new version of Ableton Live 12. It has a number of new features that I have been waiting for for years, as well as some very cool new effects, instruments and sequencers. Combined with Push, Live 12 is the control centre and master of my studio, which is actually analogue equipped. And it works perfectly, so I can concentrate on making music.
Another surprise and definitely one of my highlights of the year has been Move. Since its release, this ‘little’ piece of hardware has been my mobile Ableton Live in miniature, recording song ideas or new creations on the go or on the sofa. With a single click, the Move project is on my Mac Studio where I can perfect it. Awesome!
FabFilter Pro-Q 4
A surprise software release this year is definitely another highlight of my studio year. After several years, FabFilter released a new version of their world famous plug-in, FabFilter Pro-Q 4 Equalizer. And of course it came with a host of new features and improvements. In particular, the update incorporates many of the user ideas requested in the forums. Very nice!
I particularly like the new workflow that makes it so much easier to draw an EQ curve. The new Instance List is a dream come true for Pro-Q 4 power users (like me).
Teenage Engineering OP-XY
The price of this little grey box has attracted a lot of criticism – but that’s typical of Teenage Engineering. However, the small development team has once again outdone themselves with the OP-XY. It’s been a long time since I’ve sat in front of an all-in-one music machine for so long (even weeks later!) with my mouth open in amazement, making music and losing track of time. The possibilities for creating complete songs are almost endless.
Stuck for a bassline or hook idea? No problem with OP-XY. Effects, automation, live performance, external device integration, sound design and more? Still no problem for the machine. And according to TE, the limits are far from being reached. New features, new synthesizers, new possibilities will follow with firmware updates – I’m very excited and looking forward to the next updates. OP-XY is at the top of the list of my highlights of the year 2024!
Elektron Digitakt II
Actually, I had already used all the Elektron boxes the Swedes had ever introduced in my studio. And of course (as an electronic music producer) I was right to do so. Unfortunately, the workflow didn’t suit me very well, as I mainly work with various synthesizers and Ableton Live in my projects. Personally, electronic instruments demand too much of my attention and you usually work ‘in-the-box’. It’s not for me, but it can be an advantage.
The Digitakt II, introduced in May, has tempted me again. And yes, it definitely rocks. With the latest Overbridge update, it works perfectly with my Mac studio and integrates very well into my projects. The sound is great, sometimes a little too fat. The effects and programming options are unbelievably good. Add to that the small form factor. If you are looking for a good sampler with an extravagant sequencer and probably one of your forthcoming highlights of the year, this is the one for you.
Tube-Tech SMC 2B
After much deliberation, the legendary Tube-Tech SMC 2B multiband compressor is one of the latest additions to my studio and one of my highlights of the year. And I have no regrets about the investment. It now sits in my outboard effects rack for mixing and mastering in its typical blue colour and does a damn good job.
I process the mids and highs separately and get really great results. And with lots of character. But the hardware is also really fun to use on individual tracks, such as synth lines, vocals or hi-hat/percussion tracks (mid-side routed), and it really takes it up a notch compared to software emulations.
Behringer Syncussion SY-1
For me and my music, this is the Behringer clone of the year. The Syncussion SY-1 two-voice percussion synthesizer sounds absolutely authentic and I can integrate it perfectly into my sessions via MIDI or CV. Despite a few parameters and minimal features (just like the original), I always create new grooves with cool sounds that fit perfectly into my tracks. For the price, it’s definitely a great addition to the studio – a no-brainer for techno/house/melodic techno producers like myself.
Sequentix Cirklon Hardware Sequencer
As I already mentioned in my tops and flops article end of October, I was (finally) able to buy the Sequentix Cirklon hardware sequencer after several years of waiting. And of course with a CV extension for my modular system. After a few weeks of use, I have integrated the sequencer into my workflow and can’t do without it anymore – this hardware is one of my highlights of the year 2024!
Instruments and effects can be controlled remotely via MIDI, CV or USB (via Ableton Live). And it’s all totally in sync with the song tempo (my master is Live), with its own groove and parameter lock for programmable parameters of the connected instrument. Yes! It’s great for jamming, generating new ideas, or just adding some movement to a track.
Conclusion of my 2024 Highlights
Of course, these are just a few of my highlights of the year. As a writer for GEARNEWS, you are constantly being reinfected with G.A.S. every day, so there is a lot to talk about. You can find out more about me and my music here.
I hope you also had a great musical year in 2024 and some interesting highlights of the year. Feel free to post them in the comments below or on Facebook/Instagram. I’ll read along. I’m really looking forward to 2025 and what new music releases the coming year has to offer. With that said, have a great new year!
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