In our latest feature, Jamiroquai’s Matt Johnson records his world-class playing through the Neve 88M audio interface & 88C desktop compressor. The songwriter and producer also talks us through his career, the gear inside his home studio, and his love the Neve Sound.
Matt’s Early Career
Matt Johnson’s route into professional music was earned the old-fashioned way. Starting out in bands in Bournemouth at 16, he spent a year busking in London before gradually working his way into the circle of musicians playing the big gigs. A recommendation from legendary London drummer Frank Tonto led to an audition with Miss Dynamite, which in turn brought him to the attention of former Jamiroquai members Simon Katz and Stuart Zander. When keyboard player Toby left, Johnson’s name went into the ring. He got the gig.
Jamiroquai and the Neve 1073
Ask Matt Johnson about his relationship with Neve, and he takes you straight to one record.
“The Automaton album by Jamiroquai, which I produced. That’s the biggest album for me.”
Automaton was recorded at Jay Kay’s own studio, where a full rack of 1073s formed the backbone of the signal chain.
“Pretty much everything went through the 1073, and I really got to know the sound of Neve when I was doing that album.”
For Johnson, recording that album gave him a deep appreciation for the Neve Sound. “There’s this beautiful soft sheen to the high end that comes out. It’s also got a very nice extended low end.”
It’s a description he returns to later. “We’re all really familiar with it, whether we know it or not. Most classic records have got some Neve on them. For me, it’s always that silky top end. Really lovely extended, warm low end as well. That’s the blueprint of the Neve Sound.”
The Neve 88M & 88C Combination
Building His Own Studio
Johnson now works from a home studio he built himself, a space centred around a Vintage Vibe electric piano, with his Yamaha Montage as the master keyboard. Some of Johnson’s other favourite pieces include a Minimoog, Jupiter-8, Moog One, and the classic Solina. The room handles everything: YouTube content, sessions, writing and practicing.
“When I first moved here, I was 50/50 — should I just get a place in London? And I’m so happy I decided to build this room.”
Getting the Neve 88M
The 88M came into the picture through a specific need. When on tour, Johnson works alongside world-class musicians, and often wants to capture ideas and recordings in the dressing room without compromising on quality.
“I’m working with all these great musicians, I make my own music, and if I’ve got a guitarist from Jamiroquai in the dressing room, I’d love to get him on something. But I don’t want it poorly recorded. I want the best quality.”
The 88M is the ideal solution. Portable, transformer-equipped, and no software to wrestle with.
“You just plug it in and it works. No software. That is a big selling point for me. It’s got the transformers in it, it’s got the Neve sound. It sounds fantastic.”
During the session, the 88M runs into the Neve 88C compressor for tracking. “You can use it as an insert from the preamp, which is what we’ve been doing today. Sounds great.”
From recording Jamiroquai albums to sessions on the road, when one of the world’s finest keys players needs to capture the moment, he reaches for Neve.
Matt Johnson Recording with the Neve 88M & 88C
Discover more about the 88M & 88C: 88 Range
Follow Matt Johnson on YouTube: @MattJohnsonskeyspace
