The multi-instrumentalist and producer, Tyler Lyons, shares his musical journey with the RME Fireface UCX as a constant
Los Angeles, CA— May 25, 2022 — Tyler Lyons, a Pennsylvania native, grew up in the digital era where garage bands had access to the technology and software to produce their own tracks. As a multi-instrumentalist and creator, Lyons had a passion for creating with a lifelong dream of moving to Los Angeles to pursue his music career. The young musician was desperate to create, but was nervous to dive into mixing and the production side of recording. In the early stages, Lyons navigated through the overwhelming feelings creative control presented, he struggled to find the balance. To level up his artistry, Tyler Lyons knew that using the right gear would directly affect his skill level and also the caliber of his recording, it all clicked when he began using the RME Fireface UCX with TotalMix.
California Dreaming
“As a drummer and multi-instrumentalist, the half-rack Fireface enabled me to record all aspects and instruments on-the-go. I instantly heard a sonic progression in my song writing, production and mixing. For us home studio mixers, there is no room for mediocre sound,” Lyons affirms. The RME Fireface UCX has been in Tyler Lyons’ kit for over a decade now. After graduating from the University of The Arts in Philadelphia, PA Lyons took the RME with him when he moved to Los Angeles in 2015. No longer restrained by fear, Lyons embraced his role as a producer/engineer in Los Angeles while also dedicating time composing music for film and TV, teaching private classical and jazz music lessons, and collaborating with other songwriters and instrumentalists.
“My rig has helped me master TotalMix, how to use effect busing, how to route the gear within my studio, how to externalize all of my MIDI synthesizers, and all of my MIDI clocks. All of that with this little box. I could go into the garage, play the drums and record with eight mics. As a multi-instrumentalist (piano, drums, bass, guitar and vocals,) I could do it all myself.” Once Lyons met a singer songwriter, Sean Kolar, the pair recognized combining their talents would deliver something special. Together they formed the Alt/Pop band called Midnight Village. The band operates out of a downtown Los Angeles studio space that is setup with Lyons’ rig. Together the band co-writes the songs and lyrics alongside Canadian recording artist/songwriter Lilianna Wilde. Lyons lays down the instrumental tracks and acts as the main producer/engineer. “I knew with the Fireface and a computer, we can create and produce anything, anywhere.”
The band didn’t stop creating despite the restrictions brought on by the global pandemic. “Once we were all forced to be distant, we utilized the Fireface to compile guitar overdubs, record vocal harmonies and begin full songs. I’d take a vocal part from Sean’s phone and re-record it through the mic/pre of the RME along with some compression and EQ to print a better-quality mix,” Lyons continued. The MIDI breakout cable even allowed Lyons to connect synths at recording studios that they booked for sessions.
Sonically Clear Songs
Now that the world has opened back up, Lyons is taking full advantage of the flexibility the RME gear offers. “Recently, we flew to Nashville for some shows and writing sessions, I easily fit the Fireface in my bag. All of my devices and cables basically still use USB, so the fact that we have this much power in a compatible box that boasts studio quality sound is incredible. We even used the RME interface to finalize mixes with headphones on our laptop in a rental car while driving through Kentucky.”
With live shows ramping back up, Midnight Village is prepared to perform new songs from their upcoming EP “Save Me A Seat In Your Mind” dropping on July 1, 2022. “Throughout the pandemic we learned how to use the Fireface’s multiple outputs to send our backing tracks, synths, effects, and bass to front of house and monitors for our gigs. I learned how to setup our own personal mixes and saved different snapshots on TotalMix that make it almost too easy to setup what is otherwise a stressful and technical task.”
“I don’t think I would’ve been able to make the move to L.A without it,” the songwriter concludes. “I don’t know where I’d be if I was still afraid of mixing and of messing up. The Fireface alleviated my worries and made my songs sonically clear. The UCX boosted my confidence and enabled me the creative freedom to experiment with mixing. I have my own studio now that I use to record and produce for Midnight Village and for other artists. I use the RME every day, it’s on right now as we speak.”
Midnight Village will release their second single “All You Gotta Know” on Friday, June 3rd off their debut EP, “Save Me A Seat In Your Mind”, as a follow-up to the first single that dropped, titled, “Catch a Flight.” The band’s EP will be released on July 1st, 2022. To see more of Midnight Village, visit their Instagram,Facebook, TikTok, Youtube or listen to their new single on Apple Music, Spotify or Soundcloud.
For more on RME, visit rme-usa.com
About Synthax, Incorporated
Synthax Inc. is the exclusive USA distributor for RME digital audio solutions, Digigram broadcast audio systems, Appsys digital audio tools, Ferrofish advanced audio applications, myMix personal monitoring systems and ALVA cableware. We supply a nationwide network of dealers with these products for professional audio, broadcast, music industry, commercial audio, theater, military and government applications. For additional information, visit the company online at http://www.synthax.com.
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