On June 19, 2014 Dubspot + Subatomic Sound System hosted a dub music and culture workshop here in Los Angeles. SUBPAC was there to deliver the physical dimension of sound by adding SUBPAC S1’s into the chairs of 20 lucky attendees. Dubspot instructor and Subatomic Sound System’s Emch and KCRW’s Jeremy Sole kicked off the event with a brief discussion around the history and evolution of dub music, how the genre of dub has manifested in today’s contemporary music, and how it influences Jeremy’s DJ sets on KCRW and in his club sets. The headline speakers are two prolific pioneers in the world of dub music, Adrian Sherwood and Mad Professor. We were incredibly fortunate to have them there in person to educate the crowd and to share their personal experiences as innovators in the Dub and reggae fields for nearly three decades.
During the workshop, Adrian Sherwood focused on demonstrating the use of analog Dub effects with a traditional analog mixing board, and how to shape and control the delays and reverbs that he is so famous for. A few lucky attendees were invited to join Sherwood onstage and participate in a live dub session with him – an extremely rare honor when you consider the man’s reputation and musical output.
Sherwood then led a candid discussion on what he likes most about the equipment he uses and what he sees most often used by other producers involved in the dub music genre over the decades.Throughout the workshop Sherwood, a big SUBPAC supporter, who has described the SUBPAC as “the most useful studio tool I have come across in years” checked in with the crowd to make sure they were enjoying their SUBPAC experience.
Mad Professor joined the stage about an hour into the workshop and began mixing live with Adrian Sherwood. The two reminisced about their careers, the long list of well-known artists they have worked while professing their love for what they do – performing live dub and bass music for passionate audiences around the world. The highlight of the night was Adrian Sherwood digging out an unreleased Bunny Wailer multi-track off his hard drive and inviting Mad Professor on stage with him to perform an unrehearsed,live dub mix for a stunned and appreciative audience.
SUBPAC is proud to support both Adrian Sherwood and Mad Professor. Special thanks goes out to Emch of Subatomic Sound System and the founder of Dub Champions Festival for organizing this awesome event.
