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It Goes To 11: Scott Kirkland Unveils The Synthesizer That Helped The Crystal Method Find Its Sound
Scott Kirkland

Credit: Sam Hodges

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It Goes To 11: Scott Kirkland Unveils The Synthesizer That Helped The Crystal Method Find Its Sound

Meet the synthesizer that the Crystal Method's Scott Kirkland has used on every album in this episode of It Goes To 11.

GRAMMYs/May 18, 2022 - 05:00 pm

Over the course of the almost three decades Scott Kirkland has spent making music as the Crystal Method — which became Kirkland's solo project when former bandmate Ken Jordan departed in 2017 — he has always depended on a great synthesizer to help him create his signature sound.

In this episode of It Goes To 11, Kirkland introduces the trusty synth that has helped the Vegas-based electronic outfit form its signature sound. "It's been in the Crystal Method family for every album," he says. 

That's the Roland Jupiter-6, a piece of gear that Kirland says he originally picked up thanks to LA-based classified ads paper The Recycler — the same legendary paper that once helped bassist Duff McKagen join Guns 'n' Roses and put Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee in touch with guitarist Mick Mars to form Motley Crue.

"There would be, like, 20 to 30 people every morning at 6 a.m. out there getting 'em, ripping 'em open to put 'em on their car," Kirkland remembers. "Some people were looking for free items, some people were looking for cars, and there was a group of us that were always looking for synthesizers. I'm sure that's how we found it."

The now-discontinued JP-6 is well-known for its ability to produce a wide array of sounds. To Kirkland, that's what makes it great. "I always love sounds that seem to be antagonizing each other," he explains, adding that it can easily create texture, sonic juxtaposition and — because the Crystal Method is not a vocal group — create sounds that are ear-catching enough to serve as a main melody.

"It feels like an old friend. Like having a conversation with an old friend. I would never get rid of this old friend. But if I ever had the opportunity to buy a new friend, I would," he jokes. "If any of you out there want to donate your Jupiter-6 to the Crystal Method, I promise you, I will give it a fantastic home."

Hear more about Kirkland's trusty synth in this episode of It Goes To 11, and check back for new episodes. 

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It Goes To 11: Eva B Shares The M-Audio Microphone That Helps Her Share Her Voice With The World
Eva B

Photo: Courtesy of Eva B

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It Goes To 11: Eva B Shares The M-Audio Microphone That Helps Her Share Her Voice With The World

Meet Pakistani rapper Eva B's favorite piece of musical equipment, her trusty microphone that empowers her to make a positive impact on society.

GRAMMYs/Nov 29, 2023 - 06:05 pm

As a rapper, Pakistani artist Eva B's most important tool is her voice, so it's no surprise that her favorite piece of musical tech is her prized M-Audio microphone.

It was the first piece of gear she bought, and the mic introduced her to new software and recording systems. She didn't know it at first, but she could hear herself while recording, which motivated her to write three songs daily.

"I think it gives me the confidence to speak," she explains in this episode of It Goes To 11. "Besides, my voice reaches the whole world through it."

She believes "music can become a medium for changing perspectives. Music transforms philosophies and fosters a sense of peace." And that's what she hopes to achieve with her microphone and songwriting.

Now, it's her medication. Even if she's depressed, her mic infuses her "with energy and optimism" and empowers her to keep spreading positivity with her lyricism.

"That microphone really helped me out," she explains. "I learned a lot of new things" — about herself and the impact of her music.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Eva B's bond with her M-Audio microphone, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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It Goes To 11: Thuy Reveals The In-Ear Monitors That Have Become Her Guiding Light On Stage
Thuy

Photo: Brandon Lee Davis

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It Goes To 11: Thuy Reveals The In-Ear Monitors That Have Become Her Guiding Light On Stage

At every performance, there is one item that Vietnamese singer Thuy must have: her UE Live in-ear monitors. They allow her to hear everything — most importantly, her fans.

GRAMMYs/Nov 8, 2023 - 06:04 pm

When Vietnamese singer Thuy hits the stage every night, she has one item that can instantly calm her nerves and ensure a smooth performance: her Ultimate Ears Live monitors.

"They're my everything," she explains in this episode of It Goes to 11. "When I can't hear, I don't do a good job."

Thuy considers the UE Live monitors one of "the best in the game" because of their crisp quality — she can hear her voice and the instrumentals through any frequency. And she can chat with her band through them, which may be her favorite part: "Sometimes, we'll have banter and a little morale during the show."

The UE Live monitors also have face plate customization, so she likes to switch them to match whatever outfit she's wearing that evening. One day, she hopes to have a personalized plate of her dog to feel his presence even when he's not there.

And most importantly, Thuy can still feel the audience with her UE Lives. "You're almost in your own world. With other ears, you feel like you can't connect with fans, but with these, I can hear them," she reveals.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Thuy's beloved UE Live in-ear monitors, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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It Goes To 11: Sammy Rae Reveals The Keyboard That "Transformed" Her Writing Process
Sammy Rae

Photo: Sara Haile

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It Goes To 11: Sammy Rae Reveals The Keyboard That "Transformed" Her Writing Process

Singer/songwriter Sammy Rae reveals the story behind her favorite instrument, a Korg G1 Air digital piano that unlocked new "artistic and creative autonomy."

GRAMMYs/Nov 1, 2023 - 03:00 pm

Sammy Rae's favorite instrument is also a milestone for the singer: her "first adult keyboard," a Korg G1 Air digital piano.

When she first set up the keyboard — which was gifted to her by the brand — it made her cry because she finally had something "to write on whenever she wanted."

"It's a gorgeous piece of furniture that lives in my room," she mentions in the latest episode of It Goes to 11. "When I open the door and see it here, I know this is my keyboard, nobody else's."

Rae considers the Korg G1 Air to be the "perfect writing keyboard," as it's able to create grand, acoustic and electric piano sounds. "It really was a missing piece in my writing process that's made things a lot easier…it has transformed my writing process," she adds.

Besides its functionality, her G1 Air was symbolic of "a step towards artistic and creative autonomy." No more heading to her closet to pull out a bulky keyboard — this one is ready whenever she desires.

Press play on the video above to learn more about how Sammy Rae's Korg G1 Air keyboard optimized her songwriting process, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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It Goes To 11: Meet Claire Delić's Classical Guitar That Became Her Most Reliable Shrink
Claire Delić

Photo: Courtesy of Claire Delić

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It Goes To 11: Meet Claire Delić's Classical Guitar That Became Her Most Reliable Shrink

Dutch singer/songwriter Claire Delić introduces her favorite instrument, a classical guitar that's helped her understand her deepest fears and insecurities.

GRAMMYs/Oct 23, 2023 - 05:12 pm

For Dutch singer/songwriter Claire Delić, guitar isn't just an instrument she plays — it's a tool for healing.

"When I play the guitar, I feel she has something to tell me. It's not only me," Delić explains in the latest episode of It Goes to 11. "She has something to give me. We have a conversation."

Delić feels nervous communicating her thoughts, but when she has her guitar in hand, it becomes easy to express her emotions. It also helps her understand her fears and insecurities. As she reveals, "Music is my language."

"I was having a hard day, and I took my guitar and started to play. Suddenly, I was weeping," Delić recalls. She continued to play, and something magical happened: her cries began to coincide with her strums. "With no hesitation, I didn't have to control it. They were just being together, dancing."

After many years together, Delić believes her guitar has become her most effective shrink. It knows her most intimate stories and exactly how to heal her. "There's nobody like my guitar," she says.

Press play on the video above to learn more about Claire Delić's powerful bond with her guitar, and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of It Goes to 11.

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