“You kind of know what you’re going to get”: Chris Lake on the problem with “traditional great synths”Chris Lake is no stranger to dancefloor alchemy. Known for his sleek productions and chart-topping tracks, the British producer is also a gearhead with an instinct for what works – and what doesn’t – in a studio setup.
On a new episode of MusicTech’s My Forever Studio podcast, brought to you in partnership with Audient, Lake opens up about his approach to sound design, why he prefers synths that ‘misbehave’, and how creative constraints can be a secret weapon.

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Discussing the allure of less traditional synths, Lake explains that sometimes, too much precision can be counterproductive.
“I think sometimes that can be the problem with some of the traditional great synths,” he says. “Like, you kind of know what you’re going to get and you can really dial in the sound that you know you’re going to get.”
“It’s predictable, it’s easy to get to. And that can sometimes be a hindrance, depending on the style of music you’re making.”
Instead, the producer is drawn to gear that throws a bit of unpredictability into the mix. He recalls a studio moment with French DJ-producer Sébastien Léger that forever changed how he viewed the creative process.
“I remember when I was working with Sébastien Léger. He’s like, ‘I’m not looking for the best idea. I’m just looking for the best mistake.’ And that’s really stuck with me, just like looking for that little piece of magic that you weren’t expecting to find. And I like the pieces of gear that increase the chances of you getting to that.”
It’s a mindset that also explains his fondness for semi-modular synths – tools that impose just enough limitation to spark something fresh.
“It’s like, put the guardrails up. Don’t give me too many options. I don’t want to get lost in this.”
“I’m a musician. I actually want to make something,” says Lake, who earlier this month released his first full-length album Chemistry. “I think one of the best things about modular for certain types of people is that they love that you can make anything and everything. You can go so many different directions. And that’s part of the joy of it.”
“[But] that’s not the joy for me. I actually like the restrictions. I like working within restrictions because it can get to a result quicker.”

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