Ethan Aether
A Brief History Of ʻThe Shadowʼ
Ethan Aether (born October 7, 1984) is an American songwriter, producer, voice actor, poet, and singer. He has no spouse or children. Ethan has released several
musical compositions under multiple pseudonyms resulting in over 100,000 anonymous sales, and downloads. Due to his previous reluctance to reveal his identity, Ethan Aether remains a ghost on the music scene.
In early 2004 Ethan Aether moved from his home town of Wichita KS, to Las Vegas NV. There he spent 5 years as a manager/engineer of a small project recording
facility. During this time Ethan was exposed to realities of life, causing him to become homeless for some time. Sleeping at bus stations, and bathing in public restrooms, Ethan Aether was able to hide his living conditions, all while leaving a lasting musical impression on everyone he encountered. Surviving on a diet of 99¢ foods, beats, and rhymes, Ethan Aether soon began to sell productions for several thousand per composition, and advance to a level higher then almost every artist he had recorded in the studio.
With this artistic maturity also came fatigue of the common rapper. This newly acquired attitude towards less talented artists strained several relationships in the last year of his management term. To this day Ethan hasnʼt spoken with 95% of the contacts once held in his rolodex. In 2008 Ethan Aether went into a 2-year isolation after moving into his first condominium. This was the final straw in maintaining the last solid friendships he had left. Ethan had made no effort to contact anyone, instead he remained at home developing his artistic form.
At the end of 2009 Ethan came out of his isolation and moved to Kansas City MO. Upon arrival he immediately began work on a catalogue of EPs he would later call
"The Ethan Aether Experience." He is currently releasing these EPs free of charge on his website: www.ethanaether.com
Artist Q&A:
1.) How did you first hear about Open Labs?
During high school, in Wichita Ks, I was always searching for the next best music technology. There was a producer by the name of DJ Clash, who took me under his wing and
taught me the ins and outs of being on the cutting edge of music tech. I had stumbled across an article on the internet about a new revolution taking place with keyboard workstations. When the images downloaded onto the screen my life was changed forever. A keyboard with a computer built in was like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It was on that day I decided I had to have one.
2.) What Production Station do you have?
Currently, I'm the proud owner of a Miko LXD. The sexiest petite model of the latest generation.
3.) How has the gear changed your method of work?
I had grown accustomed to composing in my macbook with Reason and an Oxygen8 v2. I would then port the music to a studio DAW setup, to record and edit. All of that had changed when I'd acquired the Miko LXD. Not only was I able to compose, I was able to import all of my favorite VST, VSTi, and DAWs into one machine. The creation process is now fluent with minimal to no interruptions. I can now go from idea to completion without leaving my home.
4.) What is your production station's primary function, live or studio?
The Miko LXD is the center of my equipment setup. All of the external gear I own is routed to and through the Miko LXD. The vast 1TB HDD ensures I will not run out of space for a long time. An extra HDD slot provides even more security if a need for more GB space ever arises.
5.) What is your favorite software on the board?
The VSTs included in the software package are really nice. I have to say thats what I enjoy the most about the included Miko LXD software, the effects.
6.) How do you use it?
Basically for creative mixing. Blending VSTs doesn't kill the processor power like older systems, so I take advantage.
7.) Which kind of equipment have you owned in the past and how do they compare to your Open Labs equipment?
Being exposed to many pieces of equipment opened my eyes to many different setups that are currently possible with todays music tech. I worked at a production studio owned by my mentor, Anthony "A-Mac" MacKenzie, in Las Vegas called: "Hot Box Recordings." My time at Hot Box was about five years strong. It was there where I was able to hone my engineering skills, and learn what DAWs I enjoy using the most. The Miko LXD allows me to combine all knowledge acquired from my experiences as an engineer in to one small, powerhouse package.
8.) Has the gear changed the way you write songs?
The creative process was streamlined to a fluid motion. This allowed the writing/production to happen in one session without having to have a full staff on call for various tasks.
9.) How different is the composition process compared to the standard computer or laptop system?
It's a much more intimate process. The headphones, the privacy, the shock when you tell a person; "yea, I did all that on the Miko LXD!" It's much more enjoyable in my opinion.
10.) Do you think the quality of your production now would be possible with another keyboard?
Of course! The quality of skill doesn't rest in a machine, it rests in me. Clay or chisel, I'm still a sculptor. I may be able to DO more, but the quality is based within.
11.) Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
Actually, when i first received the Miko LXD I thought something was missing. I called tech support and spoke to Mike. My worries were eased after he walked me through the tour via internet. The personal tour of the software is a first, and should be included in everything in life that costs over $4,000.00 The machine is setup to the point where I really don't have to call in at all. Everything is at my fingertips. I would give support a 10 of 10.
12.) What is next for you and your Production Station?
We are going one day at a time. Everything that happens from this day forward is a blessing. Peace!
Equipment used:
Purchased the MiKo LXD.
Artist Link: