MC Burton
Founder of JONTI Productions, LLC M. C. Burton grew up in Grand Rapids, MI. After attending the University of Michigan where he played basketball, M. C. made the decision to pursue his musical interests. Against family advice, M. C. decided to open a recording studio from his home in Grand Rapids. The opening of Shade Studios allowed M. C. to work with such artists as Bobby DeBarge, El DeBarge, Chico DeBarge, Ready for the World, Bernard Terry, Euro-K, Jeffrey Valentine and Tony D and a host of talent from the surrounding area. In 1992, M. C. decided to relocate to the West Coast in order to pursue his musical aspirations more diligently.
Shortly after his arrival in Los Angeles, M. C. picked up where he left off in Grand Rapids and began producing music once again. With the opportunity to work with legendary artists like Vesta Williams and jazz great Dan Farrow, the future looked bright. However, like so many others in pursuit of the same dream, M. C. had to find more consistent work in order to make ends meet if he was to continue on his musical journey. M. C. soon took a position with an insurance brokerage firm. Before he knew it, more than a decade had passed and the dream of producing music again almost did as well.
Fortunately, M. C. came to his senses and realized that if he didn't act immediately, he probably never would. M. C. threw caution to the wind and said good bye to a successful insurance career and never looked back! With the reputation of becoming successful with anything he sets his mind to, the music industry will be no different. Because of his love and passion for music, M. C. will settle for nothing less than excellence.
JONTI Productions, LLC is a musical production company specializing in writing, composing, recording and mixing R&B, Hip Hop and Pop music. Located in Santa Monica, CA, JONTI Productions was founded by M. C. Burton, III in 2005.
From your initial melody to your final mix, JONTI Productions provides the coveted style and sound of today's hit records. Utilizing only the finest toys in the biz, such Open Labs' MIKO, Pro-tools, Cubase and thousands of virtual sounds, JONTI Productions is geared up to produce the unique sound of today but more importantly the sound of the future!
Open Labs makes the finest musical equipment in the professional world, bar none. There are lots of great products from respectable companies available to choose from. The way I like to explain it is like this. "You're probably used to driving the musical Porches, Benz', Beamers, and they all will get you where you wanna go.
However, I choose to arrive in my MIKO Phantom! Ya feel me. . .
Artist Q&A:
1.) How did you first hear about Open Labs?
I first heard about Open Labs while surfing the Internet.
2.) What Production Station do you have?
The MiKo LXD.
3.) How has the gear changed your method of work?
The Miko has simplified my outboard gear approach to instrument selection.
4.) What is your production station's primary function, live or studio?
I use mostly for studio work.
5.) What is your favorite software on the board?
I love Reaper. Its great for sequencing and song editing.
6.) How do you use it?
It's always my template for song writing. I have it integrated into my previous Mac DAW format as well.
7.) Which kind of equipment have you owned in the past and how do they compare to your Open Labs equipment?
My previous setup was Mac based with lots of hardware gear, utilizing Cubase 5 and Protools. My main keyboard was an Ensoniq ASR 10. The MIKO's technology is light years ahead of my previous workstation.
8.) Has the gear changed the way you write songs?
Definitely. It's a more efficient way of writing. Its consolidation (less space) with expansion (thousands of sounds) at the same time. It's crazy!
9.) How different is the composition process compared to the standard computer or laptop system?
Everything's at my fingertips now. AND if I must, I can always operate my previous DAWs like Cubase and Protools from within my MIKO.
10.) Do you think the quality of your production now would be possible with another keyboard?
If I were to use another keyboard, I would be going backwards. Even if I love a sound from another keyboard and I gotta have it, no problem. The answer is MIMIK! This board is out of control!
11.) Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
Everybody hates tech support because it's disruptive to your workflow. Also you never get to talk with real people and response time at best is sloooooow. With Open Labs a tech support call is actually a great learning experience. The guys are friendly and knowledgeable. They take their time with you to make sure you understand the problem. I think I know them all now and the remote function capability, puts you guys is a league all your own. No longer is tech support a bad phrase.
12.) What is next for you and your Production Station?
A big summer production release party/function showcasing my material. (all produced on the MIKO) I'd like to do it in conjunction with Open Labs. Sounds like win win to me!
Equipment used:
Purchased the MiKo LXD.
Artist Link: