Christian Flake Lorenz Equipment

Christian Flake Lorenz Biography

Roland PC-180 A

Roland PC-180 A

Roland’s ‘desktop music’ (horrible term) series has more of a pro-level style than the entry-level range of their Japanese counterpart, Yamaha. The PC-180 bridges the gap between the smaller PC-160 and larger PC-200 MkII (both of which are apparently now defunct). The full-size keys stretch just over four octaves (that’s 49 keys) and offer velocity-sensitivity, but still no aftertouch. Aftertouch is available via one of the extra keyboard functions, but that’s hardly intuitive and doesn’t add much to the performance. However, you do get the usual Roland combined-pitch-and-modulation-stick to add expression and there’s a socket for a sustain pedal on the rear panel.

Price: 160 EURO

Sampler:

Akai S3200 Midi Stereo Digital Sampler

Roland A-37

Roland A-37

– Affordable 76-note controller keyboard for MIDI studios and performance
– Synth-weighted keys respond to velocity and channel aftertouch
– GM2-compatible; 128 User patches and 2 independent keyboard zones
– Easy to use with improved 7-segment LED and assignable Data Entry slider
– Convenient sequencer Start/Stop buttons, Clock TX and Transpose buttons
– Includes 2 independent MIDI outputs, MIDI In and Thru, plus Hold and Foot Pedal inputs
– Battery or AC powered

Ensoniq ASR-10

Ensoniq ASR-10

The ASR-10 stands for the Advanced Sampling Recorder – a completely digital music production studio. It’s a 16-bit sampler that came in both keyboard and rack-mount versions. It shipped with 2 MB of sample memory which could be expanded to 16 MB for a few minutes of stereo cd-quality sampling time. It lets you choose from sample rates of 30 to 44.1 kHz and has all the professional sample editing functions you would expect to find from a pro sampler including autolooping, volume smoothing, normalize, crossfading, and time comp/exp. Even resampling through its effects, EQ, etc. is possible!

Segway Human Transporter (HT) i180

Segway Human Transporter (HT) i180Segway Human Transporter (HT) i180Segway Human Transporter (HT) i180

Maximum speed: 12.5 mph
Carrying capacity: 260 lbs
Footprint: 19 x 25 in
Weight: ~ 83 lbs
Battery type: Two lithium-ion or NiMH battery packs
Battery range: 15-24 miles (Li-ion), 8-12 miles (NiMH)
Motors: Two brushless, DC servomotors
Wheels: 14 in glass-reinforced thermoplastic
Tires: 19 in tubeless, puncture-resistant
Platform height: 8 in
Ground clearance: 3 – 4 in
Display: Multicolor backlit LCD

During a concert in Gothenburg, Sweden on July 30, 2005, Till Lindemann suffered a knee injury when Flake accidentally ran into him with the Segway he rides during the performance of Amerika. This caused concerts scheduled in Asia to be canceled.

 


Christian Flake Lorenz with keyboard
 

77 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Miki! Good to see another practicing Flake fan out there!

    In the studio, we’ve got VERY little to go on, only ever seen him playing around with his ASR-10. Live, it’s easier. Though most people aren’t fussed, they want the sound, not the controller!

    For most of the Herzeleid/Sehnsucht era live stuff was done using the (now discontinued) Roland A33 midi keyboard. Got one myself second hand, exceptionally nice action, fairly similar in feel to a real piano (albeit MUCH lighter to play, perfect for synth). For certain shows (where they shared a stage, and has far less time to prepare) Flake used his ASR-10, presumably with all his samples onboard. Then again, he may have been using it as a MIDI controller. Who knows. Where the Roland A37 comes in I don’t know, I can’t find any information about him using that, but it does make sense if he liked the A33.

    Not sure if this helps much, but he had an object stuck on the right of the Roland during Live Aus Berlin (http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/corvid_crow/vlcsnap-2009-10-22-18h41m48s132.png). Might be to load different patch banks… he definitely uses the patch buttons on the Roland, most noticeably after his solo during Bestrafe Mich.

    For the Mutter tour I think he used a Korg X5D. Onwards I don’t have a clue exactly what he uses. A screencap of the keyboard he uses during Volkerball is all I have, thought you may be able to work out what it is(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b107/corvid_crow/vlcsnap-2009-10-23-22h10m28s208.png). I’ve seen it somewhere before I think. I’ll rewatch volkerball and see if there’s a better shot of Flake. He’s certainly got another MIDI controller on the keyboard there too.

    As for switching synths/modules/softsynths, sounds like you know exactly how you’ll do it if you’re good enough to be playing Live!

    Hope that helps mate! I presume you play Rammstein, if you ever want to share any info on Flakes patches/synth do contact me. I’m very much new to synthesis, but I’ve got a few patches nailed, and I’m learning as fast as my brain will allow!

    Corvid

  2. hi I am interested to know what make and model midi controller he uses as i want to patch up using this method 30 keyboards and modules as i dont have the time to switch all keynoards when playing live. could you give me this information as ive tryed getting hold of companies such as yamaha and roland and they dont know! many thanks for your time
    mikki

  3. To anyone asking about Flake’s equipment, I believe he currently uses the Apple Logic ES2 as his synthesiser. All the physical keyboards he uses are just MIDI controllers to make the main computer play the correct keys. Very reassuring for someone like me, who is deeply interested in Flake’s playing. Everyone wants to play the bass, guitar and drums, or sing (not that many people ever get close to Till vocally!), but very few people seem truly interested in Flake! With the extensive (albeit often pathetic) guitar tabs, guitar players get it easy! Ok, playing a keyboard is dead easy, but deciphering Flake’s synth voices is a nightmare!

  7. hola christian lorenz como ya les dije alos demas estaria chido k vinieran a mexico para aser de una noche la mejor de todas

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