by Evan James

9th Wonder: Beat Professor

Get close with one of the most influential producers in the game – and watch how he creates with MASCHINE.

It’s ten years of MASCHINE, so what better way to celebrate than to spend time with the artists who’ve made it what it is today? Since we launched MASCHINE in 2009, it’s become the go-to production tool behind countless hits, with producers the world over leaning on its famously fast workflow to forge their sound.

In this first installment, we’re meeting Patrick Douthit, a.k.a. 9th Wonder. Having spent years honing his signature sound with acts like Little Brother, it was a production credit on Jay-Z’s The Black Album that launched his meteoric rise to fame. Today, he counts Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, and Nas among the artists who’ve come knocking on his door for a slice of 9th Wonder magic.

Despite his massive success, Douthit attributes his longevity to staying humble. “North Carolina makes me pace myself. The great thing about Manifold Recording: it’s still North Carolina. You don’t feel like you’re somewhere else.” And honoring his hometown roots keeps him focused on nurturing and expanding his trademark soulful sound. “I’m looking for something that sounds like me, and that takes time to put together. I still believe in sticking to my sound, regardless of what other people think.”

10 Years of MASCHINE

From artist stories and engineering tales to hardware makeovers and birthday freebies, join us as we celebrate ten years in style. To see what’s new, head to the ten years of MASCHINE homepage.

Photo credits: David Rivera

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