Top 5Has said they use
E-mu Systems
SP-1200“I still fuck with my SP-1200.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
m
Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by Moodymann. Every item links to its public source.
9 items · Last checked What's in Moodymann's studio?
Moodymann has said he still works with an E-mu SP-1200 and a Rhodes keyboard, and Mixmag reported in 2023 that he is still using an SP-1200 and a Roland R-8. In 2024 Roland released a signature SP-404MKII KDJ Records Limited Edition with him.
Top 5
Where to start with Moodymann's gear.
01
02
Top 5Seen using
Seen in Mixmag: Uncovering Moodymann's Detroit hip hop origins, February 2023
03
Top 5Has said they use
Fender
Rhodes electric piano“I got a Rhodes keyboard, but who don't? But that's my baby.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
04
Top 5SponsoredSeen using
05
Top 5Has said they love
Kraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express“'Trans-Europe Express' used to be a skate jam; now that was classic.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
What studio gear Moodymann uses: a sourced gear guide
Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.
Studio
Has said they use
E-mu Systems
SP-1200“I still fuck with my SP-1200.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
Seen using
Seen in Mixmag: Uncovering Moodymann's Detroit hip hop origins, February 2023
Has said they use
Fender
Rhodes electric piano“I got a Rhodes keyboard, but who don't? But that's my baby.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
Has said they use
Akai Professional
MPC“I have got three MPCs.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
Also at
Signature gear
SponsoredSeen using
Records that shaped me
Has said they love
Kraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express“'Trans-Europe Express' used to be a skate jam; now that was classic.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
Has said they love
Kraftwerk
The Man-Machine“But we still loved their music.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
Daily rituals
Hennessy
Cognac
Has said they love
Hennessy
Cognac“This is the most recognized bottle in Detroit, so I roll Hennessy right now.”
Said in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
No store page for this one.
Rémy Martin
VSOP Cognac
Has said they love
Rémy Martin
VSOP CognacSaid in Red Bull Music Academy: Moodymann lecture (London 2010), April 2015
No store page for this one.
Questions
About Moodymann's gear.
What sampler does Moodymann use?
The E-mu SP-1200. At his 2010 Red Bull Music Academy lecture he said he has three MPCs and still works with his SP-1200, and Mixmag reported in 2023 that he is still using an SP-1200 and a Roland R-8.
Does Moodymann have a signature sampler?
Yes. In October 2024 Roland released the SP-404MKII KDJ Records Limited Edition, limited to 600 units, with a custom faceplate, sound banks from the KDJ Records roster, a 7-inch record and a mixtape curated by Moodymann.
What keyboard does Moodymann play?
A Rhodes. At his 2010 Red Bull Music Academy lecture he listed his MPCs, his SP-1200 and a Rhodes keyboard, calling the Rhodes his baby.
What records inspired Moodymann?
At his 2010 Red Bull Music Academy lecture he said Kraftwerk's Trans-Europe Express was a skate jam in Detroit, that he bought the Kraftwerk album with the robots on it, and named Mojo, Marvelous Marv, Led Zeppelin, George Clinton and Marvin Gaye among his influences.
Related gear guides
Setups that share gear with Moodymann.
Alan Braxe
Disco, nu-disco and French house
29 itemsSee Alan Braxe's gear →
Roni Size
Drum and bass and jungle
25 itemsSee Roni Size's gear →
!llmind
Boom bap
23 itemsSee !llmind's gear →
Madlib
19 itemsSee Madlib's gear →
Stardust
Disco, nu-disco and French house
10 itemsSee Stardust's gear →
Emily A. Sprague
Ambient
59 itemsSee Emily A. Sprague's gear →
Named in this guide
M
Moodymann
About this guide · Last checked
Moodymann is Kenny Dixon Jr., the Detroit producer and DJ who has run KDJ Records since 1994 and Mahogani Music since 2002. He rarely gives interviews, so this guide is short: the samplers, drum machine and keys he has talked about, his Roland signature sampler, and a record he has named.
truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. Moodymann didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.
Report an error or ask for removal. We fix or remove within 72 hours. You don't need to sign up.
Are you Moodymann?
Claim this page to make it yours: verify with your Instagram, TikTok or YouTube, keep what's right, drop what isn't, and add your own.
Claim this pagetruerecs gear guides are independent research from public sources, not made or approved by the artist. Store buttons on this page may be affiliate links: truerecs may earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Moodymann isn't paid for them. Report an error or ask for removal. Full disclosure.