Yasutaka Nakata 中田ヤスタカ

Studio Setup and Production Gear

Yasutaka Nakata, the mastermind behind some of Japan’s most distinctive electronic pop music, operates with a surprisingly streamlined and software-focused studio setup. His production approach emphasizes accessibility and efficiency over expensive hardware, proving that innovative electronic music can be created with relatively modest equipment.

Digital Audio Workstation and Core Setup

Nakata started with Steinberg Cubase (versions 4.1 and later Cubase 5), running on a PC with QX6700 processor, 2GB memory, and dual 500GB hard drives in RAID configuration. This software-centric approach forms the backbone of his distinctive sound across all his major projects.

Software Synthesizers and Sound Sources

The heart of Nakata’s sound comes from his extensive use of virtual instruments. His primary software synthesizers include Native Instruments Massive, Native Instruments Battery 3, FM8, Sylenth1, and various Kontakt libraries, which contribute to the polished, commercial sound characteristic of his productions for Perfume and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

Hardware Components

While predominantly software-based, Nakata does employ some key hardware pieces. He owns a Yamaha Reface YC Combo Organ suggesting occasional use of hardware synthesizers for specific sounds or inspiration.

Nakata’s studio is notably compact, measuring approximately 4m x 3m, with acoustic treatment and a small recording booth. The setup includes quality microphone preamps and converters, though he relies primarily on virtual instruments and plugins rather than extensive outboard gear.

Production Philosophy

What sets Nakata apart is his ability to create radio-ready, commercially successful tracks using primarily software-based tools. His gear choices reflect a philosophy of maximizing creativity within accessible technology constraints, making his approach influential for bedroom producers and commercial studios alike. This streamlined setup has proven capable of producing the crystalline, hyper-processed sound that defines modern J-pop electronic music across his collaborations with Capsule, Perfume, MEG, and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

Here is the audio gear used by Nakata. Each timeline is sourced from real pictures. He might still own the gear in different timelines, only the new gear is added.

House Studio 1st Version (2006-2010)

Microphone

AKG C4000B
Audio Technica AT4040

Monitoring

Yamaha NS10M
Sony SRS-Z1
AKG K701

Outboard Gear

TL Audio 5051 Channel strip

Converters

Alesis ADAT XT
RME Digiface

Keyboards

Yamaha KX61
Yamaha MO8

Guitar

Yamaha RBX A2

Weighing in at 2.5 kg, the RGXA2 is in the super lightweight class.Yamaha’s revolutionary A.I.R. technology delivers a guitar so light that it fuses seamlessly with the player, delivering unprecedented comfort, amazing tone,and superior performance. The RGXA2, the guitar that lets you play the way you want to play.
– A.I.R. Technology Body
– 3-Position Rotary Pickup Switch
– Controls With LED Indicaters
– Cylindrical Knob Tuning Machines
– A.I.R. Mounting System Bridge