If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be and why?

If somebody told me I had to get a tattoo right now, I already know what it would be.

A Neve console surrounded by music notes.

That probably sounds extremely specific to somebody outside of music production. 😂 But for me, it actually makes perfect sense.

Music has been a major part of my life for years, and when you’re producing and mixing records long enough, certain pieces of gear—and even the sound associated with that gear—start becoming part of your creative identity.

For me, Neve is one of those names.

Why a Neve Console?

There is something about the idea of a large-format analog console that represents music production to me.

You have the faders, EQ sections, channels, routing and everything else that goes into shaping a record. You’re not just looking at a piece of equipment. You’re looking at something designed to take individual sounds and help turn them into a finished record.

That’s what makes the Neve console such a fitting tattoo for me.

But there’s another reason.

I actually use Neve console emulation in SONAR while creating and, especially, while mixing.

I may be working completely inside a modern digital environment, but that analog-inspired sound still plays a role in the way I approach my music.

Analog Inspiration in a Digital Studio

This is one of the things I love about modern music production.

You don’t necessarily need to be sitting behind a massive physical Neve console to appreciate the sound and workflow that consoles like it helped establish.

Through console emulation and other software tools, producers can bring some of that analog character into a digital workflow.

That’s exactly what I do in SONAR.

When I’m creating, and particularly when I get into the mixing stage, I’m thinking about more than making something louder or turning knobs until it sounds good.

I’m thinking about tone.

I’m thinking about character.

I’m thinking about depth.

I’m thinking about how all the individual elements of the record work together.

That’s one of the reasons console emulation has remained part of my workflow.

The Music Notes Would Complete the Story

The Neve console would be the centerpiece of the tattoo, but I would surround it with music notes.

Why?

Because the console represents the craft, but the notes represent the music.

And that’s an important distinction.

Technology changes.

Software changes.

DAWs change.

Plugins change.

But music is the reason we use any of it in the first place.

As producers and engineers, sometimes we can become so fascinated with equipment, plugins and technical details that it’s easy to forget the entire purpose behind all of those tools.

We’re trying to make music that people can feel.

The notes around the console would be my reminder of that.

Your Tools Can Become Part of Your Sound

Every producer eventually develops certain habits.

You find instruments you constantly reach for.

You discover plugins that seem to appear in almost every session.

You develop certain approaches to EQ, compression, saturation, arrangement and mixing.

Eventually, those decisions become part of your sound.

That’s why I don’t necessarily look at production tools as just software or equipment.

They’re part of the creative process.

I’ve spent enough time producing and mixing music to know that the equipment itself isn’t what makes the producer. Having expensive gear won’t automatically give you a great record.

Knowing what you’re listening for matters more.

But when you find tools that complement the way you hear music, they can become an important part of your workflow.

That’s what the Neve sound represents for me.

More Than Just a Tattoo

So if WordPress asks me:

“If you had to get a tattoo right now, what would it be and why?”

My answer is easy.

Give me a Neve console surrounded by music notes.

Not because I simply think recording consoles look cool.

It would represent years of producing, creating, learning, experimenting and mixing music.

It would represent the combination of old-school inspiration and modern digital production that has become part of how I work.

And most importantly, those music notes surrounding the console would remind me why I started doing all of this in the first place.

The music.

Sometimes the tools we use every day become more than tools.

They become part of our story.

What Would Your Tattoo Be?

That’s what a Neve console surrounded by music notes represents to me—but now I want to hear yours.

If you had to get a tattoo right now that represented your passion, career, or creative journey, what would it be—and why?

Drop your answer in the comments below. You never know: the thing you choose might tell more of your story than you realize.

And if music is part of your story, keep exploring NJMP Beats for more conversations about music production, mixing, creativity, and the realities of building your sound.

Keep creating. Keep learning. Keep making the music yours.

Ready to hear what I’ve been creating? Explore my beats and instrumentals and find something that fits your next project.

— Duan Barrino | NJMP Beats