Seraphim: TC Electronic driven Power Metal that is rocking the Far East

TC Electronic equipment:
System 6000, M5000, M2000, TC 2290, TC 1210, Finalizer 96k, D-Two, G-Force

Websites:
www.kessier.com
www.myspace.com/theofficialseraphim

Seraphim are one of the leading bands in Asia and the Far East and have amassed a huge following thanks to their blend of Power Metal and near-classical vocals. They have had nearly 2.5 million hits on their MySpace page alone and their distinctive sound, combined with that fanatical following, caught the attention of Magnum Records who signed the band back in 2001. They have released four albums on the label with the latest one, Rising, just out and receiving great reviews. We caught up with guitarist and producer Kessier Hsu to talk about how TC Electronic gear has shaped his and his band’s sound for many years…

"I've been playing guitar for 27 years," Kessier tells us looking back at the start of his long and successful career. "I admired many musicians like Ritchie Blackmore, Michael Schenker, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Their playing and stage performances were so inspiring that I decided to study guitar playing and form a band. After a long time on stage learning, it eventually became my lifetime career!"

After studying music production Kessier built his own professional studio ten years ago and he has since filled it with a variety of equipment. "I work with a Pro Tools system while taping and editing," he says. "Although there are many plug-ins that are pretty cool, I still prefer outboard gear."

In fact Kessier’s set-up is very much a mix of the best of the old and new which his growing list of TC Electronic gear proves. "I have been using TC Electronic products since 1993!" he says. "I now use the System 6000, M5000, M2000, 2290, 1210, Finalizer and D-Two in my studio. I also have an M6000 which is, of course, the flagship of my outboard gear, and I use the G-Force processor in my guitar rack as my main effects."

"I prefer to use great reverbs on vocals," he continues when asked about recording, "and they all came from the M6000 and M5000. I use the multi-effects from the M2000 on other musical instruments, and the killer sounds on my guitar solos come from the incredible delays on the 2290. I had been looking for this famous delay for a long time. It’s a great machine but hard to find in Taiwan so I went to the US to buy it! It really has increased the quality of my sound. I also use the 1210 which has some really strong choruses, and the Finalizers are, of course, great for mastering."

When playing live Kessier is a big fan of TC Electronic’s G-Force guitar effects processor. "It helps me a lot to spread great effects over my guitar sound," he says. "I use the sweet chorus effect with pure reverb on clean sounds, and a medium hall reverb with a very short delay on guitar solos. I love these combinations and they always help me produce a mighty guitar sound!"

"It's not easy to find a really good digital effect at a reasonable price but since I discovered TC, I have been impressed at the quality and good value. With their great gear I don't have to worry about the studio environment – I can get the right sound anywhere!"

Kessier also cites "the logical design and ease of use" as yet more reasons to buy TC Electronic gear. In fact he is so passionate about gear that he concludes "Making the right gear choice when you start out could really determine how your career and musical life pan out, and TC Electronic is the right choice!"

Kessier is about to start work on his first solo album as well as Seraphim’s 5th album.