Juan Dussán's dark desk setup — New York City, USA

Don’t blow your budget on a bunch of software or outboard gear all at once.

Juan's screen runs notation software instead of a DAW timeline — a full orchestral score titled "Shattered Faith," credited to him, mid-edit. A stack of professional MIDI controllers fills the desk: an expressive touch-surface keyboard, a second modern control keyboard, and a full weighted board on a stand to the side.

A Universal Audio Apollo Twin interface sits on the Hexcal Studio riser between two Genelec monitors, with a wood-topped trackball and a walnut dial nearby. He built the studio the way he says any composer should — computer, MIDI controller, and speakers first, then let the rest arrive as the work demands it.