Optical

Optical is the name used by Matt Quinn, a drum and bass producer and DJ from London, United Kingdom. Born in 1972, he starts making music in 1989, when he is 17 years old. He is also the brother of Jamie Quinn, who records as Matrix.

Career

He begins on the hardcore label Phat Tunes before recording for No U Turn, Prototype and Metalheadz. He also works with Goldie on Saturnz Return and engineers Grooverider’s Mysteries Of Funk. His first single for Metalheadz is To Shape the Future / Raging Calm, and his work with Ed Rush helps define the techstep and neurofunk sound.

Ed Rush collaboration and Virus Recordings

Optical is best known for his partnership with Ed Rush, who co-heads Virus Recordings with him. The label is founded in 1998 and becomes closely associated with their output. Their collaborative album Wormhole appears in 1998 and is followed by The Creeps in 2000 and The Original Doctor Shade in 2003, along with numerous singles and remixes.

Associated acts

He is associated with Drum Kru, Infinite, Fortran and Jagged Edge.