Optical is Matt Quinn, a drum and bass producer, DJ, and studio engineer. His partnership with Ed Rush and their Virus Recordings brought his technical background into a catalogue associated with techstep and neurofunk.
Quinn began working in recording studios after leaving school, learning engineering through producing music for their clients. That experience preceded the records released under the Optical name and helps explain why studio craft has been such a visible part of his career.
Virus was established in 1998, the year he and Ed Rush released Wormhole. The partnership continued across later albums and releases, while the label widened to include other producers. Its catalogue sits alongside Quinn's production and engineering work for other artists.
He has also shared his methods through masterclasses and detailed production discussions. In interviews, Quinn has explained that advice from more experienced producers helped him learn, and that passing on knowledge gives other people the same opportunity. His emphasis on self-editing is equally practical: the duo discard music they do not feel confident releasing. Optical's role therefore includes engineering and teaching as well as recording and DJing.
![What's the Difference? / Medicine (Matrix Remix) [2017 Remaster] album by Ed Rush & Optical - Drum and Bass Cover Art](/cdn-cgi/image/dpr=1,fit=cover,format=auto,gravity=face,height=420,metadata=none,quality=85,width=420/https%3A%2F%2Fi.scdn.co%2Fimage%2Fab67616d0000b2731da979d984729a799c70bf5c)
