Electronic Music

Grandmaster Flash talks to Caro C about the development of his pioneering DJ techniques, including the Quick Mix Theory, seamless looping and the custom modifications that helped turn the turntable into a musical instrument. He also discusses the early Bronx hip-hop scene and his new book, Birth of a Culture, which explores the technical innovations and community behind hip-hop’s origins. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - Early Exposure To Music 06:04 - Developing The Quick Mix Theory 11:26 - Customising The Decks 17:50 - Starting A Movement 20:58 - Getting The First Gigs 23:08 - Honing The DJ Setup 27:14 - Selecting The Right Styluses 30:46 - Telling The Story In A Book Grandmaster Flash Biog Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Robert Saddler) is a pioneering hip-hop DJ credited with developing techniques that helped shape turntablism and rap music. His innovations include the Quik Mix Theory and the use of extended drum breaks, while his recordings include The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of…

Alison Tavel talks to Rob Puricelli about Resynator, her documentary exploring the history of the synthesizer invented by her late father. They discuss reconstructing the instrument, its innovative design and early history, tracking down surviving examples, and placing the Resynator into the hands of contemporary musicians. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:28 - Reasons For Making The Film 12:41 - What Is The Resynator? 20:05 - Reconstructing The Resynator 27:32 - Interviewing Peter Gabriel 31:28 - Filming in Colombia 40:00 - Where To View The Film Alison Tavel Biog Alison Tavel is a filmmaker and music archivist. Her work with archival material has included directing music videos, documentary projects, commercial spots and EPKs, as well as producing and overseeing archival content for major releases. Earlier in her career, Alison worked in music management and supervision before moving into touring and studio support for artists including Grace Potter, Beck and Jenny Lewis. RESYNATOR is her feature…

Bob Coover and Anthony Marinelli join Julian Rodgers to explore the history, evolution and creative potential of wavetable synthesis, from its early origins to modern instruments, discussing waveform morphing, iconic sounds and where the technology is heading next. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:43 - What Is Wavetable Synthesis 11:08 - Morphing Between Waveforms 14:42 - History Of Wavetable Synthesis 19:05 - The Wavetable Sound 24:41 - Software Using Wavetables 26:46 - New Instruments With Wavetable Synthesis 30:05 - Morphing Sounds With Tactile Controls 34:01 - Examples In Popular Recordings 39:12 - The Future Of Wavetable Synthesis #3rdwave #fairlight #ppg #serum Bob Coover Biog Bob Coover is co-founder and Principal DSP Engineer at Groove Synthesis, where he helped create the award-winning 3rd Wave series of advanced wavetable synthesisers. A veteran synth designer and software engineer, he previously worked with Sequential alongside Dave Smith, contributing to instruments including the Prophet-12, Pro…

KOGG's Selena Kay and Cerys Hogg talk to Caro C about combining their classical and jazz disciplines with creative sound design, custom instrument building, live performance and rhythmic experimentation. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:40 - Meeting On A Tech Course 03:14 - Electronic Experimentation 04:50 - Developing As A Duo 06:52 - Releasing On Nonclassical 08:45 - Balancing Structure With Experimentation 10:43 - Sound Design Audio Examples 15:10 - Creating Custom Instruments 16:55 - Triggering And Processing Sounds 19:06 - Current Hardware Triggers 21:22 - Using Scores And Improv In Shows 24:40 - Combining Jazz And Classical 25:18 - Differences To Previous Projects 26:54 - Compositional Process 29:00 - Next Steps For KOGG 29:57 - Describing The Musical Style #AbletonLive #AkaiMPD #AbletonPush2 #RolandSPD #TCHeliconVoiceLiveTouch #ZoomMultiStomp KOGG Biog KOGG are an experimental electronic duo formed by composers and performers Selena Kay and Cerys Hogg. Combining contemporary composition, improvisation…

Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy talk to Kevin Paul about their techno project System 7 and ambient project Mirror System, discussing their studio setup, live performances and creative approach to making music. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:38 - Current Projects 01:20 - System 7 and Mirror System 02:20 - Songwriting Process 04:27 - Using Gong-Influenced Sounds 05:17 - Main Creative Tools 06:19 - Learning From DJ Experience 06:55 - Collaborative Workflow 08:49 - Structuring Albums 09:27 - Streamlined Studio Setup 11:20 - Limitations and Finishing Tracks 13:31 - Live Performances 16:58 - 10 Records and Collaborations 21:02 - The Future Of System 7 26:18 - Mirror System for Ambient Music #HelixLT #Logic #ProTools #Ableton #AnimoogZ http://www.a-wave.com https://www.facebook.com/System7page https://www.facebook.com/Mirrorsystem Steve Hillage Biog Steve Hillage is an English guitarist, producer and electronic music pioneer best known for his work with the psychedelic prog band Gong, his influential solo…

James Richmond and Julian Rodgers dive into the world of modular synthesis, explaining what it is and how it fits into both studio production and live performance. They explore the process of creating unique sounds from scratch, the challenges of patch recall and share practical advice for anyone looking to get started with modular gear. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:52 - Modular Synth Definition 01:50 - Semi-Modular 02:59 - James' Modular Synthesis Work 04:05 - Reaktor And Max 07:32 - The Appeal Of Modular 09:54 - Generating Your Own Sounds 11:24 - Creating A System 13:11 - Software Vs Hardware Systems 14:02 - Creating Brand New Sounds 16:16 - Stochastic Modulation 21:31 - Handling Recall 22:57 - Gigging With Modular 26:42 - Preparing For Performance 28:12 - East Coast Vs West Coast 29:44 - Practical Performance Challenges 31:34 - Careful Onstage Monitoring 33:08 - Starting Out In Modular 37:08 - Affordable Synthesis #NIreaktor #cycling74max #makenoisemaths #mutableinstrumentsrings…

DJ and techno producer Kerrie joins Caro C to talk about her journey into DJing and production, the influences that shaped her sound and the live performance setup she now takes with her around the world. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:21 - From DJ to Producer 04:37 - Techno Influence 06:26 - Producing From A Dancefloor Perspective 09:23 - Live Performance Setup 15:56 - Transporting Gig Kit 18:27 - Combining Live And Studio 20:13 - A Workflow Without A Laptop 21:35 - Community And Shared Experiences 26:35 - Sound Choices 28:27 - Exploring Fresh Ideas #ElektronAnalogRytm #ElektronAnalogFour #ElektronDigitaktII #CycloneAnalogicTT-303BassBot #Allen&HeathXone:96 #StrymonBigSkyReverb #OtoBoumWarmingUnit #DoepferA-100 #Soundtoys Kerrie Anderson Biog Irish-born, Manchester-based Kerrie is a multidisciplinary artist and resident DJ at Tresor. Performing live sets, producing music and DJing worldwide, she also runs her label Dark Machine Funk, which showcases her raw, industrial-tinged techno sound. Kerrie…

To commemorate the centenary of electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram on 31 December 2025, Caro C explores Oram’s lasting influence in a conversation with Sarah Angliss and Ian Stonehouse. The episode continues with Shiva Feshareki and James Bulley discussing their Proms performance of Still Point, Oram’s innovative orchestral work from 1948 that integrated electronic sound and live manipulation. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction Sarah Angliss & Ian Stonehouse 02:15 - Composer, Inventor and the Radiophonic Workshop 06:42 - Inspired by the sound-houses of Francis Bacon 11:34 - Working In Frequency, Not Pitch 13:01 - Tower Folly and the Oramics Machine 16:09 - Working With Post-War Equipment 22:12 - Insights and Inspiration from the Archives 26:56 - Top Musical Selections From the Archive Shiva Feshareki & James Bulley 32:57 - A Proms Performance Of Still Point 37:55 - The Daphne Oram Archive and Goldsmiths 41:12 - Creating A Historically Accurate Performance 45:22 - Following The Written Instructions 53:27 -…

Vicky Clarke joins Caro C to explore her experimental approach to sound, from field recording and neural synthesis to AI technologies and spatial audio. She also discusses immersive installations, open-source tools and the unconventional inspirations that drive her work. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:06 - Field Recording, Musique Concrète and DIY Electronics 05:34 - Residency In Russia 06:27 - Neural Synthesis And Machine Learning 10:53 - Working On Aura Machine 14:16 - Working With AI Technologies 16:35 - Open Source Software 18:30 - Developing An Immersive Sound Installation 20:41 - Fear Around Technology 22:23 - Spatial Audio Using Spat 25:28 - Routing Ableton For Spatial Audio 27:53 - Sculptures As Sound Sources 30:32 - Adopting Emergent Technology 33:53 - Geology As A Source Of Inspiration #ableton #spat Vicky Clarke Biog Vicky Clarke is a sound and electronic media artist from Manchester, whose work explores materiality, electrical phenomena and ritual. Working with sound sculpture, DIY electronics…

Producer, sound designer and composer Jonathan Snipes joins William Stokes to explore his work with experimental hip-hop group Clipping, sharing an inside look at their unique production process, before showcasing five modules in an exclusive live performance. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:12 - Combining Hip Hop And Experimental Sounds 12:45 - Unconventional Sounds And Beats 16:52 - Annea Lockwood Piano Burning 20:59 - 5U Modular Selection 24:31 - Module 1: Q106 Oscillator 29:43 - Module 2: Modcan Digital Delay 38:51 - Module 3: Modcan Frequency Shifter 39b 43:04 - Module 4: Modcan Quad Envelope 60b 47:41 - Module 5: Tellun TLN-156 Neural Agoniser 52:04 - Live Performance #Q106Oscillator #ModcanDigitalDelay #ModcanFrequencyShifter #ModcanQuadEnvelope #TellunTLN-156 Jonathan Snipes Biog Jonathan Snipes is a producer, composer and sound designer based in Los Angeles, where he teaches sound design in the theatre and film departments at UCLA. As well as his work for film, television and theatre, he is known…

Mercury-nominated vocalist, composer and producer ESKA talks about her favourite studio gear and how her background as a live jazz musician shapes her approach to writing and recording. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - ESKA's Journey Into Music 06:21 - Using Tech To Tell A Story 14:23 - Approaching Each Track Individually 16:35 - Developing A Sonic Identity 20:18 - Live vs Studio Artist Methods 26:59 - Solo Albums And Soundtracks 31:47 - Exploration And Improvisation 32:43 - Collaborating With Musicians 38:57 - Live Performances With Ableton #CamelCrusher #NeumannTLM103 #NeumannU87 #PrismLyra2 #AbletonLive Eska Biog ESKA is a Mercury Award nominated singer, songwriter, composer and producer. Her music blends elements of folk, soul, psychedelia and electronica, shaped by years of live performance and a strong jazz influence. She has released acclaimed projects including her self-titled debut album ESKA and her more recent release, The Ordinary Life of a Magic Woman. Her work has received radio support…

Composer, producer and Buchla enthusiast Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith joins William J. Stokes to discuss her latest album Gush. She also treats listeners to a live set, performed on a carefully curated selection of Buchla 200e modules. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Peacock Moments 06:24 - Working With Suzanne Ciani 10:54 - Discovering Buchla And Eurorack 16:40 - Blending Sensibilities 23:21 - Buchla 200e Modular System And 223e Input 28:48 - 259e and 261e Waveform Generators 36:58 - 296e Spectral Processor 43:37 - 227e System Interface 51:25 - The Performance #buchla200e #buchla223e #buchla259e #buchla #261e #buchla 296e #buchla 227e Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith Biog Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is a classically trained American composer, producer and performer originally from the Pacific Northwest who now lives in Los Angeles. Drawing upon her formal training in composition and sound engineering from Berklee College of Music, she initially explored vocal performance, classical guitar and piano before her creative…

Catherine Anne Davies, also known as The Anchoress, joins Caro C to discuss her preferred recording methods, the decision to invest in her own studio and receiving three consecutive MPG Award nominations. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:14 - From Multitrack To MPG Nominations 04:09 - Balancing Locations And Condensed Hours 08:14 - Old School Recording Techniques 11:20 - Recording Piano And Vocals 12:51 - Piano Recording Technique 14:09 - Re-releasing Communion 18:57 - Last Night From Glasgow 21:39 - Favourite Synths 24:41 - New Album Project 27:20 - Recording Own Vocals 32:24 - Teaching Catherine Anne Davies Biog Catherine Anne Davies is a producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter originally from Wales. Her artist project, The Anchoress, has seen her twice nominated for the Welsh Music Prize and named an Album of the Year by everyone from Elton John to The Sunday Times, to Record Collector. A three times nominee for the prestigious Music Producers Guild Awards, Catherine’s early roots as a…

Composer and musician Yann Tiersen talks to William Stokes about his love of modular synthesis, the joys and challenges of touring and performing and how he found himself unexpectedly involved in film composition, followed by an exclusive performance using five selected modules. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:26 - An Accidental Film Composer 05:44 - Recording And Mixing Process 11:38 - Visiting Erica Synths 13:21 - Trans Musicale Festival In Rennes 18:47 - Eskal Studio On Ouessant Island 21:00 - Module 1: Serge New Timbral Oscillator 25:51 - Module 2: Instruō Lúbadh 31:06 - Module 3: Mutable Instruments Beads 32:58 - Module 4: Erica Synths Black Stereo Delay 37:21 - Module 5: TouellSkouarn Ar Merc'het Brao 41:30 - Yann Tiersen Performance Yann Tiersen Biog Yann Tiersen is a French composer and multi-instrumentalist whose work spans classical, electronic, and experimental music. He gained international recognition in 2001 for his soundtrack to Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain (Amélie), following the…

Nick Rothwell is joined by Jeff Albert, Associate Professor at Georgia Tech, and Paul McCabe, Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation at Roland, to discuss the 2025 Guthman Musical Instrument Competition - an annual event showcasing new technologies and innovations in music. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:10 - Jeff Albert And Georgia Tech 05:02 - Paul McCabe And Roland's Future Design Lab 10:17 - Judging The Guthman Competition 12:06 - Getting Hands-On With The Instruments 13:45 - Getting The Back Stories From The Creators 15:11 - A Wide Range Of Instruments And Technologies 17:37 - Face-To-Face Demos And Performances 18:45 - The Origins Of The Guthman Competition 21:33 - The 2025 Winner: Chromaplane 24:55 - 3rd Place: Adult Corythosaurus 30:34 - How The Instruments Are Judged The Guthman Musical Instrument Competition The Guthman Musical Instrument Competition began in 1996, founded by Georgia Tech alumnus Richard Guthman in tribute to his wife Margaret, a talented pianist. Originally a jazz…

Oli Freke talks us through the history of samplers, from the introduction of the Mellotron in 1963, through to current day sampling software, while highlighting the golden era of sampling from the late 80s to early 90s. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:08 - The Mellotron 02:28 - Pre-Digital Samplers 03:18 - Pierre Schaeffer And The Phonogène 04:03 - Peter Zinovieff And EMS 05:44 - The University Of Illinois' PLATO 06:08 - Harry Mendell's Melodian 07:21 - Wendel Sampling Computer 08:29 - The Fairlight and Fairlight II 15:20 - The Fundamentals Of Sampling 19:43 - The Synclavier 23:47 - Digital Delay Lines (DDLs) 26:04 - EMU Systems Emulator 31:01 - Ensoniq Mirage 32:39 - Other Notable 1980s Releases 34:46 - Akai S1000 and Roland S Series 38:14 - Sampling And Legal Issues 41:16 - Modern Day Sampling Oli Freke Biog Oli Freke is a London based musician, artist and author who has had a life-long passion for electronic instruments, synthesizers and electronic music. Currently working for the BBC, he has previously…

Composer, pianist and producer Martin Kohlstedt talks to Caro C about his approach to combining piano and electronic instruments, improvisation in the studio and on stage, plus the work he is doing to reduce the carbon footprint of touring. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:42 - Combining Piano And Electronics 05:10 - Organic, Improvised Performances 09:29 - Incorporating The Voice Into Recordings 10:23 - Favoured Hardware Choices 12:56 - Touring Equipment 15:54 - Selecting A Live Team 17:10 - The Recording Process 20:14 - Launching The Edition Kohlstedt Label 23:39 - Film, TV and Other Commissions 25:11 - The Process Of Collaboration 27:14 - The Influenced Of Nature 30:15 - Supporting Ecological Projects 32:07 - Planning The Touring Schedule 35:52 - Kinship With Other Artists Martin Kohlstedt Biog Martin Kohlstedt is a composer, pianist and producer known for his work in instrumental music and electronica. His albums, including Tag and Nacht, Strom, Ströme, Flur and Feld, along with their respective reworks,…

Composer and Sound Designer Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe tells Caro C about his preferred sound modules and working methodologies, plus shares details some of the film and TV projects that he has recently been collaborating on. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:35 - Finding A Musical Voice 04:38 - Choosing Modular Synthesis 10:18 - Avant Garde Artistry 17:14 - Current Modular Setup 23:19 - Other Favourite Modules 28:11 - Composing For TV And Film 34:03 - Combining Hardware And Software #morphagene #spectraphon #dxg #optomix #proworkout #arbhar Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe Biog Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe is an artist, curator and composer based in Brooklyn, New York. Robert is known for his work with modular synthesis combined with voice. Along with analogue video synthesis works, he has had exhibitions of his work at John Michael Kohler Art Center, Museum of Art and Design, Kunsthal Charlottenborg and the Broad. Over the last several years Robert has collaborated on projects or provided sound in a featured artist capacity…

In this occasional series exploring modular synthesis and live performance, William Stokes talks to Tony Rolando, electronic musician and founder of modular company Make Noise. Tony talks about his beginnings in the industry and how Make Noise has relaunched in 2025 with a new team and a brand new module release, which he then showcases in an exclusive performance alongside four additional modules. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 05:22 - Creating Social Media Posts 12:10 - Recent Innovations In Modular 14:02 - Revisioning Jettisoned Music Technology 21:08 - Module 1: Maths 30:17 - Module 2: Morphagene 47:42 - Module 3: Qpas 57:57 - Module 4: Bruxa 01:12:52 - Module 5: New Universal Synthesizer System 01:27:40 - The Performance Tony Rolando Biog Tony Rolando is a self-taught musician and electronic musical instrument designer who started his career building electronics for artists, such as the light controlled mixer for Simon Lee’s “Bus Obscura,” working for Moog Music and playing in bands. He has recently…

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking E-mu Systems Emulator II sampler, Dave Rossum, Kevin Monahan and Paul Wiffen share inside stories of the development and manufacture of the instrument, their struggles to get around the technological limitations of the time and how the instrument was widely adopted by bands, artists and pop culture. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:50 - The Origins Of The Emulator 03:59 - The E-mu Name 04:57 - Kevin's Background 08:09 - Paul's Background 11:19 - The Motivation For Creating Emulator II 16:26 - Specific Challenges 25:19 - The Challenges Of Adding Hard Drives 30:35 - How Did The Iconic Industrial Design Come About? 35:11 - Having Two Disc Drives 38:22 - How Artists Responded To The Emulator II 46:46 - Using Sampling To Create Novelty Sounds 56:08 - Kevin's Contribution To Ferris Bueller's Day Off 57:37 - The Legacy Of The Emulator II And Sampling #EmulatorII #Drumulator #SP12 "This is all part of musical creativity, which is what I love about my job…

Electronic music pioneer and composer Suzanne Ciani discusses her career highlights in conversation with William Stokes, including early performance struggles due to her determination to present shows in quadraphonic, a career resurgence thanks to Moogfest and why she loves working with the Buchla interface. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:06 - The First Female To Score A Movie 04:01 - Having More Than 20 Albums 04:36 - Golden Apples Of The Sun 07:55 - Live Performance Struggles 11:57 - A Love Of Programming 14:09 - Interacting With A Buchla 17:14 - A New Way Of Performing Music 22:32 - The Buchla 250 MARF 25:36 - Making A Comeback At Moogfest 29:36 - Creating Spatial Content 38:40 - A Meeting Of Art And Science 41:36 - Future Plans "I didn't build the machines, I certainly didn't design them, but I could interact with them and use them, you know, and that's what I liked". #buchla #moog Suzanne Ciani Biog Suzanne is a five-time Grammy award-nominated composer, electronic music pioneer, and neo-classical…

Krust, also known as K or DJ Krust, chats about his early involvement in the Bristol music scene in the late 80s to early 90s, the development of the Drum & Bass sound and setting up the Full Cycle and Dope Dragon labels with Roni Size. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:28 - Early Influences And Getting Started 07:28 - Getting Immersed In Rave 08:45 - Launching A Label 10:23 - Learning The Equipment 12:12 - Jungle DJ / Producers 16:11 - Creating A Sound Palette 17:58 - Making Use Of Hardware 19:52 - Preparing A Track 23:23 - Dealing With Burnout 28:20 - Helping Musicians 31:06 - Crafting The New Album 41:15 - The Current Jungle / DnB Scene 48:36 - Current And Future Projects Interviewee Biog Bristol-born b-boy Kirk Thompson is best known as DJ and producer Krust, an artist whose ideas and frequencies rumble and resonate deep within jungle’s DNA. With an indelible legacy as a key figurehead in the Bristol sound, he has never compromised since emerging in 1989 as a member of Fresh 4. As a founding member of…

Pedals are not just for guitars. Here Paul White connects his extensive pedal collection to a modular synth system, effectively using the pedals as additional modules and suggesting some creative ways of setting up and combining them to create a range of sounds for different applications. (00:00) - Introduction (00:42) - Connecting Your Pedals (01:31) - Using A Delay Or Reverb (03:49) - Adding Some Overdrive (04:38) - Adding Effects With Pitch Shift (05:37) - Using Chorus To Thicken A Sound (06:28) - Tremolo And Vibrato (06:54) - Phasers And Flangers (08:10) - Adding An Envelope Filter (09:21) - Creating Textures With Granular Delay (10:26) - Ring Modulator Effects (11:52) - Combining Effects (14:33) - Adding In An Arpeggiator (15:23) - Creating A Softer Sound Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:42 - Connecting Your Pedals 01:31 - Using A Delay Or Reverb 03:49 - Adding Some Overdrive 04:38 - Adding Effects With Pitch Shift 05:37 - Using Chorus To Thicken A Sound 06:28 - Tremolo And Vibrato 06:54 - Phasers And…

In this first part of an occasional series exploring modular synthesis and live performance. William Stokes talks to experimental electronic musician Scanner about his career, the choice of his favourite modules he'll showcase in his closing performance and the friendliness of the modular community. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:13 - The Tate Modern Installation 02:52 - Working With Laurie Anderson 06:40 - The Origin Of The Name Scanner 10:47 - Module 1: Morphagene 14:30 - Module 2: Mimeophon 18:52 - Module 3: Equation Composer 24:08 - Module 4: QU-Bit Prism 26:51 - Finding Your Sound With Modular 29:22 - Module 5: QU-Bit Nano Rand 31:16 - Module 6: Instruō øchd DivKid 33:12 - Modular Social Community 35:31 - Modular Aesthetics 38:38 - Module 7: Bela Gliss 42:37 - The Performance Morphagene - https://www.makenoisemusic.com/modules/morphagene/ Mimeophon - https://www.makenoisemusic.com/modules/mimeophon/ Equation Composer (discontinued) QU-Bit Prism - https://www.qubitelectronix.com/shop/p/prism QU-Bit…

Jason Singh is a sound artist, producer and performer. His creative output is an exploration of the natural world, voice and a wide range of music technologies. Works include live performance, immersive installations, studio recordings, broadcasts and sound walks. In this show he talks about how he makes music using the MIDI Sprout interface, a device that senses the electrical voltage of plants and converts it into MIDI information. He then uses the notes to control Ableton to produce the sounds he used in his recordings and immersive installations. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:48 - Getting Started in Audio 06:17 - Collaborating With Other Creatives 09:46 - Studio Toys 12:48 - Custom Built Instruments And Interfaces 14:08 - Live Performances 19:41 - Collaborating With Nature Using Biofeedback 25:07 - Using The MIDI Sprout and PlantWave 29:47 - Experiencing Nature Sounds In Real-Time 31:44 - Creating An Immersive Installation For Womad 40:54 - Opening Your Ears To Everyday Sounds Audio Credits: Afternoon…

In an impromptu chat, Tom Oberheim tells Sam Inglis about his early years as an engineer and his accidental route into creating electronic musical instruments. As he celebrates his 50th year since the launch of the SEM, Tom talks about the rise of digital, the resurgence of analogue and the launch of the new TEO-5. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:26 - An Accidental Engineer 02:46 - Building For Musicians 06:34 - Becoming a Distributor For The ARP 2600 11:05 - Designing The SEM 12:43 - The Filter Design 15:03 - The OB-1 And Patch Memories 16:36 - OB-X - Polyphony And Programmable Presets 19:35 - The Oberheim Sound 22:37 - The Digital Takeover 24:40 - The Resurgence Of Analogue 28:01 - Launching The OB-X8 With Focusrite 29:23 - The Oberheim TEO-5 30:37 - Utilising New Technology Oberheim Biog Oberheim is the 21st century return of the legendary company that helped fuel the original electronic music revolution in the 1970s. Now, just as then, Oberheim is guided by the vision of engineer and inventor, Tom…

Electronic Music artist Jlin talks about her processes for creating a new work, being ready to tour straight from the studio and staying grounded and focused when your work starts to gain recognition. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:27 - The Journey So Far 03:09 - Using FL Studio 03:50 - Live Performance With Ableton 09:23 - Developing A Sound World 10:51 - Focusing On The Detail 12:12 - CPU: Clean, Precise And Unpredictable 14:55 - Favourite Plug-ins 16:02 - Preparing For A New Project 18:36 - Being Disciplined 21:33 - Staying Humble And Working Hard 23:55 - Preparing For A Tour 26:13 - Stereo Vs Immersive 29:14 - Going With The Flow Jlin Biog Jlin (Jerrilynn Patton) has quickly become one of the most distinctive composers in America and one of the most influential women in electronic music. Jlin’s thrilling, emotional and multidimensional compositions have earned her praise as “one of the most forward-thinking contemporary composers in any genre” (Pitchfork). She is a recipient of a 2023 US Artist award…

The drum machine has progressed massively since the days of the home organ player. Here Oli Freke takes us through a brief history with lots of audio examples, highlighting the most iconic models to have been released during the last 40 years and the part that they have played in shaping musical trends. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:51 - Early Rhythm Machines 02:57 - The First Korg Rhythm Machine 04:03 - The Invention Of The Transistor 08:02 - Solid State Rhythm Machines 13:48 - Using Drum Machines In Mainstream Hits 17:05 - The First Programmable Drum Machines 21:53 - The Introduction Of Drum Pads And Brains 25:22 - The Arrival Of Digital Samples And The Linn Drum 30:53 - The Era Of Sampling Drum Machines 37:06 - The Impact Of The Roland TR-808 and TR-909 42:49 - Other Notable 80s Drum Machines 44:35 - The Introduction of MIDI 46:45 - Standardised Layouts And Spec 50:07 - Analogue Circuit Modelling And Software 53:40 - Back To Hardware With Eurorack Modular 54:47 - Drum Pattern Generation With AI Oli…

As a tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto on the first anniversary of his passing, Caro C talks to Richard Barbieri, Natalie Beridze and Carsten Nicolai, aka Alva Noto, three musicians who were fortunate enough to collaborate with him. Here, they share some insights into his mindset and methodologies. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:44 - Richard Barbieri 09:04 - Natalie Beridze 19:45 - Carsten Nicolai / Alva Noto Ryuichi Sakamoto Biog Ryuichi Sakamoto was a multi award-winning keyboardist, songwriter, composer and producer who along with Haruomi Hosono and Yukihiro Takahashi, became pioneers of the electronic music genre in Honsono's band Yellow Magic Orchestra. Prior to his success with the band, Sakamoto earned a B.A. in music composition and worked as a session musician and producer. Alongside his success with the band, he continued his solo work, releasing solo albums and collaborations, experimenting with various genres and fusing traditional with electronic. This work led to him scoring more than 30 films…

Henrietta Smith-Rolla, known professionally as Afrodeutsche, gives Caro C insights into her musical journey, from her introduction to the music industry in Manchester, finding her sound, getting signed to Skam Records and becoming a BBC 6 Music DJ with a prime-time Friday evening slot. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:22 - BBC 6 Music 04:05 - Becoming A Musician 06:40 - Getting Signed To Skam 10:11 - Equipment Used On Debut Album 13:59 - Using Synth Pads 16:19 - More Recent Projects 18:19 - Creating Sample Packs For Spitfire 20:11 - Working With The Kyma 27:09 - Being Productive 32:30 - Balancing Different Projects Afrodeutsche Biog AFRODEUTSCHE (Henrietta Smith-Rolla), is a British born Ghanaian/Russian/German artist, composer, producer, and DJ based in Manchester, UK. Her polyrhythmic compositions integrate a wide array of musical genres, including Afrofuturistic electro and techno, classical solo piano and Detroit legacy house; all memorable journeys into deep, abstracted sound. Praised by the Guardian…

Richard James Burgess is a man who wears many hats. In a career that spans over five decades, Richard was first and foremost a drummer. In the 1970s, he became a part of the London music scene as a session drummer, as well as with the ground- breaking band Landscape. Richard combined his passion for music, drumming and electronics when he worked closely with Dave Simmons on the Simmons SDS-V drum kit. After Landscape dissolved, he began to work more behind the desk, being one of the first to own a Fairlight CMI in the U.K. He would go on to work with the likes of Kate Bush, Spandau Ballet, Visage and Colonel Abrams. The 1990s saw Burgess re-enter the world of academia and he would go on to write some of the most comprehensive guides on music production. Recently, Landscape released ‘Landscape A Go-Go’, a comprehensive 5 CD anthology of their work covering their entire recorded output between 1977 and 1983. Richard recently chatted to Rob from his New York apartment, where he talked about his journey with…

In May of 1983, the world of synthesizers and electronic music as we knew it would change forever with the launch of the Yamaha DX7. To celebrate 40 years since its launch, Rob Puricelli spoke to Dr John Chowning, the developer of FM synthesis, Dave Bristow and Gary Leuenberger, sound designers for the original DX7 and Manny Fernandez, who has worked on all Yamaha’s FM projects from the Mk.II DX7 through to today’s Montage M series. See the Show Notes for further details. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:55 - First Experiences Of The DX7 12:49 - Did The DX7 Meet Expectations? 16:57 - The Feedback Loop 17:51 - Creating And Sharing Sounds 22:47 - A Career From Creating Patches 27:55 - Sound Design Using FM 31:36 - Hearing Your Own Sounds 34:26 - Working With Don Lewis 44:26 - Demonstrating The DX7 57:00 - FM Synthesis 40 Years On 01:07:12 - Formant Shaping And The Future Of FM Dr John Chowning Biog Born in Salem, New Jersey in 1934, John Chowning spent his school years in Wilmington, Delaware. Following…

In celebration of Delia Derbyshire Day 2023 and the 60th Anniversary of the Doctor Who theme, Caro C is joined by fellow devotees Mark Ayres, David Butler and Cosey Fanni Tutti to discuss the Delia Derbyshire Day archives and the importance of her contributions to the development of electronic music. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:26 - Delia Derbyshire Archive Mark Ayres 03:15 - Mark Ayres Introduction 07:44 - The Beginnings Of Electronic Music 10:12 - Electronic Sound Sources 13:10 - The Delia Derbyshire Archives 18:40 - Favourite Piece - The Makeup Tape Of Blue Veils 22:21 - The Future Of The Archives David Butler 24:38 - David Butler Introduction 28:59 - The Contents Of The Archives 33:17 - Building A Network Of Collaborators 35:03 - Methods And Techniques Revealed 36:59 - Manipulating The Voice 39:05 - Favourite Piece - Two Houses And Demo Cue Cosey Fanni Tutti 41:42 - Cosey Fanni Tutti Introduction 43:42 - Delia Derbyshire Musical Influences 45:24 - A Background In Physics 48:50 - Favourite Piece -…

DJ, Artist and Producer NikNak chats to Caro C about her route into immersive performances and turntablism, from her time as a student through to winning awards and launching her own albums, EPs and singles with the assistance of various funding organisations. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:12 - What Is Turntablism? 03:20 - Source Music 06:18 - Supportive Organisations 07:50 - Avoiding Copyright Issues 10:22 - Equipment Over The Years 15:03 - Immersive Performances 23:58 - MIDI Footpedals 25:46 - Performance Challenges 32:26 - Current Projects NikNak Biog As a DJ, NikNak has shared the stage with the likes of Mr Scruff, Lefto Early Bird, Ila Brugal, Jamz Supanova, Craig Charles, Om Unit, Jon1st, Grandmaster Flash and has performed at Berghain, Glastonbury, Outlook UK, Dimensions, Cuidad Emergente in Argentina, FiftyLab Festival in Brussels and many more events. On the radio, NikNak has shown her huge musical knowledge via shows like "Melanin" on Worldwide FM and "Dystopia" on Refuge Worldwide. As an…

Bristol-based musician and songwriter Hazel Mills talks us through her impressive career, from working as a touring session musician, being a member of the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, working with UDO Audio and releasing her debut solo E.P. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:30 - Working As A Keyboardist 03:12 - MIDI Controller Of Choice 04:04 - Live Arrangements And Sounds 09:36 - Working With A Musical Director 10:56 - Collection Of Synths 12:04 - Getting Onto This Path 16:22 - Synth Secrets Series 18:23 - Will Gregory Moog Ensemble 24:28 - Releasing A Solo E.P. 31:55 - Working With UDO Audio 34:42 - Future Projects Hazel Mills Biog Hazel Mills is a Bristol-based musician/songwriter who has toured the globe across multiple genres, with artists including Florence + The Machine, Dave Rowntree (Blur), Goldfrapp, Birdy, Hannah Peel and The Will Gregory Moog Ensemble. Her Classical background, pop sensibilities and passion for 1960s American minimalism and analog synths feed into both her performance and her…

Richard Evans has worked in the music industry for over thirty years in a variety of roles, including positions at London Records, Factory Records and MTV Europe. In 1998 he set up marketing consultancy The Fan Base and has been connecting musical artists with their audiences ever since. He is the founder of the This Is Not Retro website and record label and has worked for Andy Bell, Vince Clarke and Erasure since 2009. During the pandemic, Richard set out to create a definitive record of electronic music during its earliest and most defining era, between 1978 and 1983. Instead of interviewing people with rose-tinted and distorted memories of that period, he instead decided to research the very magazines and publications being created as things happened to piece together an accurate record of the movement as it unfolded in real time. See the Show Notes for further details. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:16 - Why chose this 5-year period? 04:40 - What made you want to write this book? 12:17 - What do you…

Alan R Pearlman was responsible for some of the greatest sounding and most intuitive synthesizers of the modern age, many of which are still highly sought after or emulated to this day. Inspired, as so many were, by hearing Wendy Carlos’s 'Switched on Bach', he founded Tonus in 1969, a company that would soon become ARP Instruments, and began producing synthesizers such as the legendary ARP 2500, 2600 and Odyssey. Since his passing in 2019 at the age of 93, his daughter, Dina, has been building the Alan R Pearlman Foundation, an organisation that seeks to preserve her father’s legacy and enable as many people as possible to get hands-on with his inventions. As with all not-for-profits, Dina has faced numerous challenges, but with the help of the likes of Jean Michel Jarre, Herbie Hancock and many other fans of Alan’s work, the Foundation is beginning to realise its objectives with great success. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:18 - The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation 06:52 - The Main Aims Of The Foundation…

Chris Clark, known professionally as just Clark, reveals how he got signed to Warp Records, his recording and production workflow and how Thom Yorke ended up as a guest vocalist on his latest album, Sus Dog. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:36 - Getting Signed To Warp Records 03:45 - Recording Workflow 05:08 - Updating Equipment 07:35 - Early Musical Influences 09:35 - Switching Over To Software 10:40 - Hardware Still In The Studio 12:37 - Limiting Plug-in Use 16:52 - Collaborating And Working Solo 19:21 - Sus Dog And Thom Yorke 23:33 - Live Performances 27:47 - Learning About Other Producers 30:07 - Additional Projects 33:49 - Preparing The Next Album Clark Biog Chris Clark signed to legendary British indie label Warp Records at an early age and has to date released thirteen albums as well as a multitude of EPs and singles. His recent studio album ‘Playground In A Lake’ for the legendary classical label Deutsche Grammophon, fused his trademark electronics with strings from acclaimed cellist Oliver Coates,…

Paul White takes us on a sonic journey as he explores the endless possibilities of sound design using a guitar as your sound source. Through the use of foot pedals and effects plug-ins he demonstrates the synth-like sound and textures it can bring to your electronic music. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:55 - Guitars As A Sound Source 03:55 - Sustaining Notes 06:10 - Using an EBow 07:09 - Adding Vibrato 07:48 - Emulating Multiple Oscillators 08:54 - Adding Plug-in Effects 10:16 - Using Granular Delays 11:40 - Creating Percussive And Rhythmic Effects 13:43 - The Completed Soundscape Paul White Biog Paul White joined the Sound On Sound team in 1991 where he became Editor In Chief, a position he held for many years before recently becoming Executive Editor. Paul has written more than 20 recording and music technology textbooks, the latest being The Producer’s Manual. Having established his own multitrack home studio in the 1970s he’s worked with many notable names including Bert Jansch and Gordon Giltrap. He’s…

Julie Campbell, known as LoneLady, is a musician, songwriter, singer and producer from Manchester, England. Here she tells Caro C about her writing and recording process and how she secured a deal with Warp Records. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:19 - Former Things 06:08 - Influences For The Album 08:55 - Curating The Ideas 12:19 - Touring The Album 15:21 - Warp Records 17:12 - The Album Cycle 19:20 - Supporting Peter Buck 23:38 - Building The Live Show 28:27 - Technical Development Lonelady Biog Inspired by British post-punk Julie first started making recordings in the early-mid 2000s on a 4-track cassette recorder. As her name indicates LoneLady writes, performs and records all the components of her music, building up her own soundworlds in a solitary creative process. Her debut album ‘’Nerve Up’’ was released on Warp in 2010 and her second album ”Hinterland” was released in 2015, with both receiving widespread critical acclaim. Julie recorded, mixed and produced Hinterland to near-completion in her home…

As part of Japan, Richard Barbieri soon became the thinking person’s synthesist, famous for his rich and textural electronic backings that beautifully complemented the work of other band members to forge what is still a unique sound to this day. Disbanding at the height of their fame, Richard went on to work on a wide array of projects, some with fellow members of Japan, one of which introduced him to Steven Wilson. He joined Porcupine Tree in 1993 and, aside from Wilson, is their longest serving member to this day. After a twelve year hiatus, Porcupine Tree reconvened to write and record ‘Closure / Continuation', their 11th and, some would say, best album to date. Rob Puricelli managed to catch up with Richard during rehearsals for the first leg of their tour to support the album and began by asking him about his first exposure to, and experience of, electronic music. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:16 - What was your first experience of electronic music? 03:33 - The Non-Musician 06:44 - Synth Heroes 10:05…

Graham Massey talks us through his early days with the formation of 808 State and improvising with electronic instruments, through to current collaborations and favourite creative tools. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:02 - The Beginnings Of 808 State 11:54 - Developing A Polished Production 14:56 - Musicality And Arrangements 17:29 - Incorporating Improvisation 20:09 - Performing Live 24:09 - Influencing Genres 26:29 - Favourite Creative Tools 30:16 - The Changing Access To The Arts 35:46 - Other Projects 41:47 - Future Collaborations Graham Massey Biog Graham Massey is probably best known for the pioneering work of 808 State who took the energy of the early UK rave scene into the pop charts with several uncompromising top 10 singles and albums in the 1990s. 808 State returned to international touring in 2018 to celebrate their 30th anniversary with the release of a new critically acclaimed album 'Transmission Suite' in 2019. Graham trained as a sound engineer at Manchester’s Spirit Studios in the mid 80s…

Mike Lindup is best known as the keyboardist and co-vocalist for Brit-Funk legends, Level 42. Mike has blended traditional keyboard instruments, such as the piano and Fender Rhodes, with a myriad pieces of cutting edge music tech over the years. We caught up with him ahead of his new solo release, Changes 2. See the Show Notes for further details.

The following is a short piece of audio that was edited out of the original podcast interview with Don Lewis back in November 2020, where he discusses his time programming the Yamaha DX7’s factory sounds. In the wake of Don’s passing we decided to publish this excerpt, along with a tribute on the website. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:29 - Yamaha DX7 and DX9 Demo 03:02 - The Beginnings Of FM Synthesis 09:26 - Working For The Competition 12:26 - Yamaha DX7 and DX9 Demo Don Lewis Biog Don Lewis was a gifted musician and educator whose mission was to inspire and empower audiences to achieve their dreams. Whether presenting a solo concert or collaborating with other musicians and artists, Don's music brought a message of hope, respect and community. Don began playing piano as a Dayton, Ohio high school student. Later, at Tuskegee Institute, he accompanied and sang with the Tuskegee Chorus and played for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Freedom Rallies. Uniting his interest in engineering with his musical talent,…

Martyn Ware has been at the forefront of the British synth-pop scene since its inception, founding the hugely influential Human League with Phil Oakey and Ian Craig Marsh. Martyn and Ian went on to establish the British Electric Foundation from which Heaven 17 emerged, along with work as a producer for the likes of Tina Turner and Terence Trent D’Arby. Martyn has since ventured into the world of immersive audio through his collaborations with Vince Clarke as well as being a Principal at Tileyard Education, a Visiting Professor at Queen Mary University of London and a board member at the Ivors Academy. This year, Martyn released his autobiography, entitled Electronically Yours Vol.1. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:44 - Why Write Your Autobiography Now? 02:13 - Sheffield 06:44 - Why Electronic Music? 09:57 - The Ware Ancestry 12:00 - Music And The Message 19:51 - Ripping Up The Rule Book 21:35 - The Split! 29:34 - British Electric Foundation 30:31 - Heaven 17 33:15 - Sananda Maitreya / Introducing the…

Part electronic visual music artist and part software developer as co-founder of Ableton, Robert Henke delves into the overlap between artist and engineer and how software needs to be accessible in order to encourage and not hinder the creative process. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:12 - Current Projects 03:23 - Lumière - Working With Lasers 06:49 - Building The Performance Software 08:54 - The Beginnings Of Ableton 11:37 - The Overlap Between Artist And Engineer 17:12 - Working With Audio Loops 20:49 - Making Software More Accessible 27:16 - Developing A Unique Sound 30:18 - Working Without Compression 36:27 - 8-Bit: The CBM 8032 AV Performance Robert Henke Biog Robert Henke's work is not easy to describe in a single sentence, and that already says a lot about what fascinates him: complexity and detail, often emerging from seemingly simple processes. Henke is a software developer, fascinated by the inherent beauty and elegance of technical constructions, and co-founder of music software company Ableton…

Susanne Kirchmayr, also known as Electric Indigo, is an Austrian music producer, Techno DJ and founder of the female:pressure, an international network of women in the electronic music industry. Here she chats to Caro C about her career beginnings through to her current projects. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:02 - Ferrum 7 music track 02:09 - Starting Out As A DJ 08:55 - Becoming A Music Producer 13:18 - Founding female:pressure 20:38 - An International Support Network 23:50 - Musical Styles 27:15 - Current Projects 29:57 - Ableton and Modular 31:10 - Working In Multi-Channel Audio 34:39 - Future Plans Electric Indigo Biog Electric Indigo, DJ, composer, musician has performed in 45 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. She represents an intelligent and distinguished interpretation of techno and electronic music. In 1998 she founded the transnational female:pressure network for which she received an Honorary Mention at Prix Ars Electronic in 2009. The Republic of Austria awarded her with the…

Michael Whalen is a two-time Emmy Award winning, Grammy-nominated composer with over 30 years experience composing for film and television, as well as being a recording artist in his own right, with over 800 million streams since 2015. Here he talks to Rob Puricelli about performing his latest instrumental album ‘Imaginary Trains’ to a live audience at the EMEAPP museum, using their extensive collection of rare vintage synthesizers. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:47 - What was the inspiration behind the album, “Imaginary Trains”? 05:06 - How did you come up with the idea for the live broadcast? 10:51 - What instruments did you choose from the EMEAPP collection 20:10 - How did you go about replacing the studio parts with the gear you chose? 22:44 - Did any instrument daunt you? 27:07 - Behind the scenes... 30:19 - The choice between live and sequenced 34:01 - Rehearsal and preparation 35:42 - Gear Acquisition Syndrome! (G.A.S.) 39:10 - Did any of these old machines let you down? 39:50 - Would you do this…

A tribute to the life and works of composer and synth pioneer Peter Zinovieff by James Gardner, featuring interviews with co-workers and collaborators. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:04 - Collaborations 04:13 - Replacing Tape With Digital 06:29 - The Move Into Computers 08:03 - The Launch of EMS 14:31 - Running A Studio From Home 16:16 - Working In Raasay 18:19 - The VCS3 And Synthi 20:05 - Copies And Virtual Versions 22:50 - Creativity Post EMS 26:49 - Lucy Railton Peter Zinovieff Biog Peter Zinovieff has been described as Britain’s Bob Moog. A renowned composer from the mid ‘60s to the present day, he was one of the founders of EMS who produced seminal synthesizers such as the VCS3 and the Synthi AKS, as used by Brian Eno, Pink Floyd and the Chemical Brothers. Music Credits Peter Zinovieff and Lucy Railton - RFG - Inventions for Cello and Computer - PAN Records PAN 90 (2020) Peter Zinovieff - Tarantella (1966) Peter Zinovieff - South Pacific Migration Party - The Association for Depth Sound Recordings…

Richard Norris tells Caro C about his early break into the music industry, success with The Grid in the 90s, plus his many collaborations, remixes and unexpected career turns. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:34 - Defining Career Moments 08:31 - The Gear Used By The Grid 10:27 - Musical Trajectory 20:35 - Favourite Equipment 25:58 - Interesting Collaborations 32:04 - Immersive Audio 35:51 - Future Projects Richard Norris Biog Richard Norris has been recording, producing and releasing music for more than four decades. Richard started out in a post punk band, recording his first single at the age of 13, before diving into acid house as co-producer of Jack The Tab, one of the UK's first acid house compilations. He then formed The Grid with Soft Cell's Dave Ball, who went on to have 10 UK hit singles, including the Balearic classic Floatation and the million-selling Swamp Thing. He collaborated with Erol Alkan for the Beyond The Wizards Sleeve project and released two solo albums as the Time and Space Machine.…