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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:28 - Early Influences And Getting Started07:28 - Getting Immersed In Rave08:45 - Launching A Label10:23 - Learning The Equipment12:12 - Jungle DJ / Producers16:11 - Creating A Sound Palette17:58 - Making Use Of Hardware19:52...

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...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:13 - The Tate Modern Installation02:52 - Working With Laurie Anderson06:40 - The Origin Of The Name Scanner10:47 - Module 1: Morphagene14:30 - Module 2:...

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...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:26 - An Accidental Engineer02:46 - Building For Musicians06:34 - Becoming a Distributor For The ARP 260011:05 - Designing The SEM12:43 - The Filter...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:27 - The Journey So Far03:09 - Using FL Studio03:50 - Live Performance With Ableton09:23 - Developing A Sound World10:51 - Focusing On The Detail12:12 - CPU: Clean, Precise And Unpredictable 14:55 - Favourite Plug-ins16:02 - Preparing For A New Project18:36 - Being...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:51 - Early Rhythm Machines02:57 - The First Korg Rhythm Machine04:03 - The Invention Of The Transistor08:02 - Solid State Rhythm Machines13:48 - Using Drum...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:44 - Richard Barbieri09:04 - Natalie Beridze 19:45 - Carsten Nicolai / Alva Noto Ryuichi Sakamoto BiogRyuichi Sakamoto was a multi award-winning keyboardist, songwriter,...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:22 - BBC 6 Music04:05 - Becoming A Musician06:40 - Getting Signed To Skam10:11 - Equipment Used On Debut Album13:59 - Using Synth Pads16:19 - More Recent Projects18:19 - Creating...

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...

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. Chapters00:00 -...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:26 - Delia Derbyshire ArchiveMark Ayres03:15 - Mark Ayres Introduction 07:44 - The Beginnings Of Electronic Music10:12 - Electronic Sound Sources13:10 - The Delia...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction02:12 - What Is Turntablism?03:20 - Source Music06:18 - Supportive Organisations07:50 - Avoiding Copyright Issues10:22 - Equipment Over The Years15:03 - Immersive Performances 23:58 - MIDI Footpedals 25:46 -...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:30 - Working As A Keyboardist 03:12 - MIDI Controller Of Choice04:04 - Live Arrangements And Sounds 09:36 - Working With A Musical Director10:56 - Collection Of Synths12:04 - Getting Onto This Path16:22 - Synth Secrets...

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...

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...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:36 - Getting Signed To Warp Records03:45 - Recording Workflow 05:08 - Updating Equipment07:35 - Early Musical Influences09:35 - Switching Over To Software10:40 - Hardware Still In The Studio12:37 - Limiting Plug-in Use16:52 - Collaborating And Working...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:55 - Guitars As A Sound Source03:55 - Sustaining Notes06:10 - Using an EBow07:09 - Adding Vibrato07:48 - Emulating Multiple Oscillators08:54 - Adding Plug-in Effects10:16 - Using Granular...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:19 - Former Things06:08 - Influences For The Album08:55 - Curating The Ideas12:19 - Touring The Album15:21 - Warp Records17:12 - The Album Cycle19:20 - Supporting Peter Buck 23:38 - Building The Live Show28:27 - Technical Development Lonelady...

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...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction02:02 - The Beginnings Of 808 State11:54 - Developing A Polished Production14:56 - Musicality And Arrangements17:29 - Incorporating Improvisation20:09 - Performing Live24:09 - Influencing Genres26:29 - Favourite Creative Tools30:16 - The Changing Access To The Arts35:46 - Other...

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. Chapters00:00 - Introduction02:29 - Yamaha DX7 and DX9 Demo03:02 - The Beginnings Of FM Synthesis09:26 - Working For The Competition12:26 - Yamaha DX7 and DX9 Demo Don Lewis BiogDon Lewis...

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...