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 trajectory shifted when a neighbour lent her a Buchla 100 modular synthesizer. Her music combines the use of modular, analogue and rare synthesizers, orchestral textures and voice.

Her early self-released works, including Cows Will Eat the Weeds and Tides: Music for Meditation and Yoga (2014), were followed by Euclid (2015), her first official album with Western Vinyl, which combined structured songwriting with ambient exploration. This was succeeded by EARS (2016), which critics praised for its seamless layering of organic instrumentation and analogue synthesis to evoke feelings of awe and disorientation. Her 2017 release, The Kid, marked a conceptual leap, tracing stages of human development through richly textured, emotionally resonant compositions that bolstered her status among experimental music audiences.

Kaitlyn has performed alongside artists like Hot Chip, Glass Beams, RY X, Caribou and Four Tet, composed original works for Apple, BBC Orchestra, Adult Swim, MoMA, Red Bull and others, plus her song “Stratus” was also synced in the 2023 film Priscilla Motion Picture Soundtrack. She has also collaborated with longtime inspiration Suzanne Ciani and other artists like Emile Mosseri, while exploring multidisciplinary projects through her label, Touchtheplants. On her latest album, GUSH, Kaitlyn sets her sights on aesthetics, focusing on the heightened awareness of and presence in the world where every interaction, whether with people, objects or nature, has the potential to become a moment of connection and personification.

https://kaitlynaureliasmith.com/

https://www.instagram.com/kaitlynaurelia/
https://www.facebook.com/kaitlynaurelia/
https://x.com/kaitlynaurelia

William J. Stokes Biog
William J. Stokes is a producer, writer and artist in three-piece avant-psych band Voka Gentle. As well as being a critic and columnist for Sound On Sound, conceiving the popular Talkback column and heading up the Modular column, he has also written on music and music technology for The Guardian, MOJO, The Financial Times, Electronic Sound and more. 

As an artist in Voka Gentle he has made records with producers from Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave) to Sam Petts-Davies (Radiohead, The Smile, Roger Waters), has had songs featured on franchises from FIFA Football to The Sims and has toured across the UK, Europe and the USA, playing festivals from Pitchfork Avant-Garde in Paris to SXSW in Austin, Texas. He has collaborated with artists including the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Morcheeba, Panda Bear and Sonic Boom. 

Alongside being a guitarist and pianist, he is a synthesis enthusiast with a particular interest in sampling and explorative sound manipulation. As a producer and engineer, he has made albums with acclaimed avant-garde musicians from composer Tullis Rennie to Mute Records artist Louis Carnell. “I’m always seeking out the most ‘out-there’, experimental, risk-taking musicians I can find to work with,” he says, “to capture vibrant, detailed recordings and create three-dimensional mixes of music that might otherwise struggle to know where to begin in the studio environment.” 

Stokes currently lectures in Music Production at City, University of London.

https://www.vokagentle.com/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 classically-trained flautist have seen her journey from her engineering and co-writing credits on Top 20 albums, to recently being appointed as Professor of Music Production and Songwriting at ICMP & SAE.

Since winning a PRS Writer/Producer award in 2019,  she has spent much of the last six years on her current obsession with vintage synthesizers, as well as building a growing reputation as a go-to remixer for artists such Bishi, Thea Gilmore, and Roxanne DeBastion. Catherine’s recent production projects include the lead radio single for Dot Allison’s remix project, producing and mixing on the Hen Hoose Vol. 2 compilation, co-producing her BBC 6 Music supported collaboration with Band Spectra, and producing and mixing the forthcoming Liberty’s Mother album.

Catherine has previously co-written with and worked alongside a variety of prominent industry names including  Ed Harcourt (Paloma Faith & James Bay),  Liam Howe (Jessie Ware, Marina) and Paul Statham (Kylie, Dido). She has also co-written with artists outside of the alternative rock genre, including MOBO-nominated singer-songwriter/cellist  Ayanna Witter-Johnson  and British rapper  Riz MC .

Catherine also joined the line-up of Simple Minds in 2014, appearing on the Big Music (2015)and Walk Between Worlds (2018) albums before departing in 2019.

She released her debut solo album Confessions of a Romance Novelist in 2016, a collaborative album In Memory of My Feelings (2020) with Bernard Butler. The Art Of Losing (2021), and Versions (2023).

http://theanchoress.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/theanchoress
http://instagram.com/theanchoressofficial
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCprifKdWotavrgXSy_qelEw

Caro C Biog
Caro C is an artist, engineer and teacher specialising in electronic music. Her self-produced fourth album 'Electric Mountain' is out now. Described as a "one-woman electronic avalanche" (BBC), Caro started making music thanks to being laid up whilst living in a double decker bus and listening to the likes of Warp Records in the late 1990's. This 'sonic enchantress' (BBC Radio 3) has now played in most of the cultural hotspots of her current hometown of Manchester, UK. Caro is also the instigator and project manager of electronic music charity Delia Derbyshire Day.

URL: http://carocsound.com/

Twitter: @carocsound
Inst: @carocsound

FB: https://www.facebook.com/carocsound/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 success of his 1998 album Le Phare, which achieved gold status in France.

Since then, Tiersen has released numerous studio albums and has performed extensively across Europe, North America and Asia. His discography includes collaborations with artists such as Jane Birkin, Elizabeth Fraser and Matt Elliott. His work has been featured in films, theatre productions and contemporary art installations.

Tiersen's compositions have appeared in a range of films beyond Amélie, including Good Bye, Lenin! (2003), Alice et Martin (1998) and Tabarly (2008), as well as various short films and documentaries. His music is frequently used for its emotive and atmospheric qualities, particularly in European cinema.

His latest release, Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour (2024), is a double album where the first part comprises eight solo piano pieces written during a 2023 sailing trip, each linked to a specific location. The second part shifts to electronic production, incorporating modular synths, samples and rhythmic textures, created following a night at sea near Belfast. The project reflects Tiersen’s ongoing interest in location-based composition and the integration of acoustic and electronic elements.

Tiersen records at his studio on the island of Ushant, off the coast of Brittany and continues to tour internationally.

https://www.yanntiersen.com/
https://www.instagram.com/yanntiersen
https://www.facebook.com/yanntiersen.official
https://www.youtube.com/yanntiersen

William Stokes Biog
William Stokes is a producer, writer and artist in three-piece avant-psych band Voka Gentle. As well as being a critic and columnist for Sound On Sound, conceiving the popular Talkback column and heading up the Modular column, he has also written on music and music technology for The Guardian, MOJO, The Financial Times, Electronic Sound and more. 

As an artist in Voka Gentle he has made records with producers from Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave) to Sam Petts-Davies (Radiohead, The Smile, Roger Waters), has had songs featured on franchises from FIFA Football to The Sims and has toured across the UK, Europe and the USA, playing festivals from Pitchfork Avant-Garde in Paris to SXSW in Austin, Texas. He has collaborated with artists including the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Morcheeba, Panda Bear and Sonic Boom. 

Alongside being a guitarist and pianist, he is a synthesis enthusiast with a particular interest in sampling and explorative sound manipulation. As a producer and engineer, he has made albums with acclaimed avant-garde musicians from composer Tullis Rennie to Mute Records artist Louis Carnell. “I’m always seeking out the most ‘out-there’, experimental, risk-taking musicians I can find to work with,” he says, “to capture vibrant, detailed recordings and create three-dimensional mixes of music that might otherwise struggle to know where to begin in the studio environment.” 

Stokes currently lectures in Music Production at City, University of London.

https://www.vokagentle.com/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 piano contest, it grew steadily over a decade, drawing students from dozens of US states.

As Georgia Tech's music landscape evolved, introducing a Music Technology Master’s in 2006 and launching the Georgia Tech Center for Music Technology in 2007, the competition shifted focus. In 2009, it was re-imagined as the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, celebrating innovation in musical instrument design. Now an international event, it attracts inventors from across the globe. From experimental prototypes to market-ready products, entrants showcase their creations live, competing for recognition as the most groundbreaking idea in music technology.

https://guthman.gatech.edu/

Jeff Albert Biog
An Associate Professor and Interim Chair at Georgia Tech, Jeff Albert’s areas of research and creative practice include improvisation and interaction, jazz performance, performance paradigms for live computer music and audio production. He has performed in concerts and festivals in the U.S and throughout Europe, and contributed as a performer, producer, or engineer on over 60 recordings, including the 2017 Grammy winner for Best Traditional Blues Album. He has been named a Rising Star in the DownBeat Critics Poll and his album Unanimous Sources was named a Top 10 album of 2020 by Jan Garelick in the Boston Globe. Albert received his B.M. from Loyola University New Orleans, and his M.M. from the University of New Orleans. In May of 2013, he became the first graduate of the PhD program in Experimental Music and Digital Media at Louisiana State University, where he was a founding member of the Laptop Orchestra of Louisiana (LOLs).

https://jeffalbert.com/

Paul McCabe Biog
Paul McCabe is the Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation at Roland, where he has spearheaded the development of the Future Design Labs. Under his leadership, this global R&D team of engineers and researchers has been dedicated to exploring and harnessing emerging trends, fostering innovation, and shaping the global creative landscape for the next 50 years. In addition to his work at Future Design Labs, Paul also brings his expertise to Roland's Central Marketing Group, where he provides executive leadership to Consumer Research and Insights. Throughout his career, Paul has held numerous leadership positions, including VP of R&D and Strategic Partnerships, VP of Global CX and VP of Global Marketing. At Roland Canada, he served in various key roles such as President & CEO, COO, Product Manager, Marketing Communications Manager, Technical Marketing and Product Specialist.

https://mccabepaulj.com/
https://www.instagram.com/mccabep/

Nick Rothwell Biog
Nick Rothwell is a composer, performer, software architect, coder and visual artist. He has built media performance systems for projects with Ballett Frankfurt and Vienna Volksoper, composed sound scores for Aydın Teker (Istanbul / Kapadokya), Shobana Jeyasingh, AWA Dance, Luz&Mannion Dance (Flamenco) and Undercurrent Theatre, programmed physical media sculptures with Simeon Nelson and Rob Godman, live coded in Mexico and in Berlin with sitar player Shama Rahman, collaborated with the body>data>space collective in Prague, Paris and Dresden, written software for Studio Wayne McGregor, Beinghuman in Kathmandu, the Pina Bausch Foundation and Nesta's FutureFest, consulted for Tate Modern, and developed algorithmic visuals for large-scale outdoor projections in Poland, Estonia, the Cambridge Music Festival and Lumiere (London / Durham). He has taught design at CODE Berlin and currently runs the Computer Science undergraduate course at University of the Arts London.

Project Cassiel - https://cassiel.com

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 enjoyed success with electro band Cassette Electrik supporting the Human League on tour, written music for television and produced dance music since the 1990s.

His Synth Evolution range of posters, celebrating the synthesizer and electronic music culture, launched in 2017 and led to the definitive, hand-illustrated book, ‘Synth Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back)’, featuring every commercial synth of the 20th century.

www.synthevolution.net
www.linktr.ee/olifreke

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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, have earned international recognition and led to global concert tours.

Kohlstedt’s music blends electronica with acoustic and analogue elements, incorporating classical piano, ambient sounds, field recordings, and score design. His work is characterised by the seamless integration of diverse influences and soundscapes. Whether performing at festivals, in intimate piano concerts, or creating movie scores, his music is dynamic and immersive, evolving in real-time during live performances.

He describes his approach as modular composition, where his pieces are never fixed. Improvisation plays a key role in his process and he values audience interaction, the freedom to experiment and to collaborate with people, spaces and contexts. Throughout his career, Kohlstedt has worked with notable partners such as the Leipzig Gewandhaus Choir, artists like Douglas Dare and Sudan Archives and labels including Warner Classics. In addition to his own compositions, he creates music and scores for films, plays, podcasts and audiobooks. Kohlstedt also runs his own label, Edition Kohlstedt that supports a reforestation project near his hometown.

https://martinkohlstedt.com/

Caro C Biog
Caro C is an artist, engineer and teacher specialising in electronic music. Her self-produced fourth album 'Electric Mountain' is out now. Described as a "one-woman electronic avalanche" (BBC), Caro started making music thanks to being laid up whilst living in a double decker bus and listening to the likes of Warp Records in the late 1990's. This 'sonic enchantress' (BBC Radio 3) has now played in most of the cultural hotspots of her current hometown of Manchester, UK. Caro is also the instigator and project manager of electronic music charity Delia Derbyshire Day.

URL: http://carocsound.com/

Twitter: @carocsound
Inst: @carocsound

FB: https://www.facebook.com/carocsound/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 for such films as “End of Summer”, “Sicario”, “Arrival”, “Last and First Men” with Johann Johannsson and “It Comes at Night” with Brian McOmber. In recent years Robert has scored “Candyman” for Nia DaCosta, “The Color of Care” and “Power” for Yance Ford, “Master” for Mariama Diallo, “Grasshopper Republic” for Daniel McCabe, docuseries “Telemarketers”, “UNION” for Brett Story and Stephen Maing, “The Man In My Basement” for Nadia Latif, “Life After" for Reid Davenport and “Seeds” for Brittany Shyne. Through collaboration Robert has worked with Tarek Atoui, Ben Russell, Ben Rivers, Rose Lazar, Nicolas Becker, Rashaad Newsome, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Hildur Guđnadóttir, Sabrina Ratté, Philippe Parreno, Evan Calder Williams, Ariel Kalma, Susie Ibarra and YoshimiO, as well as many others.

https://robertaikiaubreylowe.bandcamp.com/

Caro C Biog
Caro C is an artist, engineer and teacher specialising in electronic music. Her self-produced fourth album 'Electric Mountain' is out now. Described as a "one-woman electronic avalanche" (BBC), Caro started making music thanks to being laid up whilst living in a double decker bus and listening to the likes of Warp Records in the late 1990's. This 'sonic enchantress' (BBC Radio 3) has now played in most of the cultural hotspots of her current hometown of Manchester, UK. Caro is also the instigator and project manager of electronic music charity Delia Derbyshire Day.

URL: http://carocsound.com/

Twitter: @carocsound
Inst: @carocsound

FB: https://www.facebook.com/carocsound/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 released music with Important Records and the Asheville, NC based Ceremony of Seasons.

Tony is the founder, lead designer and co-owner of Make Noise, a modular synth company launched in 2008, known for modules such as the Morphagene and 0-Coast, popular with artists like Thom Yorke and Robert Lowe, aka Lichens. They operate out of Asheville, NC and have global distribution through a number of music tech dealers.

https://tonyrolando.bandcamp.com/
www.makenoisemusic.com

William Stokes Biog
William Stokes is a producer, writer and artist in three-piece avant-psych band Voka Gentle. As well as being a critic and columnist for Sound On Sound, conceiving the popular Talkback column and heading up the Modular column, he has also written on music and music technology for The Guardian, MOJO, The Financial Times, Electronic Sound and more. 

As an artist in Voka Gentle he has made records with producers from Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave) to Sam Petts-Davies (Radiohead, The Smile, Roger Waters), has had songs featured on franchises from FIFA Football to The Sims and has toured across the UK, Europe and the USA, playing festivals from Pitchfork Avant-Garde in Paris to SXSW in Austin, Texas. He has collaborated with artists including the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Morcheeba, Panda Bear and Sonic Boom. 

Alongside being a guitarist and pianist, he is a synthesis enthusiast with a particular interest in sampling and explorative sound manipulation. As a producer and engineer, he has made albums with acclaimed avant-garde musicians from composer Tullis Rennie to Mute Records artist Louis Carnell. “I’m always seeking out the most ‘out-there’, experimental, risk-taking musicians I can find to work with,” he says, “to capture vibrant, detailed recordings and create three-dimensional mixes of music that might otherwise struggle to know where to begin in the studio environment.” 

Stokes currently lectures in Music Production at City, University of London.

https://www.vokagentle.com/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

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 so much, is that I get to be at the forefront of inventing these tools that then the musicians can go figure out what to do with and blow my socks off" - Dave Rossum

Dave Rossum Biog
Dave Rossum is a pioneering figure in the field of electronic music and audio technology, celebrated as the co-founder of E-mu Systems. Rossum’s early interest in engineering and music led him to study at the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he developed a deep understanding of both electronic circuits and music theory.

In 1971, Rossum co-founded E-mu Systems with Scott Wedge. Initially focusing on modular synthesizers, the company became a cornerstone of the burgeoning electronic music scene. Rossum’s technical brilliance was pivotal in designing groundbreaking instruments, including the E-mu Emulator, one of the first affordable digital samplers, and the E-mu SP-1200 drum machine, which played a critical role in the development of hip-hop and electronic music.

Rossum’s work extended beyond instruments to innovations in sound synthesis and sampling technologies, many of which remain influential. After E-mu was acquired in the 1990s, Rossum continued to innovate. In 2016, he launched Rossum Electro-Music, a company dedicated to creating advanced modular synthesizer tools, such as the Morpheus filter and Assimil8or sampler, which appeal to contemporary electronic musicians.

Renowned for his combination of scientific rigour and musical sensitivity, Dave Rossum is regarded as a visionary who helped shape the sound of modern music and remains an influential force in the industry.

https://www.rossum-electro.com/

Kevin Monahan Biog
Kevin Monahan was a key figure at E-mu Systems, contributing to the company’s legacy of groundbreaking innovations in electronic music technology. Monahan played a pivotal role in the development and marketing of E-mu’s iconic products during the company’s peak in the 1980s and 1990s, helping bridge the gap between technical engineering and the creative needs of musicians.

As a product specialist and public face for E-mu Systems, Monahan was instrumental in introducing instruments like the E-mu Emulator series, the SP-1200 sampler, and the Proteus sound module to musicians around the world. His deep understanding of the technology, combined with his ability to communicate its potential to artists and producers, made him a vital part of E-mu’s success in both the professional and consumer music markets.

Beyond his technical expertise, Monahan’s passion for music and sound design made him a respected voice in the industry, helping to shape the culture and tools of electronic music during a transformative era. His contributions to E-mu’s success are remembered as an important chapter in the evolution of music technology.

Paul Wiffen Biog
Paul Wiffen is a renowned keyboard player, sound designer, and music technologist. With a career spanning decades, Wiffen has worked as both a musician and a consultant for leading synthesizer manufacturers, blending his technical expertise with a keen musical sensibility. At the height of the Emulator II's success, he was London's most prominent programmer of the instrument.

As a keyboardist, Wiffen has collaborated with prominent artists like Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel, as well as recording the bass line on the Band Aid single. As a sound designer he's been involved in several film scores, from Blade Runner with Vangelis to Jungle Fever with Stevie Wonder. His sound design work for manufacturers is equally notable —he played a significant role in programming and demonstrating groundbreaking synthesizers such as the Elka Synthex, OSCar and the Korg Z1, helping to shape the sound palettes of the 1980s and 1990s.

Known for his engaging live demonstrations at trade shows and clinics, Wiffen has also been an advocate for electronic music technology, helping musicians unlock the potential of new instruments and old.

Rob Puricelli Biog
Rob Puricelli is a Music Technologist and Instructional Designer who has a healthy obsession with classic synthesizers and their history. In conjunction with former Fairlight Studio Manager, Peter Wielk, he fixes and restores Fairlight CMI’s so that they can enjoy prolonged and productive lives with new owners. He also writes reviews and articles for Sound On Sound, his website Failed Muso, and other music-related publications, as well as hosting a weekly livestream on YouTube for the Pro Synth Network and guesting on numerous music technology podcasts and shows. He also works alongside a number of manufacturers, demonstrating their products and lecturing at various educational and vocational establishments about music technology.

www.failedmuso.com
Twitter: @failedmuso
Instagram: @failedmuso
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/failedmuso/

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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 recording artist who has released over 20 solo albums including "Seven Waves," and "The Velocity of Love," along with a landmark quad LP “LIVE Quadraphonic,” which restarted her Buchla modular performances. Her work has been featured in films, games, and countless commercials as well. 

She was inducted into the first class of Keyboard Magazine's Hall of Fame alongside other synth luminaries, including Bob Moog, Don Buchla and Dave Smith and received the Moog Innovation Award. Most recently, she is the recipient of the Independent Icon Award from A2IM, The Golden Ear Award and the SEAMUS Award.

Suzanne has provided the voice and sounds for Bally's groundbreaking "Xenon" pinball machine, created Coca-Cola’s pop-and-pour sound, designed logos for Fortune 500 companies and carved out a niche as one of the most creatively successful female composers in the world. A Life in Waves, a documentary about Ciani’s life and work, debuted at SXSW in 2017 and is available to watch on all digital platforms. 

Ciani is a graduate of Wellesley College and holds a Masters in Music Composition from the University of California, Berkeley.

http://sevwave.com/
https://transversales.bandcamp.com/album/golden-apples-of-the-sun-3

William Stokes Biog
William Stokes is a producer, writer and artist in three-piece avant-psych band Voka Gentle. As well as being a critic and columnist for Sound On Sound, conceiving the popular Talkback column and heading up the Modular column, he has also written on music and music technology for The Guardian, MOJO, The Financial Times, Electronic Sound and more. 

As an artist in Voka Gentle he has made records with producers from Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode, Grizzly Bear, Nick Cave) to Sam Petts-Davies (Radiohead, The Smile, Roger Waters), has had songs featured on franchises from FIFA Football to The Sims and has toured across the UK, Europe and the USA, playing festivals from Pitchfork Avant-Garde in Paris to SXSW in Austin, Texas. He has collaborated with artists including the Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne, Morcheeba, Panda Bear and Sonic Boom. 

Alongside being a guitarist and pianist, he is a synthesis enthusiast with a particular interest in sampling and explorative sound manipulation. As a producer and engineer, he has made albums with acclaimed avant-garde musicians from composer Tullis Rennie to Mute Records artist Louis Carnell. “I’m always seeking out the most ‘out-there’, experimental, risk-taking musicians I can find to work with,” he says, “to capture vibrant, detailed recordings and create three-dimensional mixes of music that might otherwise struggle to know where to begin in the studio environment.” 

Stokes currently lectures in Music Production at City, University of London.

https://www.vokagentle.com/

Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts