I'm thrilled to welcome Chris Carlson to the show. Chris is the developer of an iPad app called Borderlands, which has become the de facto standard in granular synthesis over the last 12 years since it was first introduced in 2012. Chances are, if you use an iPad to make music, then you've been recommended or shown this app at some point along the way, and in all likelihood, it probably lives on your iPad now. I knew that as soon as I started this podcast series, I wanted to talk to Chris and pick his brain on how it came to be and where it's headed. We had a great conversation and I hope you'll enjoy it.

Be sure as always to check out the substack page for links to a full transcript of our conversation with lots of additional context and photos, including sketches and sounds from the early days of Borderlands development.

--Chris Carlson is a software developer and musician based in Richmond, VA. He is the creator of Borderlands Granular, a visual music app designed for exploring sound with granular synthesis. Over the course of its nearly twelve years in the App Store, Borderlands has found its way into studio recordings, film scores, live performances, educational workshops, and field recording expeditions. It has developed a worldwide community of users including artists such as Fennesz, Laurel Halo, King Britt, Arovane, and Pan American. The app was honored with an Award of Distinction in Digital Music and Sound Art in the 2013 Prix Ars Electronica and has been recognized and presented by the ZKM Center for Art and Media and Sónar Festival. Borderlands has been called "a reason to own an iPad" by Peter Kirn of Create Digital Music. 

Chris is also the Director of Creative Technology for Art Processors, an experiential design and technology company based in the US and Australia. He works closely with a multidisciplinary team of designers, content strategists, engineers, and producers to create museum exhibits that foster learning, connection, creative expression, and delight. 

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