This week on TDL Synth Chat, I’m joined by Chileas, a producer and synth lover from France, whose musical journey has taken him from beat-making in Paris to building a studio full of classic synths and exploring synth-pop sounds.

We chat about his early days in a hip-hop scene full of samplers and soul records, and how that eventually led him to the world of analog synthesizers. From the MicroKorg to the Korg DW-8000, Casio CZ series, and classics like the DX7, D-50, and M1, Chileas shares how each instrument shaped his sound and style.

🎹 “When I got my first synth, I didn’t know what a waveform was — it was magic!” – Chileas

He explains how limitations like 4-note polyphony can drive creativity, why editing with VSTs can be a lifesaver, and why the Casio CZ-5000 is still one of his secret weapons.

We also explore:

• His love of Kate Bush and the dream of owning a Yamaha CS-80

• Why he prefers external FX to built-in presets

• His approach to integrating MIDI and VST editors across his entire rig

• Using Behringer gear like the Monopoly and the CR-78 clone in modern setups

• And his upcoming synth-pop project under a brand new alias

🧠 “I don’t think your synth defines your genre — it’s how you understand the sound and shape it.”