Synth Design Podcast
27 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago -Learning the ins and outs of electronic instrument design from some of the best makers and manufacturers in the world
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Episodes
Stijn Kuipers - This is Not Rocket Science // Designing the Fenix
March 06, 2023 08:41 - 2 hours - 116 MBSynth Design Podcast is back! Special edition with This is Not Rocket Science in Amsterdam. I actually went to visit them and see where the Fenix IV was designed and manufactured. It's by far, one of the most insightful episode I've released to date! We cover the design process, engineering, manufacturing and custom toolchain that had to be built for the Fenix. In the video we show the workshop, so if you can, it's worth your time to watch. Available on YouTube as well. The Fenix IV is the ...
Sam Battle- Look Mum No Computer //Solder therapy, with Look Mum No Computer
November 13, 2022 15:06 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBSam Battle AKA Look Mum No Computer is one of the most active synth makers/hackers online. Last January I had the opportunity to invite him to chat with my students during the International Synth Design Hackathon, and a few weeks ago we had the opportunity to chat one on one. As a teacher I can really appreciate Sam's delivery of educational content, so in this conversation we talk about teaching, learning and failing. We also talk about perfectionism, and the challenges of being a professio...
Justin Van Slembrouck- Modern Sounds // Interfacing generative synthesis
November 06, 2022 15:03 - 44 minutes - 41 MBWhat is the right amount of controls? Knobs? Switches? When designing an instrument this question can get many answers. There is no right or wrong, and that's what makes it complicated. Pluto, from Modern Sounds, is an interesting instrument to study on that front. it combines various sound engines, two sequencers, effects and a generative composer into a little (yet quite spacious) package. The process of making it was full of iterations. Paper prototypes, various controls and testing - s...
Ciro Caputo Viglione- Unknown Devices // Start with the interface, then figure out the rest
October 30, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour - 60.8 MBWhen architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase Form Follows Function he set the foundation for good design in just three words. In the world of musical instruments, especially electronic ones, designers and engineers who follow the principle stand out of the crowd. In this episode of the Synth Design Podcast, I talk to Ciro Caputo from Unknown Devices - a synth designer and engineer from Italy. Ciro's approach appeals to me in particular because he starts formulating his concepts directly ...
Loki Davison- Poly Effects // Screen, yes! Menu diving, no!
October 23, 2022 13:55 - 1 hour - 68.3 MBEndless possibilities can lead to a horrible user experience, and when it comes to musical instruments in particular it can be hard to find the balance between functionality and how cumbersome is the interface is. What might have been a nightmare in synths like the DX7 can be avoided today, thanks to touch screens and large screen interfaces. In this episode, I'm discussing the topic with Loki Davison from @polyeffects. We cover a lot of ground, from his creative process, failed experiments...
Jason Lim- Instruo // What makes Instruo synthesizers so exceptional?
October 16, 2022 13:47 - 1 hour - 84.3 MBIt's the 20th episode! And I was waiting for this one since my first post on Instagram (it's been almost a year!). Instruo is in its own league when it comes to innovation. And I'm not talking only about the design, the interface, and aesthetics. From the naming of modules to how the company operates, they seem to be doing things in their own unique way. I talked to Jason Lim, who founded the company from a spare bedroom in Glasgow around 2016. They are currently 22 designers and engineers...
Thea Flowers- Winterbloom //Why should you open source your synths?
October 09, 2022 13:43 - 1 hour - 61 MBShould you open-source your work? Giving away your IP and all the hard work you put into a project might seem unreasonable to many of us, and yet for some makers, it's a no-brainer. In this conversation, I'm learning how Thea Flowers of @winterbloom designs and engineers her modules. She talks about her learning process of analog electronics, which is not a very straightforward path at all, even for a seasoned software engineer. She shares her creative vision and why making knowledge access...
Emmanuel Galvan- Bocuma Synths // design, build, test learn. rinse & repeat
October 02, 2022 12:47 - 58 minutes - 53.1 MBDesigning a complete stand-alone synthesizer is no joke. It can take years to research, experiment, design and build your grand vision. But can you start smaller? Build just the oscillator, or the filter, test them out with musicians and performers, and slowly acquire all the knowledge and experience you need to realize your master plan [insert Pinky and the Brain gif animation here]. Emmanuel Galvan from Bocuma Synths came to the synth industry from a sound engineering background. He quick...
Simon The Magpie- Magpie Effects // from circuit bending to professional effect manufacturing
September 25, 2022 12:41 - 55 minutes - 50.8 MBSimon The Magpie has been circuit bending instruments and effects for many years. In the last few months, he started designing his own effects together with his business partner, Horseman. Their latest effect is a sequenced delay based on the PT2399 chip. It's an interesting take on pitch shifting that creates the wackiest tape-like sounds using a built in sequencer. In this conversation, we discuss the reasoning behind making effects in the first place. We then dive into the creative proc...
S. Barile & D. McGee - Conductive Labs //A Composer's Best Friend
September 18, 2022 12:38 - 1 hour - 98.7 MBThe concept of noodling on a guitar is one we are all familiar with, but how do you noodle on a synth? Conductive Labs took the notion of noodling (or freestyle playing) on synths as the starting point for their NDRL sequencer. Rather than playing with notes, with the NDLR you play high-level concepts - chord progressions, arpeggiators and how they interact with one another. It's like conducting a little quartet rather than playing an individual instrument. And this might sound like playing...
Andrew-Ostler // Digital-vs-Analog-Synth-Design-Philosophy
September 11, 2022 12:30 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MBIf you'd asked me 3 months ago what Expert Sleepers might release next I would have never have guessed an analog module. Yet, Andrew Ostler, the designer and engineer behind Expert Sleepers, did just that -3 analog modules in one week. In this conversation, I learn about Andrew's vision and what drives him to work on a certain module. This recent analog exploration started with a resonant 2-pole filter (yep! not 4-pole). This lead to the two additional modules - a sine core VCO and a phaser...
Gianluca Herbertson// Herbs and Stones Playful first, then figure the rest
September 04, 2022 08:04 - 42 minutes - 39 MBDisregard the convention in the search for playfulness - probably good advice for anyone who's looking to innovate. In particular with instruments, where playfulness is key to inspiration, prioritizing the experience over the "perfect sound" might lead to happy accidents. Gentle Wham and his older sister (or brother, however you wanna see it) Liquid Foam, are both quite special in that sense. Their sound is gritty and surprizing and their visual style, typography and icons reflect a bold ar...
Tom Verschooten//Threetom Modular a fresh look on modular filtering
August 28, 2022 07:59 - 1 hour - 60.6 MBThe Korg MS-20 filter has so many clones that it's hard to count. So why make yet another one? Unless... It's not really a clone. If you want to release an instrument to the market you might want to think beyond a basic synthesis building block. Sure, designing a filter circuit, an oscillator or a wave folder is a fun exercise. But, with so many basic modules out there, it's hard to stand out. Steve's MS-22 from ThreeTom modular can serve as a good example here. Tom Verschooten from Threet...
Archil-Lab // Making music with motors springs and mechanicals
August 21, 2022 07:48 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBArchil comes to instrument design from a composer perspective. In the last 3 years, he has been designing mechanical instruments in search of new sound and performance techniques. His instruments are all about tactility. Using simple, yet effective, circuits to capture the sounds of everyday things and turning them into building blocks in his music compositions. His latest instrument, the Poet Pilot, uses eight large touchpads and knobs to control motors. The motors can be attached to virt...
David-Rainger- RaingerFX
August 14, 2022 06:58 - 1 hour - 55.9 MBGuitar effects are a gateway drug for synthesis, and we've gone a long way since the first distortion stomp was introduced around the middle of the last century. David Rainger's take on the conventional guitar effect is inspiring. He brings a fresh perspective on how one could shape their sound, using not only a combination of electronic circuits but playful interaction methods. In our conversation, we cover a couple of pedals. Among them, the Minibar, which is a distortion that works only...
Tony Rolando- Make Noise // Instruments as riddles, to guide you through untrodden paths
August 07, 2022 18:20 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBMake Noise interfaces are like a riddle. They remind me of minimalistic art pieces from the early 20th century - inviting you to question geometric compositions of mysterious lines and shapes. These instruments purposefully do not give a straight answer but hint towards a direction one could take. This is a deliberate design decision that aims to shape the way musicians use a Make Noise instrument. The design invites a particular kind of composer - one that will dare to explore an untrodden...
Tom Whitwell- Music Thing Modular // bit by bit, Turing machine - breadboard to eurorack
July 31, 2022 18:19 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBAnyone who's into generative music knows the Turing Machine, by Music Thing Modular. A random looping sequencer that shaped the way we play with zeros and ones, creating melodies, modulation and cross-rhythms. In this conversation, Tom Whitwell from Music Thing Modular, shares the creative process behind the Turing Machine. He also discusses other modules like the Minidrive, which is designed around the Minimoog overdrive circuit and initially inspired by the legendary Grampian Spring Rever...
Hannes-Pasqualini - Papernoise// the balance between visual design, user interface and illustration
July 24, 2022 15:10 - 1 hour - 56.9 MBHannes Pasqualini from Papernoise is responsible for some of the most iconic Eurorack interfaces out there. From Mutable Instruments and Alright Devices all the way to Hexinverter and WMD, Hannes’ brings clarity to complex functionality. Visual design takes a prominent role in Hannes’ work. In this conversation he is sharing his design and prototyping techniques and even going through the Mutable Instruments visual identity manual (oh, yes!) Although not mentioned in the conversation, Hann...
Wesley Marcarelli - Stem Modular //Rethinking stem education, using modular synthesis
July 17, 2022 11:18 - 1 hour - 57.5 MBWes, from Stem Modular, designs his modules for educational purposes. Not for music education, but for science lessons. Making theoretical concepts less intimidating and bridging gaps between theory and practicality. Students can learn by listening, playing and seeing how waveforms behave. Stem Modular is designed to be accessible. The case and panels are all made out of laser cut wood to reduce costs, but also to reduce plastic waste. Each case incorporates 2 headphone outputs, one on each...
Brian Alexander, Trace Bloom // Electronic instruments on the edge of design and conceptual art
July 10, 2022 12:04 - 59 minutes - 54.2 MBOn the edge of industrial design and art, there's an intriguing space where craftsmanship meets abstract thinking. Where a designer tinkers with materials and creates experiences that reflect on society. Brian Alexander (or Trace Bloom) has been working in this space for over 30 years. Creating devices that encourage a different kind of performance. Every instrument tells a different story. They are unique in material, form and technique. The process requires observation and exploration outs...
Erica Synths - Girts Ozolins // Designing instruments for tactile interaction and performance
July 03, 2022 11:30 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBDesigning over 300 instruments will teach you a thing or two about user experience, interface design and ergonomics. In this interview, Girts Ozolins from Erica Synths, discusses the details that make an electronic instrument interactive and performable. We talk about the research that goes into synth design - first, figuring out the user experience, and then the electronics to make it work. An approach that helps make design decisions efficiently and professionally. Instruments we cover i...
Arturia - Sébastien Rochard // the creative process behind a world-class instrument
June 26, 2022 09:51 - 1 hour - 57 MBDesigning an open-ended instrument is a complex challenge. Open ended means flexible, and the more flexible an instrument is, the more complex it can become. It's a designer's role to strike the perfect balance. To deliver an inspiring instrument that allows creative expression, and at the same time make it easy enough to learn and memorize. In this deep dive conversation Sébastien Rochard, senior product manager at Arturia, shares his design process. Analyzing various sketches and prototyp...
Meng Qi // finding the intricate balance between harmony and chaos
June 19, 2022 09:59 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBMeng Qi has been designing instruments for over 10 years. In this interview, we discuss the creative process behind the Wing Pinger. Inspired by Rob Hordijk's Blippoo Box, the Wing Pinger opens a world of sound design, performance and composition - exploring the boundaries of filter pinging. In designing the Wing Pinger, Meng Qi aimed for an intuitive, performative, instrument. The large chickenhead knobs allow for one finger swings that take the sound from beautiful melodies to complete ch...
Oxi One Sequencer
June 12, 2022 10:30 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBOxi One is an outstanding example of innovation. It is an extensive controller both for midi and analogue devices. What I find most striking is the fact it was envisioned and realized single-handedly by Manuel Vázquez, from his home in Nigrán, Spain. In this extensive interview, Manuel explains the process and challenges both on the technical and conceptual levels. This is how an instrument is realized - from an idea to a Max For Live device all the way to a hyper-successful crowdfunding cam...
Clatters Machines and interacting with nature
May 18, 2021 11:11 - 48 minutes - 44.1 MBHow do you design an interface for true randomness? How many controls would you offer the user? What constraints should you define? In this conversation with Michelangelo from Clatters Machines, I try to understand the design decisions behind the Garden Listener. A Eurorack synth module that taps into nature, captures data from living beings, and translates it to true generative control voltage. Join our community https://www.synthux.academy/join-discord Check out the website for prototyp...
1 // Getting to MIT!
June 24, 2020 13:34 - 1 hour - 60.3 MBDaan is a digital product designer. His dream is to get to MIT and work on world-changing projects. I am his coach, and in this first episode, we're getting to know the challenges he's been going through.
Design Coaching Monday
June 16, 2020 19:15 - 1 hour - 151 MBGetting to MIT, that's the goal. How to get there? We're not sure, but that's what makes this journey so exciting, and interesting to follow! Daan is a former student of mine, and we talk about the challenges a creative might be facing in the process