Since the mid-1970s, Allen Ravenstine has experimented with and expanded on the uses of creative synthesis, perhaps most famously with Pere Ubu (and later Red Krayola), where he brought "unpredictable textures, effects and pulsating washes of sound" to the mix.
Modulisme
23 posts
You can harness it to make music in many ways, from just observing it do its thing and occasionally tuning something, to rapid playing with knobs and switches as musical performance. Also, from a compositional point of view, the concentration on one source or one process at a time and the interaction between sources and processes within a network can be used as a template for structure and inspires articulation.
Midori's session for Philippe Petit's Modulisme series allowed her to showcase the impact that modular synthesis has had on her electronic sound, and she outlines the ways in which her music has evolved as a result.
Experimental musician, singer and songwriter Siôn Orgon creates electroacoustic music, sound design and production in Cardiff. He has worked with the likes of Thighpaulsandra and is a member of Rocketgoldstar as well as collaborating over the years with groups and artists including Coil, Splintered, William D Drake, Peter Christopherson, Andrew Liles, […]
Modulisme To celebrate the second anniversary of the Modulisme facility that Philippe Petit has established, he decided to forego the usual improvisation technique and attempt a series of compositions that would perhaps show another route for him and give some further impetus to the already exploratory process of a true […]
Electronic musician, artist, producer, engineer as well as module designer and maker for Future Sound Systems, Bristol-based Finlay Shakespeare‘s session for Philippe Petit‘s Modulisme project shows off his grasp of the classic British sound of independent modular-adjacent pop music from its heady early years. His influences also are also steeped in […]
Active since 1971, the Canadian Electronic Ensemble has the distinction of being the longest-running live electronic music formation in the world. Their session for Philippe Petit‘s Modulisme project showcases the sort of modular synthesis sounds that the ensemble have been performing annually in Toronto and on tour around the world […]
Daniel Burke has been recording and performing music as Illusion of Safety since 1983, with a variety of collaborators joining him along the way. Dormant from 2015, he revived IOS in 2020, continuing the exploration of unconventional sound using unorthodox devices and methods. Daniel’s session for Philippe Petit‘s encyclopaedic ongoing […]
Ever since discovering electronic music while at university, Ian Boddy has immersed himself in the world of synthesis, becoming a renowned exponent of the form, particularly active in ambient electronica as well as specialising in sound library creations and sound design. Working with collaborators including Robert Rich, Chris Carter, Markus […]
Francisco Meirino (also known as Phroq up to 2009 when creating harsh noise). Using instrumentation including modular synths, reel-to-reel tape recorders and various home-made electronics, he has collaborated with artists such as Leif Elggren, Michael Gendreau and Gerritt Wittmer and also writes for contemporary music ensembles and dance with releases on […]
Ross Healy is not only the founding member of VICMOD, the co-owner of VICMOD Records and part of the VICMOD ENSemble, but also performs and records prolifically as This Digital Ocean, Amnesia, Roland Oberheim, Oskar T Oram, as well as Cray and many more. Cray’s longform Modulisme session explores the […]
One of the most flamboyant, original and exciting of synthesists in the world of modular synths and beyond, Thighpaulsandra has been pushing the boundaries of electronic music as a solo performer and as a member of Coil, Uruk (as a duo with Massimo Pupillo) and UUUU (with Valentina Magaletti, Matthew Simms […]
Richard Scott has been a key figure on both the UK improv and modular synthesis scene for many years, including the seminal Sines & Squares festival held at Manchester University. With a background in post-punk and the joys of improvised saxophony, Scott took to the modular synthesiser as his preferred […]
André Stordeur was a pioneer of modular synth music and the leading exponent of the form in his native Belgium; sadly, he passed away in April 2020 before being able to complete a session or be interviewed for Philippe Petit‘s Modulisme. A session was however constructed from historic recordings, and the […]
Kevin Rix is perhaps best known for his work in Hollywood as composer at Paul Dinletir‘s Audiomachine production company, where he has been responsible for the trailer music for films such as Avatar, How To Train Your Dragon and many more.
Benge (Ben Edwards) built his MemeTune studio as a haven and playground for his wondrous collection of vintage synthesizers. He has released numerous solo albums as well as forming the duo Tennis with Douglas Benford of Sprawl club and label fame, and has branched out to curate the Expanding label. […]
Jono Podmore has been at the studio controls of a host of musicians and bands since the 1990s, also releasing music as Kumo and as part of the all-analogue ensemble Metamono with Mark Hill and Paul Conboy. Jono is Professor of the Practice of Popular Music at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, […]
Founder of the N&B Research Digest label and member of Night Prospekt, F.R.U.I.T.S., Volga, ASTMA and the Fake Cats Project among others, Alexei Borisov has been a key member of the Russian underground since the Soviet era. He is also the curator of the Noise And Fury festival of experimental […]
San Francisco residents Thomas Dimuzio, Tom Djll and Gino Robair are three leading lights in the world of improvisation and modular synthesis. All have been active on the ever-bountiful Bay Area experimental music scene for many years, and are interviewed below about their individual contributions to the Modulisme sessions organised […]
Doug Lynner started out as a keyboard and guitar player in psychedelic rock bands in California in the 1960s. Doug also teaches music composition and is known internationally for his modular synthesis performances and online tutorials. He was editor and publisher of Synapse magazine and currently helms the Neat Net Noise […]