Electronic Music

Grandmaster Flash talks to Caro C about the development of his pioneering DJ techniques, including the Quick Mix Theory, seamless looping and the custom modifications that helped turn the turntable into a musical instrument. He also discusses the early Bronx hip-hop scene and his new book, Birth of a Culture, which explores the technical innovations and community behind hip-hop’s origins.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:30 - Early Exposure To Music06:04 - Developing The Quick Mix Theory11:26 - Customising The Decks17:50 - Starting A Movement20:58 - Getting The First Gigs23:08 - Honing The DJ Setup27:14 - Selecting The Right Styluses30:46 - Telling The Story In A BookGrandmaster Flash BiogGrandmaster Flash (Joseph Robert Saddler) is a pioneering hip-hop DJ credited with developing techniques that helped shape turntablism and rap music. His innovations include the Quik Mix Theory and the use of extended drum breaks, while his recordings include The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel (1981). He was the first hip-hop artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received several lifetime achievement honours.His second book, Birth of a Culture, co-written with journalist Robert “Scoop” Jackson and published in September 2026, explores the techniques, artists and early history of hip-hop.https://grandmasterflash.comhttp://instagram.com/djflash4evahttps://www.facebook.com/grandmasterflashofficialhttp://x.com/djflash4evaCaro C BiogCaro 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: @carocsoundInst: @carocsoundFB: https://www.facebook.com/carocsound/Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Alison Tavel talks to Rob Puricelli about Resynator, her documentary exploring the history of the synthesizer invented by her late father. They discuss reconstructing the instrument, its innovative design and early history, tracking down surviving examples, and placing the Resynator into the hands of contemporary musicians.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:28 - Reasons For Making The Film12:41 - What Is The Resynator?20:05 - Reconstructing The Resynator27:32 - Interviewing Peter Gabriel31:28 - Filming in Colombia40:00 - Where To View The FilmAlison Tavel BiogAlison Tavel is a filmmaker and music archivist. Her work with archival material has included directing music videos, documentary projects, commercial spots and EPKs, as well as producing and overseeing archival content for major releases. Earlier in her career, Alison worked in music management and supervision before moving into touring and studio support for artists including Grace Potter, Beck and Jenny Lewis. RESYNATOR is her feature directorial debut, which won the Audience Award following its premiere at SXSW. The film explores the story of the pioneering synthesiser created by Alison's father Don Tavel and its rediscovery decades later.https://www.resynator.comhttp://instagram.com/resynatorhttp://facebook.com/resynatorhttp://x.com/resynatorRob Puricelli BiogRob 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.comTwitter: @failedmusoInstagram: @failedmusoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/failedmusoCatch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Bob Coover and Anthony Marinelli join Julian Rodgers to explore the history, evolution and creative potential of wavetable synthesis, from its early origins to modern instruments, discussing waveform morphing, iconic sounds and where the technology is heading next.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:43 - What Is Wavetable Synthesis11:08 - Morphing Between Waveforms14:42 - History Of Wavetable Synthesis19:05 - The Wavetable Sound24:41 - Software Using Wavetables26:46 - New Instruments With Wavetable Synthesis30:05 - Morphing Sounds With Tactile Controls34:01 - Examples In Popular Recordings39:12 - The Future Of Wavetable Synthesis#3rdwave #fairlight #ppg #serumBob Coover BiogBob Coover is co-founder and Principal DSP Engineer at Groove Synthesis, where he helped create the award-winning 3rd Wave series of advanced wavetable synthesisers. A veteran synth designer and software engineer, he previously worked with Sequential alongside Dave Smith, contributing to instruments including the Prophet-12, Pro 3 and OB-6. Before co-founding Groove Synthesis in 2021 with Andrew Silverman, Coover also spent many years developing music technology for companies including Avid/Digidesign. His passion for classic PPG wavetable synthesis inspired the creation of the 3rd Wave, a modern instrument that combines vintage-inspired sound with contemporary synthesis techniques. Through his work, Coover continues to push the boundaries of hardware synth design, creating instruments that balance deep sound-design capabilities with an intuitive, musician-focused workflow.https://groovesynthesis.com/https://www.instagram.com/groovesynthesis/Anthony Marinelli BiogAnthony Marinelli is an American composer, synthesist, producer and educator whose career spans more than four decades across film, television and popular music. A pioneer of synth programming, he contributed to Michael Jackson's Thriller and has worked with artists including James Brown, Lionel Richie, Van Halen, Supertramp and Herb Alpert. As a film composer he has ammassed more than 100 credits, including Young Guns, Leaving Las Vegas, Internal Affairs and 2 Days in the Valley. An award-winning composer and sound designer, Marinelli is also recognised for his expertise in synthesis and music technology, sharing his knowledge through educational videos, courses and workshops that explore the creative potential of electronic instruments and sound design.https://www.anthonymarinelli.com/http://instagram.com/anthonymarinellimusichttps://www.facebook.com/anthonymarinellimusichttps://x.com/amarinellimusicJulian Rodgers BiogJulian Rodgers is a freelance writer and audio engineer with a background in live sound. After many years working in education introducing new users to Pro Tools, he now lives by the sea in West Cornwall, where he plays keyboards in a couple of bands. He also plays bass and guitar equally badly, and remains an enthusiastic collector of microphones and opinions about all things audio.https://www.linkedin.com/in/julian-rodgers-04621926Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

KOGG's Selena Kay and Cerys Hogg talk to Caro C about combining their classical and jazz disciplines with creative sound design, custom instrument building, live performance and rhythmic experimentation.Chapters00:00 - Introduction01:40 - Meeting On A Tech Course03:14 - Electronic Experimentation04:50 - Developing As A Duo06:52 - Releasing On Nonclassical08:45 - Balancing Structure With Experimentation10:43 - Sound Design Audio Examples15:10 - Creating Custom Instruments 16:55 - Triggering And Processing Sounds19:06 - Current Hardware Triggers21:22 - Using Scores And Improv In Shows24:40 - Combining Jazz And Classical25:18 - Differences To Previous Projects26:54 - Compositional Process29:00 - Next Steps For KOGG29:57 - Describing The Musical Style#AbletonLive #AkaiMPD #AbletonPush2 #RolandSPD #TCHeliconVoiceLiveTouch #ZoomMultiStompKOGG BiogKOGG are an experimental electronic duo formed by composers and performers Selena Kay and Cerys Hogg. Combining contemporary composition, improvisation and custom-built instruments, they create music from found sounds and unconventional sound sources. Since forming in 2018, they have performed at festivals and venues including Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Aldeburgh Festival and IKLECTIK. Their debut album, Mechanista, explores the relationship between human performance, electronics and mechanical sound.https://www.koggmusic.comhttps://www.instagram.com/koggmusichttps://www.facebook.com/KOGGMUSIChttps://x.com/KoggMusichttps://www.selenakay.comhttps://www.ceryshogg.comCaro C BiogCaro 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: @carocsoundInst: @carocsoundFB: https://www.facebook.com/carocsound/Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts

Steve Hillage and Miquette Giraudy talk to Kevin Paul about their techno project System 7 and ambient project Mirror System, discussing their studio setup, live performances and creative approach to making music.Chapters00:00 - Introduction00:38 - Current Projects01:20 - System 7 and Mirror System02:20 - Songwriting Process04:27 - Using Gong-Influenced Sounds05:17 - Main Creative Tools06:19 - Learning From DJ Experience06:55 - Collaborative Workflow08:49 - Structuring Albums09:27 - Streamlined Studio Setup11:20 - Limitations and Finishing Tracks13:31 - Live Performances16:58 - 10 Records and Collaborations21:02 - The Future Of System 726:18 - Mirror System for Ambient Music#HelixLT #Logic #ProTools #Ableton #AnimoogZhttp://www.a-wave.comhttps://www.facebook.com/System7pagehttps://www.facebook.com/MirrorsystemSteve Hillage BiogSteve Hillage is an English guitarist, producer and electronic music pioneer best known for his work with the psychedelic prog band Gong, his influential solo albums of the 1970s and the electronic duo System 7. Renowned for his distinctive “glissando” guitar style, Hillage later became a key figure in ambient techno and psychedelic dance music, blending electronic production with live guitar performance alongside longtime creative partner Miquette Giraudy.http://stevehillage.comhttps://www.facebook.com/stevehillagebandhttps://www.instagram.com/stevehillageMiquette BiogMiquette is a French keyboardist, vocalist and composer known for her work with Gong, Steve Hillage and System 7. A major creative force behind System 7’s ambient and techno sound, she has collaborated with Hillage since the 1970s, contributing keyboards, vocals, programming and production across a wide range of psychedelic, ambient and electronic music projects.https://www.instagram.com/miqui7777https://www.facebook.com/p/Miquette-Giraudy-100063115306402Kevin Paul BiogKevin Paul started his career as a DJ but quickly found his passion was sound engineering. His first audio job was at Soho Studios in 1991, moving to Konk Studios six months later, where he worked alongside successful producers and engineers such as Bob Clearmountain, Adam Mosley, Pascal Gabriel and Gil Norton, as well as bands such as The Kinks, Galliano, Terrorvision, UFO and Elastica. After working on archiving the Depeche Mode back catalogue in 1994, he was offered an engineering role at Mute Records’ in-house studio, which eventually lead to a position as Head Engineer, which gave him access to the entire Mute Records roster. Highlights include mixing Goldfrapp’s 'Felt Mountain', David Bowie’s 'Hours' and Nick Cave’s 'No More Shall We Part'. He also worked in 5:1, mixing Moby’s 'Hotel', Goldfrapp’s 'Black Cherry' and more for DVD.In 2004 Kevin went freelance and re-mixed the entire Depeche Mode and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds back catalogues for SACD/DVD. Since 2008, Kevin Paul has been in charge of mixing and remixing performances at the iTunes Festivals in the UK and Germany. He has mixed over 100 artists to date, including Adele, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The XX, Calvin Harris, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Linkin Park, Florence & The Machine, Deadmau5, David Guetta, Jessie J., Norah Jones, Oasis, Mumford & Sons, N.E.R.D., Lykke Li, James Blunt, KT Tunstall, Hot Chip, Paul Weller and many more.He continues to record, engineer, produce and mix many projects in music and film, runs the mixing and surround mixing modules for the Masters Degree course at UK’s Westminster University and divides his time between London and Berlin. Recent works include the International selling new album by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and mixing the latest album of Denmark’s “Dúné” with the first single premiering at the Danish Music Awards, plus the latest iTunes Music Festival.http://www.kevin-paul.com/Catch more shows on our other podcast channels: https://www.soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts