New Project – Voltage Control Lab

In July 2015, I created Voltage Control Lab, an online Modular Synthesis School focused on educating music enthusiasts and professionals in Eurorack (and software) sound design and modular synthesis techniques. We are currently offering 6 modular synthesis courses, Modular 101: Intro to Eurorack, Sound Design 101, The Many Faces of Make Noise Maths, Sound Design with the System 1M, Modular Beats and Drum Programming and Live Modular Techniques as well as our 8 week Music Production with Maschine Studio course. If you are interested in modular synthesis or you would like to control a spaceship from the comfort of your own home, please join us!

Since starting this project, I have written over 100 articles on our regularly updated blog, created more than 25 tutorial and live modular music videos on our Youtube channel and spent thousands of hours studying, writing and refining the curriculum. Voltage Control Lab has been promoted and featured by some of the coolest companies in modular synthesis, like Make Noise and Sputnik Modular as well as the biggest companies in music technology, like Roland and Native Instruments. My work also been featured on some major music technology publications including Synthtopia and Electronic Musician.

Please follow Voltage Control Lab on Twitter and subscribe on Youtube, and keep an eye on our blog. This school is my main outlet for both music and education, both of which are my passions, so please celebrate with me and come take some classes!

I’ll have lots of new music soon, by the way!

 

CNTRPNT Workshop Series

Tomorrow, May 1st, I will be presenting a new workshop series at Dubspot LA, featuring a new artist each month performing and discussing modular synthesis and music technology. Join us on the first Friday of every month for this free series.

CNTRPNT welcomes our first guest, Cyrus Rex!!!

Artist, modular ambassador and head honcho at Muffwiggler (the premiere online forum for modular synthesis), Cyrus Rex is a central figure in the explosion of modular music over the last few years. Touring alongside acts like Skinny Puppy, Depeche Mode and Venetian Snares, Cyrus has carved a niche out of the experimental electronic music scene. Cyrus is focusing on his new project with Douglas J McCarthy is called DJM|REX as well as the recently launched MuffWiggler, which promotes and sells modular synthesizer equipment. He is also co-owner of DarkPlace Manufacturing, a Portland, Oregon-based company which handles a number of Eurorack modular brands including Malekko, Roland, Harvestman, Sputnik, 4ms, Qu-bit, BEMI, LZX and many others. In this workshop, Cyrus will present a brief performance as well as walk through some patches. We will also discuss his evolution to the modular world, recording with modular hardware and his favorite pieces of gear.

CNTRPNT is a monthly workshop series hosted by Dubspot LA focusing on modular synthesis and music technology. Each month features a performance from a different artist or visionary as well as a discussion about their methods and motivations behind working in the modular synth world. Moderated by creators Computo and Viktor Carrillo, CNTRPNT aims to spread a wider awareness of the growing Euro-rack and hardware modular synthesizer industry, and to demystify the often confusing intersection of hardware and software based music production. The event is free and open to the public and takes place on the first Friday of every month from 4-6 pm.

Composition Workshop

This Friday, March 13th 2015, I will be leading a workshop at Dubspot LA in Hollywood titled “Algorithmic Composition for Drums”. It is free to all who would like to attend.

“Explore advanced methods for drum programming using current software (Kontakt, Maschine, Reaktor, Ableton) to compose complex rhythms and variations with interesting sounds. These methods de-emphasize note-specific editing, instead focusing on creating systems of signal routing to achieve a unique, semi-predictable performance. Much as writers and composers of Jazz, Rock and other genres have counted on musicians to contribute to the composition process, producers of computer music can use algorithmic composition techniques to fill this same roll.”

New Music: Nu-Bass