Why We Bleep

WHY WE BLEEP 057: MUSIC THING MK8 feat. TIM EXILE 22.02.2026 1t 38min

A hot date with Ripon Cathedral's MIDI port, lunching with Alessandro Cortini and vibe coding baguette calculators… it’s got to be another annual sit down with Tom Whitwell of Music Thing Modular. In this eighth iteration, we’re hosted by Tim Exile at his brand new London space “Timbers.” We dig into the pros and cons of AI in music technology, spatial audio, and some of our gear of the year picks - plus Tom brought in a little surprise for us to play with... If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! * THANKS TO SPONSORS: SIGNAL SOUNDS http://signalsounds.com * CHUNKY STUDIO FURNITURE: https://chunkystudiofurniture.co.uk Keep up with both Music Thing Modular and Tim Exile in the following places: MUSIC THING MODULAR: https://www.musicthing.co.uk/ TIM EXILE: https://timexile.com/ Links to stuff mentioned: ▶︎ The online Music Thing Workshop system: https://vincentmaurer.de/patch-notes/ ▶︎ DSP56300 The Usual Suspects: https://dsp56300.wordpress.com/ ▶︎ The 5 Minute Baguette https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-husjZkxHw ▶︎ The story of my ear surgery: https://youtu.be/k8-0m8NQf8Y ▶︎ Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/ ▶︎ NoteBook LM: https://notebooklm.google/ ▶︎ SoundThread: http://jphiggins.co.uk/software/ ▶︎ Claude: https://claude.ai/ ▶︎ Hundreds of 90's sample CDs: https://archive.org/download/nnty.fun-90ssamplecds/converts/ ▶︎ Arturia Pure Lofi: https://www.arturia.com/products/software-instruments/pure-lofi/overview ▶︎ RODEC Ministyler: https://www.rodec.com/shop/ministyler-103

WHY WE BLEEP 056: WORNG ELECTRONICS 22.12.2025 1t 38min

Now here’s someone who know’s their ‘Mid’ from their ‘Side’… where most of us get it wrong, Morgan McWaters is entirely WORNG. Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Morgan is an independent Eurorack Module designer with some wicked ideas and fresh takes on manipulating stereo sound in modular. In this podcast episode, we hear about Morgan’s beginnings as a tech for a synth band, through to his experiences with WORNG Electronics. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: SIGNAL SOUNDS http://signalsounds.com CHUNKY STUDIO FURNITURE: https://chunkystudiofurniture.co.uk Links to WORNG Stuff Keep up with WORNG Electronics in the following places: Website: https://www.worngelectronics.com YouTube: @worng_electronics Instagram: @worng_electronics

WHY WE BLEEP 055: DIETER DOEPFER 10.09.2025 1t 5min

The genesis of Eurorack in 1995, collaborations with Kraftwerk, the 'red stripe' controversy (if you know you know) - in this episode we hear from Dieter Doepfer, in a live interview from Machina Bristronica 2024, about how his Eurorack Modular format went from "Nobody wants that shit" to a blossoming and diverse industry 30 years later. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: SIGNAL SOUNDS http://signalsounds.com POINT BLANK MUSIC SCHOOL: https://bit.ly/pointblankbleep Link to Doepfer Stuff For everything Doepfer - modules, instruments, news, support and more - you can visit their website. https://www.doepfer.de/home.htm

WHY WE BLEEP 054: TIM EXILE 08.06.2025 2t 22min

Discussing the magic of making impossible instruments in Reaktor, making Happy Hardcore Hymns in school, the rise and fall of Endlesss and whether you can take credit for writing music with generative tools… If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: * SIGNAL SOUNDS http://signalsounds.com * POINT BLANK MUSIC SCHOOL: https://bit.ly/pbopenday25 Link to Tim’s Stuff * Tim’s Patreon where you can get his Reaktor instruments and support him monthly in their further development http://patreon.com/timexile * Tim’s site with other fine things: https://www.timexile.com/

WHY WE BLEEP 053: MUSIC THING MKVII 02.02.2025 2t 22min

Another freewheeling conversation about Tom’s big life change, his new Workshop Modular, and everything else with the wonderful Mr Whitwell. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! BUY TOMS MODULES & PRE-ORDER WORKSHOP: https://musicthing.co.uk/ + https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/workshop-system/ THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com Links to Some Things We Discuss WebSDR (Online shortwave you can tune and record): http://websdr.org/ Suren/My Panda Shall Fly Workshop Live Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4qcM4s_M3s Read Tom’s 52 things he learned in 2024: https://medium.com/@tomwhitwell/52-things-i-learned-in-2024-75efffe44f15

WHY WE BLEEP 052: ROBERT HENKE/MONOLAKE 26.12.2024 1t 32min

Discussing how to be productive combining hardware and software, creative limitations he uses to get tracks made and much more besides with Ableton Live co-inventor Monolake, aka Robert Henke! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://thonk.co.uk LISTEN TO THE NEW ALBUM “STUDIO”: http://roberthenke.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies

WHY WE BLEEP 051: UTAH SAINTS 14.11.2024 1t 57min

In which Jez & Tim of Utah Saints tell the story of how they went from DJing in Leeds to raving on primetime National Television in four months, and all the madness that entailed. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://thonk.co.uk/workshop SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies UTAH SAINTS ONLINE Buy the anniversary record: https://utahsaints.tmstor.es/ WATCH UTAHS IN 1991/1992 What Can You Do For Me (Sept 1991): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpcNm24DpAM Something Good (June 1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXuQj1ujYoU Thanks to Matt Milligan for editing this episode!

WHY WE BLEEP 050: TOM OBERHEIM 09.10.2024 1t 39min

In which synth legend Tom Oberheim tells the story of how it all happened: From hand-making effects in his apartment in the 60’s, to the golden age of the SEM, OBX and Xpanders, to the loss and renaissance of Oberheim synths. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/plinky-kit-001/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies OBERHEIM ONLINE Oberheim.com: https://oberheim.com/ Tom Oberheim.com https://www.tomoberheim.com/ Thanks to Matt Milligan for editing this episode!

WHY WE BLEEP 049: ALM BUSYCIRCUITS 28.08.2024 2t 4min

Discussing his amazing origin story, favourite synths and vintage effects, and much more besides with Matthew of ALM Busycircuits! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! * THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://www.thonk.co.uk/?s=timo+rozendal&post_type=product&title=1&excerpt=1&content=1&categories=1&attributes=1&tags=1&sku=1&orderby=date-DESC&ixwps=1 * SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies CHECK OUT ALM BUSYCIRCUITS STUFF * Buy the ALM Digiverb bundle for $10: https://busycircuits.com/digiverbs/ * Look at their VCV versions (some free!!): https://busycircuits.com/vcv/ * Everything ALM Busycircuits: https://busycircuits.com/ FURTHER READING * Here’s the DK Synergy emulation Matthew suggested: https://chinenual.github.io/synergize/ * But also check out Synergia: https://jariseon.github.io/synergia * Atari ST music guide from Zoe Blade, if you want to explore that world: https://notebook.zoeblade.com/ST_guide.html * Laurie Spiegel Music Mouse Emulation: https://teropa.info/musicmouse/ Thanks to Matt Milligan for editing this episode.

WHY WE BLEEP 048: NICK BATT/SONIC STATE 04.08.2024 1t 49min

Talking about his origin story, achieving a Top 10 hit, founding Sonic State , secrets behind synth reviewing and everything besides with the original synth webmaster and video reviewer Nick Batt! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! THANKS TO SPONSORS: ▶︎ http://signalsounds.com ▶︎ https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/befaco-oneiroi/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON ▶︎ https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies Support Sonic State on Patreon! ▶︎ https://patreon.com/sonicstate ▶︎ https://sonicstate.com/ ▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/@sonicstate

WHY WE BLEEP 047: DINSYNC 02.07.2024 1t 35min

Talking everything 101, 303, 808 & 909 with Paul Barker of DINSYNC: The man who made it possible to create replicas of Roland’s most classic creations. If you enjoy this, please share it! Learn more about DINSYNC ▶︎ http://www.re-303.com ▶︎ https://instagram.com/dinsync ▶︎ THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com &  https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/sebsongs-bread-butter/ ▶︎ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies

WHY WE BLEEP 046: MANU RETAMERO - BEFACO 02.06.2024 1t 25min

Talking about the difficulties of being a modular synth brand, humble beginnings and getting out of your comfort zone with the wonderful Manu Retamero of Befaco. If you enjoy this, please share it! * THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com &  https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/befaco-oneroi/ * SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies Links to Some Things We Discuss * All things Befaco: https://www.befaco.org/ * FM3 Buddha Machine: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM3 * Elektroplankton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplankton * My weird Superbooth video (3:08 for Oneiroi): https://youtu.be/Iy1jM7KKHdk * DAKIM live set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmQ7AMnooj0

WHY WE BLEEP 045: ALGORAVE/ALEX MCLEAN 28.04.2024 1t 27min

Would you like to learn about a novel way to make music that's available to you right now, completely free, improvisational, and insanely powerful? Today we meet Alex McLean and discuss the magic of Algorave - aka: making improvised music onstage by writing and editing small lines of code. It’s an amazing art form and Alex is the person who coined the term ‘Algorave’, and created TidalCycles, a free program for live coding, and is a great advocate for the art form. Links below to watch performances, watch Alex’s TED talk, get access to TidalCycles and more. LISTEN OTHER WAYS ▶︎ YouTube: https://youtu.be/NUgJgCvX4Y4 THANKS TO SPONSORS: ▶︎ http://signalsounds.com ▶︎ https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/byom/ (this is the kit I mention in the ad) SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: ▶︎ https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies INTRO TO LIVECODING ▶︎ Here's a TED talk Alex did: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAGjTYa95HM ▶︎ Here's a nice little Resident Advisor film about Algoravin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2EZqikCIfY ▶︎ Here's a performance Alex did which I reference in the conversation, I think it's absolutely wicked and a great example of the tools being used to sensational effect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vomnc9R-7mw ▶︎ Here's ORCA, which we touch on: https://100r.co/site/orca.html ▶︎ Here's a good intro vid to ORCA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaI_TuISSJE ALEX'S LINKS Here's an uber useful list of links that Alex provided for me to share with you, if you want to learn how to livecode, try it immediately in your browser, or find a community meetup. ▶︎ Introduction to live coding music and visuals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QY2x6aZzqc ▶︎ TidalCycles https://tidalcycles.org/ ▶︎ Try Strudel right now: https://strudel.cc/ (it's TidalCycles running in a browser without any need for installation) ▶︎ Strudel Demo by Alex: https://strudel.cc/?FRyhM9b5iLDm ▶︎ TOPLAP - the home of live coding https://blog.toplap.org/ ▶︎ List of local live coding communities https://blog.toplap.org/nodes/ ▶︎ Pattern Club Sheffield - https://patternclub.org/sheffield/ ▶︎ 'Eulerroom' channel with loads of archived live coding streams: https://www.youtube.com/eulerroom ▶︎ Alex's algorithmic pattern project https://algorithmicpattern.org/ ▶︎ Comprehensive list of live coding links https://github.com/toplap/awesome-livecoding ▶︎ Alex's blog https://slab.org/ ▶︎ The nonprofit Alex works as part of https://thentrythis.org/

WHY WE BLEEP 044: RYK MODULAR 03.04.2024 1t 8min

Discussing a surprising career in directing ads & computer graphics, how he then created the legendary M185 sequencer, and much electronic nerdery with legend Jake of RYK Modular. Thanks to Matt Milligan for editing this episode. If you enjoy this, please share it! BUY RYK MODULES: https://www.ryk-modular.com/products THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://www.thonk.co.uk/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies Links to Some Things We Discuss The original Jake M185 jam that I could still hum was: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAvPPj_Sy6c&ab_channel=RYKModular The amazing David Elsewhere breakdancing clip (it’s actually from 2001, heck): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUz4OLQi_uw The VW Ad Jake & Ryoko directed as NE-O (Mint Royale also doing great work on the remix): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myxb1f07cAo Jake’s favourite Toyota ad they made (and which won the Cannes Lion award): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xJcwF7N0QM Bonus: Brilliant Toyota ad NE-O directed: https://vimeo.com/155964264 LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO WHY WE BLEEP ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-we-bleep/id1338201154 LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7geAIMtHFkCjEiRy3oqez0?si=wJOmlqVDR1CHur1PBrDlXg

WHY WE BLEEP 043: EVERYTHING EVERYTHING 05.03.2024 1t 21min

Discussing the music making process, beating bad habits and “doing a f*cko” with Alex Robertshaw and Jonathan Higgs of the excellent band Everything Everything. Ensure more Why We Bleeps get created by supporting the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies BUY THEIR RECORDS (AND SEE THEM LIVE): https://everything-everything.co.uk/ THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://www.thonk.co.uk/ LINKS TO STUFF WE DISCUSS ▶︎ Ableton Live: https://www.ableton.com/en/ ▶︎ Verbos Modular: https://www.verboselectronics.com/ ▶︎ Cwejman Modular: https://www.modulargrid.net/e/vendors/view/20 (The founder died in 2021 and I am not sure what the future holds for the brand) ▶︎ Monome Teletype: https://monome.org/docs/teletype/ ▶︎ Cirklon: https://www.sequentix.com/ ▶︎ Bach to Moog (exploring hybrid acoustic/electronic arrangements): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Rcw5GCXJnQ&t=335s ▶︎ Stuart Price: https://www.soundonsound.com/people/stuart-price (old interview but interesting) ▶︎ James Ford: https://www.jamesellisford.com/ David Kosten: https://davidkosten.com/ ▶︎ VCV rack: https://vcvrack.com/ (A free virtual modular synth in your computer!!) ▶︎ Teletype add-on: https://library.vcvrack.com/monome/teletype ▶︎ Alex’s Teletype tutorial recommendation: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMHhQKTYXU657VGx48aj-0rs_tjoz7-Eo&si=V7cyhn7UnTC41OfR ▶︎ Alex’s favourite Teletype Instagrammer: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cbf0boxg4yp/?igsh=MTRrbGNjbWU5Z2lyOA== (the guy who connected lights to his!)

WHY WE BLEEP 042: MUSIC THING MK VI 04.02.2024 2t 51min

A freewheeling conversation about nearly everything with the fantastically interesting Tom Whitwell. Ensure more Why We Bleeps get created by supporting the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies BUY TOMS MODULES: https://musicthing.co.uk/ THANKS TO SPONSORS: http://signalsounds.com & https://www.thonk.co.uk/ LINKS TO STUFF WE DISCUSS Tom’s Residential Workshop in April 2024 he’s doing: https://dyski.co/Tom-Whitwell-Sound-Maps 52 things Tom Learned in 2023: https://medium.com/magnetic/52-things-i-learned-in-2023-a3bbb9f9323d An interesting book about being interesting that Tom is in: https://thedobook.co/products/do-interesting-notice-collect-share The book drawing on the right side of the brain: https://www.drawright.com/ The David Tudor book he loves: http://remindedbytheinstruments.info/phone/index.html The Centimental Noise Book: https://cementimental.com/noisebook/ Tom’s Move module: https://www.thonk.co.uk/music-thing-modular-move/ Tom’s 8MU controller: https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/music-thing-8mu/ Teenage Engineering KO II: https://teenage.engineering/store/ep-133/ My Panda Shall Fly: https://www.instagram.com/mypandashallfly/?hl=en-gb The episode of Why We Bleep with Sunroof: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-we-bleep-032-daniel-miller-gareth-jones-sunroof/id1338201154?i=1000532055425 An app can be a home cooked meal: https://www.robinsloan.com/notes/home-cooked-app/ Matt Webb’s AI Clock: https://www.theverge.com/23669343/ai-clock-chatgpt-poems-rhymes-diy-project Tom’s Mikrophone MK3 Module: https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/mtm-mikrophonie-with-mic/ Tom Whitwell’s original ‘Where Daft Punk Got Their Samples From’ video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJPdVVOmbz4 Tape Notes with James Blake: https://tapenotes.co.uk/project/tn122-james-blake ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/ The service Mylar uses that AI transcribes: https://www.descript.com/ The Rabbit R1 pocket companion: https://www.rabbit.tech/

WHY WE BLEEP 041: LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER 26.12.2023 1t 19min

LISTEN ELSEWHERE & SUPPORT▶︎ https://www.whywebleep.com/▶︎ https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-we-bleep/id1338201154▶︎ https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodiesMORE FROM SAM:▶︎ https://www.lookmumnocomputer.com/▶︎ https://www.youtube.com/lookmumnocomputerTHANKS TO SPONSORS▶︎ https://www.signalsounds.com/ ▶︎ https://www.thonk.co.uk/ (Check out the two samplers mentioned: https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/sebsongs-sampler/ & https://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/infinite-digits-pikocore/ )THINGS WE DISCUSS▶︎ The photographer we discuss who develops pictures with unusual materials is Melanie King: https://www.instagram.com/melaniekatking/ ▶︎ Korg MS10: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korg_MS-10 ▶︎ Dave “Nervous Squirrel”: https://www.nervoussquirrel.com/ ▶︎ Great SOS video with Dave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upYn03sU80A ▶︎ Kosmo Format Modular: https://www.lookmumnocomputer.com/modular ▶︎ Mutable Instruments Braids: https://pichenettes.github.io/mutable-instruments-documentation/modules/braids/▶︎ VCV Rack (Contains a Braids): https://vcvrack.com/▶︎ The Talk by Vlad Kreimer of Soma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxdzM86UrhgBOOKS MYLAR MENTIONS WHICH ARE ALL WORTH YOUR TIME▶︎ Deep Work - Cal Newport ▶︎ Digital Minimalism - Cal Newporthttps://calnewport.com/writing/ ▶︎ Four Thousand Weeks - Oliver Burkeman: https://www.oliverburkeman.com/books (Book of the year for me)▶︎ 10 Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Account - Jaron Lanier▶︎ You Are Not a Gadget - Jaron Lanier https://www.jaronlanier.com/

WHY WE BLEEP 040: INTELLIJEL 03.12.2023 1t 45min

Talking origins, 101 filters, product design and more with Danjel Van Tijn of Intellijel. 🎙✨ LINKSINTELLIJEL: https://intellijel.com/THANKS TO SPONSORShttps://www.signalsounds.com/ - for all kinds of gearhttps://www.thonk.co.uk/ - for easy synth DIY and desktop gear!If you enjoyed this episode, please share it!

WHY WE BLEEP 039: CLARK 05.11.2023 1t 17min

Clark: https://throttleclark.com/ Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies THANKS TO SPONSORS https://www.signalsounds.com/ - for all kinds of gear https://www.thonk.co.uk/ - for easy synth DIY If you enjoyed this episode, please share it! Thanks to Matt Milligan for editing this episode.

WHY WE BLEEP 038: SYNCLAVIER DIGITAL 29.09.2023 1t 42min

Synclavier Digital: https://www.synclavier.com/ Support this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mylarmelodies THANKS TO SPONSORS https://www.signalsounds.com/ - for all kinds of gear https://www.thonk.co.uk/ - for easy synth DIY If you enjoyed this episode, please share it!