23 September 2023: Tone Science Module No.10 The Final Patch (DiN:TS10)

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Tone Science Module No.10 The Final Patch (DiN:TS10)

Tone Science sub-label, from DiN records, concludes its exploration of the world of modular synth music.

Since the first volume in the Tone Science series was released in 2018, seventy-two musicians in total have joined in with this celebration of the musical possibilities of modular synthesis. These artists have been from a huge range of backgrounds but have all shared the unifying purpose of showcasing the incredible variety of sonic possibilities these instruments can offer.

The intervening seven years have seen the modular synth world expanding at an exponential rate and whilst one wouldn’t go so far as to say these synths are mainstream, they are certainly far more prevalent than in the past. It’s especially gratifying to see so many musicians now either play solo sets with them or to include them in their onstage arsenal.

Thus we come to this, the final instalment in the Tone Science series. Nothing lasts forever and certainly stopping at this nice round number of ten seems like a good way to not only end the series but to release the Final Patch, a real celebration of what has gone before and perhaps to hint at what is possible for the future. A beautifully packaged double CD featuring twenty artists who have appeared on previous iterations of the series, it really is a who’s who of modular synth musicians. The release is accompanied by an eight-page booklet with an essay by Neil Mason and some final words from the guiding force behind the whole project, Ian Boddy, label boss at DiN. And as Boddy so succinctly puts it in his liner notes, “for me, despite the technological nature of the equipment, the emotional quality of the music is the single most important factor”. The Final Patch certainly delivers on that ethos. 

credits

released September 19, 2025

1) Andrea Cichecki - When Water Feels Like Rain - 7:36
‘When Water Feels Like Rain’ captures the essence of the quiet power to embrace the storm and leave old memories behind.
andreacichecki.com

2) Field Lines Cartographer - Sastrugi - 6:56
Polar winds scour and etch the frozen landscape into beautiful, otherworldly snow dunes. Realised using ARP 2600, various Eurorack & Bugbrand format modular synthesisers.
fieldlinescartographer.bandcamp.com

3) Benge - Network of Continuations - 6:00
Four interconnected modular systems: Emu, Modcan, Serge & Arp 2500, making a network of continuations (sequences), inspired by Duchamp’s randomised Stoppages. For more Cybersynthesis, watch 'The Memetune Programme’.
youtube.com/@memetunestudio

4) Bluetech - Azurite Waterfalls - 5:51
Azurite Waterfalls’ is an exploration in controlled randomness which began by wavefolding sine oscillators to evoke a shifting textural organic bed for melodic synths to cascade over.
bluetechonline.com

5) Ian Boddy - LCM360 - 6:18
Interlocking sequences of 5, 8 & 9 steps which have a least common multiple of 360. Performed on a Eurorack system with added randomness from a pair of AJH/Tone Science Chance Delays.
ianboddy.com

6) Swansither - Fata Morgana - 6:46
A distorted illusion caused by light bending through varying air densities. These castles in the sky were once believed to be magic, cast by Morgan le Fay.
swansither.bandcamp.com

7) Paul Nagle - Ingordigiousness - 8:33
Out of the primordial soup, life emerged and began its remarkable journey. Everything was going splendidly . . . then something happened.
paulnagle.bandcamp.com

8) Parallel Worlds - Morning Walk - 5:30
Just a morning walk... with a clear mind... and no dark thoughts... This track was created with my Eurorack modular walls.
facebook.com/parallelworldsmusic

9) Nigel Mullaney - Stalked - 5:38
Composed to commemorate the musical luminaries who have inspired me, ‘Stalked’ is a tribute to those who have sadly moved on, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.
nigelmullaney.com

10) Accumulations - Todd Barton - 5:51
This is a live improvisation with the Buchla Music Easel and a TC Electronics looper.
toddbarton.com

11) Panic Girl - Between the Shadows - 6:50
This track, created mainly on a Buchla Music Easel, is about those moments in life when everything changes in an instant.
www.panic-girl.com

12) Lyonel Bauchet - A Quiet Sun - 8:31
Every time I return to it, I'm amazed at the magnificent palette of colours this machine can generate. Buchla Modular Electronic Music System, only and all for this piece.
lyonelbauchet.bandcamp.com

13) Chris Carter - Hypnagogic - 6:52
Recorded live on my modular ‘Hypnagogic’ was inspired by the Ian Hodgson and Delia Derbyshire soundtrack for the film Hell House. Whilst watching this the other night I fell asleep... weird dreams ensued.
chriscarter.co.uk

14) Sarah Belle Reid - Critical Points - 5:28
Critical Points explores sudden transformations in energy, timbre and density through chaotic feedback patching and nonlinear waveshaping techniques. The piece was created using a Gaston Nonlinear Dynamics modular system.
sarahbellereid.com

15) Hainbach - From The Thaw - 2:46
A celebration of the pure oscillations of ancient test equipment and the Synton Fenix 2 PP.
hainbach.bandcamp.com

16) Batchas - How Are You? - 4:00
For the past three years, after neck surgery, I've never answered “I'm fine” when asked how I'm doing. When I did this piece, I said to myself, “finally I'm okay!”
batchas.bandcamp.com

17) Polypores - Feelers - 6:05
Exploring repeating cyclical melodies and unsynced rhythms with slightly different BPMs. Repetition gives the impression of order but the percussion sometimes stumbles and everything falls apart.
polypores.bandcamp.com

18) Scanner - Banana, Designation - 8:32
The joy of working with modular for me is the unknown, and once again, here the machines dictate where they wish to go. I’m merely their humble cable assistant.
scannerdot.com

19) d’Voxx - Diagonal - 9:28
A cinematic sonic opus of tension and intrigue, where North African echoes weave through immersive electronics, evoking the pulse, mystery, and untamed energy of Barcelona’s labyrinthine streets and hidden corners.
dvoxx.com

20) Nathan Moody - Spent - 6:16
This exploration uses aleatoric layering, whereby each layer has structure but they are not synced to each other. Chords constantly shift and evolve, harmonically related but unpredictable. 
nathanmoody.bandcamp.com

ags

ambient buchla em electronic electronic music electronica serge modular synth modular synthesizer Sunderland

04 January 2022: Mythos; Ian Boddy & Nigel Mullaney

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The music you hear on tonight's show is available on the artists' Bandcamp pages and websites (links below) and makes a great gift for the holidays as well as brightening the musicians' holidays.

For 25 years, Mythos has been creating timeless, ethereal music fusing electronic beats with vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, synths and sounds from around the world. 2021 marks the 25th Anniversary for the duo of Bob D’Eith (producer and piano) and Paul Schmidt (acoustic guitar) with special guest performances from Jennifer Scott (vocals), Jasmin Parkin (vocals), Rene Worst (bass), Pepe Danza, (percussion), Niko Quintal (percussion) and many others.   

 Bob’s father spent many years trying to convince him to work with his brother’s talented friend Paul. When Bob was trying to create music for film and television, he teamed up with Paul to co-write together. As Bob and Paul started producing music and working with Vancouver session players Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst, it became apparent that they had created something special. Mythos was born. In 1996, Mythos released the “Introspection” EP independently. The first single “November Dance” (in instrumental dance track with no lyrics) was released and much to the surprise of the artists became a commercial radio hit and retail success. “Introspection” went on to win a WCMA Award and was nominated for a JUNO Award. “Introspection” was picked up by a Bay area label entitled XDOT25 and released internationally. 

The second release “Iridescence” was released briefly in Canada, however Max Amadi from XDOT25 pitched Mythos to the Malibu based label Higher Octave (Virgin/EMI0). Max’s suggestion of the pairing of Mythos with the brilliant fine artist Gil Bruvel led Higher Octave to release the 16 track self-titled “Mythos” (1998) that went on to be released in 33 countries and sell in the high five figures. Hot on the heels of the success of “Mythos”, Higher Octave released “Reality of a Dreamer” (2000) and “Eternity” (2002). Mythos spent years in the Billboard charts and was added to many essential compilations in the time. Mythos was also used for “Victoria’s Secret” Cannes runway production during this time. Mythos won a second WCMA award during this period. 

Once Higher Octave merged with their parent label, Mythos moved over to Alula Records/Allegro (Oregon) releasing “Purity” (2006) for the world less Canada that was retained by Adagio Music/Pacific Music/Warner.  For a few years, Paul went to Korea to teach English and Bob developed his career building Music BC (a non-profit music industry association) and his entertainment law practice. In 2012, Bob and Paul re-united for the album “Journey” released through Adagio Music/IODA (2013). In 2014, Adagio Music released a “best of” series of Mythos tracks including a special Vinyl release. A new Album “Journey” (2018) was released on Adagio/The Orchard. 

2021 is Mythos’ 25th Anniversary and this year we are pleased to release “XXV” a 14-track album including 5 new tracks and 9 fully remastered classics. The lead-off single “Legacy” featuring Cam Blake (Bob’s son and Indie Rock artist in his own right), uses progressive rock and electronic elements and was produced with returning performances by Jennifer Scott and Rene Worst. “Fly Away” is going to please many Mythos fans, getting back to Mythos’ musical roots. “Bonum et Malum” explores the dichotomy between good and evil, sadness and joy. “Progression” is a piece that evolves through the addition of ever complex melodies, all woven together into a tapestry of sound.  “Recuerdos de la Alahambra” originally composed by Francisco Tárrega and arranged for guitar and strings by Mythos, features a beautiful classical guitar performance by Paul Schmidt. The balance of the tracks (November Dance, Brazil, Planinata, Alchemy, Ascent, Icarus, Surrender, Eros and Spiritus) are a selection of Mythos’ most enduring tracks from previous albums fully remastered for the digital environment.

 

Mythos continues to have a great following around the world with over 10 Million streams  from over 90 countries.  

 

 Ian Boddy & Nigel Mullaney:  Smoke & Mirrors

Playing live can often be a challenge when using modular synthesisers and one approach that can be taken is to use a lot of equipment on stage. This was certainly the case with this concert recorded at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool on 18th November 2017. DiN label boss and long time musical collaborator Nigel Mullaney really went for it using several Eurorack modular cases as well as Ian Boddy’s Serge modular system & VCS3 and Mullaney’s Elektron devices & Korg Wavedrum. The duo further complemented this set up with Boddy's French Connection Ondes Martenot style keyboard controller and a Moog keyboard each. Cameras captured their performance live and projected it behind the duo onto a massive screen for a totally immersive live experience.

This concert is now being released on the DDL digital only sub-label of DiN and showcases these two musicians in their natural element improvising a series of musical sections that segue seamlessly together to create a constantly unfolding tapestry of sound. From the haunting, spacey legato atmospheres of the opening track Forever through to Berlin School inspired sequenced sections such as Orthogenesis and Paradigm Shift the music never stays still. More abstract, experimental pieces such as the pair of Noise Lab tracks give way to heavier, rhythmic sections such as Vanguard and the full on encore track Run The Clock Down.

This cross pollination of genres and styles is something central to the core of the DiN ethos. At the end of the day it’s all just music and as such this approach can take the listener on a unique sonic journey. 

credits

released December 3, 2021

All tracks composed, played and produced by Ian Boddy & Nigel Mullaney.

Recorded live at the Capstone Theatre, Liverpool on 18th November 2017.

Mastered by Ian Boddy November 2021.

Concert promotion Neil Campbell.

Ian Boddy:
Eurorack & Serge modular, VCS3, Analogue Systems French Connection, Moog Voyager, Elektron Analog 4, iPAD running Borderlands, Make Noise 0-Coast

Nigel Mullaney:
Eurorack modular, Elektron Machinedrum, Octatrack, Analog 4, Digitakt & Rytm, Korg Wavedrum, Moog Sub37,
Teenage Engineering OP-1

www.ianboddy.com
www.nigelmullaney.com

 

all rights reserved 

 

ambient em electronic electronic music electronica vcs3 downtempo elektron eurorack modular synth moog serge Sunderland

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30 March 2021: FreeForm is Back on the Air!! Parallel Worlds, Dave Bessell; Anthology of Experimental Music from Peru

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The names of both Parallel Worlds and Dave Bessell should be very familiar by now to followers of the DiN ambient electronica label. Bakis Sirros (aka Parallel Worlds) has two solo albums, Obsessive Surrealism (DiN26), Shade (DiN32) as well as collaborations with DiN label boss Ian Boddy on Exit Strategy (DiN37) and most recently World Adapter (DiN48) with Self Oscillate (Ingo Zobel). Bessell on the other hand has a single solo album Black Horses Of The Sun (DiN47) as well as his contributions to the two synth supergroup Node releases (Node 2 (DiN44) & Node Live (DiN55)). Of course the duo have already collaborated before on their 2012 album, “Morphogenic” (DiN41) and “Dystopia” sees these two musicians continue their sonic dialogue.

Track titles such as “Cipher”, “Mutagen” and “Devoid” as well as the album title leaves one in no doubt that you are entering a dark and foreboding sound world. Indeed Bessell quotes the infamous novel “Neuromancer” by William Gibson as a major influence. Bakis Sirros as ever weaves his intricate modular rhythms that seem to squirm and writhe underneath vast slabs of analogue chords that rise and fall like cities. Indeed the album is very dynamic with complex, almost classical arrangements that constantly shift under one's feet. Amongst this Bessell introduces some fleeting guitar work as well as his adventurous analogue physical modelling sound design. Seeming to inhabit a netherworld between dark electronica and progressive synth these two musicians have once again created an album that just doesn’t sound like anyone else out there. Join them for a unique sonic adventure. 

credits

released September 21, 2018

All tracks composed, arranged and produced by Dave Bessell & Bakis Sirros between November 2015 and November 2017.

Bakis Sirros: ARP-2600, Doepfer A-100, Concussor, Eurorack modular (with Make Noise, Intellijel, Mutable Instruments, Waldorf, Cyndustries, Tiptop audio modules), Serge, Buchla, Blacet/Metalbox/CGS modulars, Oberheim Xpander, OB-Mx, Waldorf Microwave 1, Microwave XT, Roland System-100, Nord Modular, Yamaha FS1R, Emu EMAX II, and other sound modifiers, tape echo & software.

Dave Bessell: Macbeth M5n, Minimoog, Moog Sub37, Alesis A6, Vermona Perfourmer, MosLab System 32, Gibson Les Paul, Laney and Fender amps & Aum guitar.

Bakis wishes to thank: friends and family, John Sirros, Ian Boddy, Mamonu, Marko Ettlich, Ingo Zobel, Alio Die, Dimitris Pavlidis (synthesizer.gr).

Dave wishes to thank: friends and family, Gareth Whittock at Aum Guitars, Mathew Emmett.

Cover photo by Mathew Emmett http://mathewemmett.com

Mastered by db

Parallel Worlds link:
www.parallel-worlds-music.com

Dave Bessell link:
sites.google.com/site/davebessellmusic/home 

 

ambient buchla em electronic electronic music electronica modular synth moog progressive serge Sunderla

 

Once overlooked as a source of great music, producing everything from psychedelia to punk, and ethereal bliss to powerful riffs, Peru is rapidly advancing to the forefront and a well-deserved spot the history of musical evolution. Being that experimentation has always been a common denominator in everything Peru has delivered to the world, Unexplained Sounds Group is proud to release this compilation detailing how these experimental and risk-taking tendencies have been developing.

Keeping its focus on contemporary artists rather than on those coming from the "50s Generation" (as the first composers are referred to), the aim of this anthology is to highlight the genre's evolution from Valcárcel’s fusion of European avant-garde influences with Peruvian folklore, to the current day, in which artists like Paola Torres Núñez del Prado or Vanessa Valencia Ramos keep pushing the envelope, creating a new identity for future artists to follow.

Jorge Castro Ortega

credits

released March 5, 2021

Edited by ©Unexplained Sounds Group
Curated and mastered by Raffaele Pezzella
Special thanks to Jorge Castro Ortega and Diego Faucheux for their precious help
Cover image: Fragment of a cloth with a flying figure. Paracas culture, Peru
© 2021. All rights reserved 

 

experimental avant-garde drone improvisation musique concrete sound art Italy