During the recording, I was mainly manipulating that 101 noise sound attached to the kick, and the 202 part, which is subtly brought in and out by my hand on the filter cutoff and resonance. In those days, I would sometimes use what is called ‘Song Mode’ on the old Roland machines, and so the 808 snare and the ARP 2500 melody were programmed to come in and out where they do throughout the whole track without me having to do anything while recording.
“I think an analogue synth is an extension of the natural world.”
Analogue machines with computers inside them, like all those early 80s Roland machines, are great because the computer responds to your mind’s commands and the analogue synth responds to your body’s energy. Using a computer for sounds places a division between your actual physical energy in the moment, and the sound you hear. I think an analogue synth is an extension of the natural world and correlates to the body and all living things perfectly. Analogue synths are like all of nature reflected in a machine, and computers are some other world which is an alternative to the one provided by nature. I’d say analogue synths sound great and are fun to play with, and computers are good at obeying commands.
‘After Below’ was nice because I barely did anything. It is my nature to work really hard and challenge myself. I like difficulties and am drawn to complications. But this song was just me being easy-breezy, and I guess the vibe of it feels easy-breezy, which is a nice feeling.”
