Interview with the ‘I Dream of Wires’ producer Jason Amm
POEM’s Thomas Janak talked to “I dream of wires” producer Jason Amm about the documentary and the work it entailed, future plans such as the announced shorter theatrical version and more but the conversation also touched on the modular synths themeselves, what they do to people, why they are still popular and why the resurgence of using modular systems is at an all time high. Note: The 4 hour hardcore version of the documentary is only available for a very short time and you should get your copy NOW! www.idreamofwires.org
“I dream of wires” – a 4 hour documentary about Modular Synths by Poem on Mixcloud
Synth artist Solvent meets the Make Noise Phonogene
Here’s what Solvent has to say about the video:
Hi my name is Solvent and I make electronic music. Here is a rather indulgent video of my first experiment with the Make Noise Phonogene module. Actually, indulgent as this may be, I liked this enough to press record. I used a square wave LFO to chop the splices evenly, and the SH-101 krbrd is choosing the splices via the “Organize” Cv-in. End-of-splice (“EOS”) triggers a TipTipAudio BD808 kick drum, running through the Doepfer A-189-1 Bit Modifier. Phonogene loop is processed through a Pittsburgh Modular Filter + Midiverb reverb. The source of the sample was some lame YouTube film trailer about space.
Gear and synth pictures form Vince Clarke’s studio
The I Dream of Wires crew checkod out Vince Clarke’s new Brooklyn studio in July 2012. Above: Vince Clarke and Jason Amm (Solvent) contemplate The Roland System 700…check out the huge sequencer!
Oberheim SEM wall, OB-1, Xpander, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 & more in the background.
Remaining pictures can be found here >>
Solvent’s digital/analog modular synth jam
Synth maestro Solvent has uploaded this nice Eurorack synth jam, here’s what he has to say about it:
Hello my name is Solvent and I make electronic music. It’s been a long while since I posted a new video, so…
Here is a little jam with my Eurorack modular. I’ve got digital sources being processed by analog (Modcan FMVDO digital oscillator into Pittsburgh Modular Filter vcf), and analog sources being processed by digital, then back through analog (Tip Top Audio BD808 + SD808 analog drum modules into Doepfer 189-1 Bit Modifier, then into a Harvestman Polivoks VCF filter). The FM bassline occasionally has some delay on it, from the Flight of Harmony Sound of Shadows digital delay module, which has the Intellijel Dr Octacture vcf patched into it’s feedback loop. The whole thing is sequenced by Make Noise modules – a MATHS + Brains/Pressure Points combo.
Modular jam by Solvent
Fat sounding sequence from Modcan OSC and Pittsbourgh Filter, there are more modules involved in here like TipTop 808 and bit modifier from doepfer to from the snare I guess – and there’s a delay on it. – the sequencer is a Make Noise Brains with Pressure Points and Maths.
Solvent – Modular Encounters
Canadian electronic artist Solvent was commissioned to create an all-modular synthesizer based soundtrack for the forthcoming documentary I Dream of Wires; The challenge allowed him the opportunity to work with a vast array of modular synthesizers, both new and vintage.
Solvent, born Jason Amm in Zimbabwe, and currently residing in Toronto, Canada, has been releasing his unique brand of analogue synthesizer music since 1997, encompassing crunchy IDM, melodic electro, and vocoder synthpop. Best known for his releases on Morr Music and Ghostly International, Solvent is also co-founder of the obscure, yet influential electro(nica) label, Suction Records. All of the music heard in this video segment was created by Solvent during several on-camera album recording sessions. No drum machines, samples, or hardwired synthesizers were used; each and every sound was created from scratch on the following selection of modular synthesizer systems: Eurorack, Modcan, Synthesizers.com, and Moog 15.
In addition to creating the film’s soundtrack, Amm has recently been serving as writer and producer for “I Dream Of Wires”.
Solvent was scheduled to perform live on June 2nd, 10pm at the Satosphere as part of I Dream Of Wires’ 2012 MUTEK showcase, but unfortunately his performance at the event has been cancelled.
For more info on Solvent:
solventcity.com
facebook.com/solvent
soundcloud.com/solvent
I DREAM OF WIRES is a forthcoming documentary film about the history and resurgence of modular synthesizers. The film is currently in production. This is the 6th in a series of extended interviews, which will be produced and released in various formats throughout the production, and following the release, of the film. I DREAM OF WIRES extended interview segments are sponsored by MATRIXSYNTH (m.matrixsynth.com).
Catch I DREAM OF WIRES’ showcase at Mutek Montreal 2012: Saturday June 2 @ Satosphere, with live performances, all incorporating modular synthesizers, by Sealey/Greenspan/Lanza (Orphx/Junior Boys), Keith Fullerton Whitman (Kranky/Editions Mego), Clark (Warp Records), and Container (Spectrum Spools).
For info on the film: facebook.com/idreamofwiresdocumentary
Solvent in the studio
Veteran Canadian producer and hardware lover, Solvent, gave StudioFeed an inside look at his Bloor-West home studio set-up, as well as discussed everything from why he makes music to the story behind his recent RDJ-CS5 EP. Jason touched on many topics involving music in this lengthy interview, including what it’s like to have a fifteen-year career and to still be considered a “relatively obscure” musician. In addition to making music, Solvent is also involved in a documentary on modular synthesizers called “I Dream of Wires” that is expected to be released later in 2012.
Dowload StudioFeed’s whole interview with Jason from our Soundcloud player (35 mins):
soundcloud.com/studiofeed/studiofeed-interview-solvent
for more info:
solventcity.com
solvent.bandcamp.com
Synth spotting in Solvent´s studio
Veteran Canadian producer and hardware lover, Solvent, gave StudioFeed an inside look at his Bloor-West home studio set-up, as well as discussed everything from why he makes music to the story behind his recent RDJ-CS5 EP. Jason touched on many topics involving music in this lengthy interview, including what it’s like to have a fifteen-year career and to still be considered a “relatively obscure” musician. In addition to making music, Solvent is also involved in a documentary on modular synthesizers called “I Dream of Wires” that is expected to be released later in 2012.
Weekend music listening
Here’s a couple of songs to get you in the right Saturday mood 
http://youtu.be/-bAvjrdJzhI
Cheers all
Solvent’s new video – “Curtains”
“Curtains” by Solvent. Toronto based Jason Amm (aka Solvent) has been making underground electro pop for over a decade now – since electro’s second wave. He loves analogue synthesizers – which date back to the early days of the genre, and he loves singing through a vocoder. What’s not to love? His greatest hits CD Demonstration Tape (1997-2007) is essential listening, and his song “My Radio” should be heard by anyone who likes any kind of pop music.
Video directed by Jonathan Morris. Please be sure to check out his excellent video work via his YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/roadkillcopulator
Footage shot by Solvent.
“Curtains” is taken from the 12-inch-vinyl/digital release “RDJCS5-ep” (09/2011, Suction Records – suction022).
Available to purchase through BandCamp:
http://solvent.bandcamp.com
In-depth technical info:
http://modyfier.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/solvent-process-part-271/
In April 2006, a Yamaha CS5 monosynth, having been owned by Richard D James (Aphex Twin), with the actual liner notes for his landmark “Selected Ambient Works Volume II” etched into the bottom, was sold at VEMIA auction for approximately $1200 – a bargain in retrospect. The winning bidder was, in fact, a friend of Solvent’s, and the synth resides not in a display case, but in Solvent’s studio, on generous long-term loan.
“RDJCS5″, a new 4-track 12-inch / digital EP by Solvent, is the result. Each and every sound on this record came from RDJ’s old CS5, painstakingly programmed and multi-tracked by Solvent over the course of several months. The limited capabilities and sound palette of this humble little synth provided quite a challenge, but ultimately the results are not merely an exercise in technical synthnerdery; “RDJCS5″ speaks more of Solvent’s musical kinship to thee Analord.
The 12″ vinyl edition is limited to 300 copies, in brown chipboard sleeve with sticker, and also contains an additional noise/drone piece at the end of side B. Entitled “Sandpaper”, this cut will be individually hand-etched by Solvent, for a 1-of-a-kind cut/click/loop experience.
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