Why We Bleep Podcast 004: Transistor Sounds Labs

Thanks to episode sponsors www.signalsounds.com // This month we welcome the wonderful geek pairing that is Transistor Sounds Labs, formed of partners Nina Richards and Zoe Blade. Like Abstract Data, 'TSL' is another fantastic example of this cottage industry of synthesis companies. Their 303-inspired Stepper Acid module is most definitely an indie hit, and continues to be built by hand, in the UK, in their garage and home in sunny Stoke. Despite its humble beginnings, users include Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
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In this episode we talk about this, and more. We discuss the process of how you make a module independently, how they arrived at the final design. We discuss inspiration, music making, programming, and touch on the ongoing problems of female representation and marginalisation in the music technology industry, and what needs to change.
303's at the ready folks, and let's have a listen.
Check out their Stepper Acid and more at: www.transistorsoundslabs.com/
Find them on twitter: / tslnow
Buy Eurorack and other fine kit from episode sponsors Signal Sounds: www.signalsounds.com (Tell 'em we sent you)
More Podcasts at: whywebleep.com
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[@AmericanAstroMonkey]

I really sympathise with their original idea of doing modular to escape the PC screen. That's why I took this up.

[@loudcloud6889]

"I think it encourages you to not be accepting of the technology you've been given." So on point

[@Deaphdot1]

love that there is now the working version of the drum sequencer... Thanks for this... been on the fence about getting one for some time and now i must get a stepper acid

[@JamesStiff]

As the father of a daughter (9) and a son (7), it’s reassuring to see two strong, inspiring, female role models taking on the male-dominated music and tech industries. It’s crazy that this conversation is even necessary in 2018 but it’s obvious that we’re still a long way off equality and inclusivity. Awesome episode!

[@DanJohnson]

Whole heartedly agree with the forum naming, idiotic and embarrassing.

[@jacksonick77]

This is my favorite episode so far. These two are lovely. I've listened to it on the way to work and repeated on the way back. Thanks

[@mylarmelodies]

That’s ace Nick, thanks!!

[@Natemasterflex]

I soooo look forward to these Why We Bleep videos!! Thanks a ton for your hard work making these for us!!! So sorry to hear about the Shingles! My girlfriend and I have both had it, and it’s very painful. Glad to know you are alright man.

[@nodfactor8808]

So much insightful, useful bits in here! Thank you!

[@alexblunt7493]

So inspiring!!! Zoe and Nina fucking rock. More of this would be most welcome!

[@christopherlynch4347]

Super excited to hear about more from you! Really nice folks to listen to.

[@mooseinbeesocks2700]

next episode is going to be lit I can't wait! I binged the entire series at work today haha

[@__Comint]

Brilliant interview! This was very fascinating and inspiring on so many levels. Cheers!

[@billybuttars7496]

Glad to hear you OK mate! Don't know what I'd do without your content.

[@diglet553]

I agree with the discussion about the gender demographic with music technology. I did a Music Tech degree at uni and there was only about 5 girls in a class of 90, and after staying on to do a PhD, this demographic really hasn't changed at all. I'm glad that the YSWN exists and I support its effort in trying to address this demographic problem. Also, Zoe's point about programming lacking any concept of gender is spot on. Computers have zero knowledge of who made or programmed them, so should be approached by anyone no matter what. Anyway, I met these two at a modular meet in 2015 and they're an awesome pair. Love the stepper acid, I'm a big fan of acid and the 303. Great interview! :D

[@mylarmelodies]

👏👏👏

[@sauce_aux]

This three part conversation is near verbatim to my inner monologue, when it comes to making music haha damn great interview

[@robertsyrett1992]

Fun to see the thought process behind the evolution of their sequencer. Also, I'm quite chuffed to hear from Mutable Instrument's CEO/Janitor. That guy is awesome.

[@LarcTald]

Oh oui!!

[@daren.t.housse2121]

Great video and see the people behind the tech :)

[@astralbraintentacles1212]

Interesting to hear about Zoe's creative process, mine is quite similar! I also make the MIDI arrangement before coming up with more timbrel ideas... and also record into Reaper.

[@t3l3phasicworksh0p]

If you wake up with the symptoms that Alex describes - please please please come to A&E - immediately - any time, any place, anywhere - opthalmic shingles is hideous and can be treated easily although recovery can take several weeks. And yes, I am an A&E doctor. Get well soon Alex and keep encouraging music creation from everyone. BTW the Stepper Acid is the only module that has never left my rack.

[@milanspasic2719]

Love what you're doing, looking forward to the Olivier podcast!One thing Id love to hear is music or sound samples when you are talking about certain artists, modules or processes. A music podcast without music seems weird, no?

[@dualtrx]

I can confirm all you said about Signalsounds. Lots of love for the Glasgow movement.

[@mylarmelodies]

Amen. And Jason is one of my favourite people full stop.

[@signal-sounds]

Thanks Dualtrx! We try our best to give the best service to the modular community!

[@RichardLacyMusic]

Thanks for this. Very interesting listen. +1 for the Stepper Acid: It really is excellent. Hope you're feeling better mate. I'd blame the air down there,

[@mylarmelodies]

Haha, need me some of that Northern air eh, been too long

[@hellcoreproductions]

This was awesome, thanks!

[@LaKuS]

great talk. thank you!

[@diglet553]

Also another side note, a VCV Rack plugin developer called Vult has created some fairly analogue sounding filter emulations such as the Polivoks and Steiner Parker. I'm pretty sure he's working on a CMOS filter emulation too so it'll probably interesting to compare his efforts against the real deal when it's out!

[@jeffgreenlee1226]

Ok.. as usual, I find I am always Months behind on catching up on mylarmelodies videos and blogs... (and I doubt I will ever hear them all!)... but I just wanted to say I was thoroughly intrigued by the whole discussion .. particularly about the approaches to making music and manufacturing modules... but also the frank discussion about this weird and sometimes creepy bro centered "muff wiggled" industry. So .. big thank you for bringing it up!

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks Jeff!! x

[@willvine4921]

Good stuff , thanks !

[@JAkoGreyshire]

Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat by Charanjit Singh supposedly predates Acid House and Techno. Using all Roland gear, TB-303, TR-808, and I think, a Jupiter -8! It was reissued in 2010 on vinyl by Minimalwave Records, 100 copies, and sold out.. One can find the songs here on YT.. Enjoy the Pre-Techno sweetness that Roland gear lends itself to nicely... Great Sounds..

[@jeffallen8689]

Aye! I learned about Singh only a couple years ago. Underrated stuff, ahead of his time!

[@lomondelectronics3167]

There are small companies that do PCB board assembly, using machines to place all the parts. Provided they can afford the stock of parts it may be more economical to have their boards built (CEMS contract electronic manufacuring services), locally we have RBE Electronics for instance (Weymouth), these small places can be reasonably priced especially when you count the cost of your own time. I think the Stepper Acid is brilliant and wish the designners all best for future sales.

[@brianbrill]

Well that was delightful, thanks.

[@mylarmelodies]

Thanks Brian! 💒🙌🏻

[@temporoboto]

That was ace!

[@AndrewSouthworth]

Very cool info on how they went about developing their module. Crazy that they don't just have a PCB assembly company do the SMT component assembly - maybe it costs too much?

[@NinaRichards]

Andrew Southworth Yes, that’s the primary reason. The setup costs for pick and place are too high to make it work business-wise in small qtys at the price we wanted to sell it. I’ve gotten quite efficient at hand-placing though, and that’s only about 20% of the total build time.

[@rimartracks7279]

Great as always! Good that you touched on the sexist/men only club aesthethic that has been kind of obvious in the community.

[@kill_screen]

Zoe did some tunes on the Def Con docu, recommended

[@Phillibos]

will that DFAM jam video be released here, too ? love that thing so goddamn much

[@mylarmelodies]

Yep!

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Met a guy with not one but TWO Eloquencer sequencers! DFAM is great. I like it better than Mother 32 as you can do not just drums but synth bass/fx stuff.

[@fisheatsyourhead]

Great pod! I'm thinking of getting into modular, I've been using software instruments for a while. I have a pretty tight budget as far as I can tell for modular (~£600), and I know this question is probably tired and been asked before but can you recommend a basic setup? Living in South Wales if that's relevent for shops and such

[@labestia8099]

Big, if you're on Facebook join the Eurorack Synthesizers forum. Also, I would suggest getting a semi-Modular Synth like the Make Noise 0-Coast, Moog Mother-32, or a Bastl Kastle v1.5. Also get a Bastl Dude for mixing signals from separate Synths

[@Cencyte]

Hello, I as well have just began to dive into modular. As of now, my modular synth is around your same budget, and has some basic functionality. For a starting case, I would highly recommend the Make Noise Skiff, a 104 hp powered case which is very convenient and costs $200. From there, start with a simple oscillator such as the Intellijel Dixie or the WMD Spectrum, etc. Next, start considering a filter, such as the WMD Multimode Filter or any filter that doesn't take up that much space and has a lot of filter types (but suit yourself). Many requirements still remain, like a VCA, Envelope, LFO, but a single module from Bubblesound covers all that--the 141. Lastly, you need a sequencer. Many sequencers are made for Eurorack, but considering the fact that the Skiff is fairly limited in space, and the fact that you are on a low budget, I would HIGHLY recommend the Korg SQ-1, which has multiple CV outputs, 16 steps, and some cool play modes, just to scratch the surface. That's pretty much it. I would seriously recommend checking out a website called Modulargrid.net, which allows you to create and customize your dream Eurorack, dragging and dropping a MASSIVE selection of modules into a case which you can customize as well. Hope all this helps!

[@samhostettler]

Something to think about is that a case and power supply will be £200 minimum. Also get ready to spend every spare penny you have after you've got started. In terms of starter modules, a Disting mk4 is a pain in the ass to use but is perfect for demoing functions of modules you don't have yet. It's the only module I have two of! Mylar Melodies also has a video for it, if you're curious.

[@beathaven303]

Congratulations dudes. 1) The stepper acid module is wicked. 2) Zoe is one of the best Aphex squires I've read.

[@electronicexposure]

A few years ago as a young teen stumbling through the world of midi and electronic recording, I came across gearslutz. I never wanted my parents to see me on that site and get the wrong idea, so I can see why women would be offput by the name alone. I obviously have not had the female experience and I would say if you are on forums or vlogging and you are sexist, please stop at least being openly sexist, you can keep your bad ideas to yourself in that realm. However I have never actually witnessed anyone being openly sexist about gear, and every female musician I’ve met is more about songwriting than what type of synthesis they prefer when designing a sound for their song. So I can’t dismiss and personal accounts, and my advice is to any women who want to get into gear, just do it and be damned anyone who would try to get in your way. God knows I’ve tried to get my girlfriend into synthesizers, I think she likes them but is not obsessed with them like myself. Hopefully we see more women get into it, but if your main reason for not participating is because someone colloquially uses the term ‘guys’ referring to their audience, thats kind of a thin excuse. Let’s just make good music people!

[@mylarmelodies]

See the thing is I have worked in music technology on a daily basis for over 10 years and have witnessed bloody countless examples of sexism in gear, and heard enough accounts from women on the extent of the problem to make me feel we need to be conscious of it. The example of referring to fellow people on a forum as “guys” is intentionally a minor example of the subtle, unconscious bias we all are guilty of exhibiting, and when thousands of different cues like this compound amongst examples of outright twattishness, it leads to an environment that can make a person think “I could post this, but do I want to risk the condescending comments”, or “I could go to this synth meet but what if I’m literally the only woman there?” - You can say “well just bloody do it and the hell with what people say”, but as a guy you haven’t been on the other side of the fence, so you and I simply don’t know how hard it is at the moment. And the gender balance is poor in the field - is that because women don’t like making electronic music? Well, how do we explain the women who clearly do?!

[@TomMadisonSoundsLewis]

Yay

[@WorldFungusChamp]

The intro music sounds like something that would have been in Blue Jam

[@mylarmelodies]

Haha, that’s pretty much the best feedback I could hope for

[@norrin_sad2778]

Zoe Blade!!

[@TransistorSounds]

Hello! 😊

[@iandoesallthethings]

Will this podcast ever go up on Google Play?

[@mylarmelodies]

I’d like for it to but Google Play don’t seem to allow UK podcasts - let me know if you know a solution!

[@philtobin9510]

Muffwigglers has nothing to do with what we would associate with the word "Muff" Isn't a "Muff" a fur like tube that ladies would warm their hands in in the olden days? I hear you though, it is tragic the response that Nina got when in that meeting she talked about and it is tragic that some jobs are associated with women in just the same way, ie Nurses... As for Signalsounds, couldn't recommend them enough, outstanding service in every way. @ James Stiff, I second that. Keep up the good work all, we stand strong together.

[@Droog.28]

Phil Tobin. Unfortunately no. Muff Wiggler is a schoolboy joke name derived from 1970’s “Big Muff Pi” FX pedal - which in turn is a “pun” ie “pie slice shaped lady rug”. So a “wiggling vagina” was the “joke”. So on a comedy level it is Benny Hill rather than Monty Python! Anyway the guy who set up Muff Wiggler doesn’t seem to give a damn either way. www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=488

[@philtobin9510]

That is a shame, me with my sheltered life, thought they were talking about this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muff_(handwarmer) That puts Muff wiggler in a whole new sexist light.... Additionally this is how the votes are going, even more idiotic: What do you think? It's bordering on, or is, unacceptable to me 6% [ 97 ] It's mildly offensive, to be honest 13% [ 181 ] It's immature/stupid, but harmless 15% [ 216 ] I don't care either way 20% [ 287 ] It's pretty funny! But I see the other side as well 15% [ 209 ] I think it rocks! 28% [ 398 ] Total Votes : 1388 Out of 1388 users only 6% find it unacceptable.... Every more additions: Out of the 1388 Total Votes how many are women? How many are guys who think there opinion is the only correct opinion and how many are guys that bury their head in the sand when it comes to concerns from there partners or just say it's down to hormones? How many are aware that this is the 21st century and there is no place for outdated opinions.

[@themanefaces]

Amstrad 6128! Yeah! 10 Print "Hello" 20 Goto 10

[@aroomthedoomed]

what's wrong with reddit?

[@braincoral9866]

pedant alert! chads are the little bits of paper that come out of the holes created by a punch, not the holes themselves! I'll get me coat.

[@mylarmelodies]

That’s what we were saying - maybe it came out wrong!

[@braincoral9866]

I'm sure. Ignore me. My wife does. I can't help myself

[@braincoral9866]

great interview by the way - trackers...ahhhh /me drifts off into a sea of autoexec.bat and himem.sys...those were (weren't) the days...

[@braincoral9866]

Don't suppose you remember Dr. Sbaitso?

[@lefrise5]

Tech things have no gender for sure. But my experience indicates me that women generally tend to like being around people rather geeking out on their own. Am I biased? Sure I am... Is there any biological root to it? Probably not... But am I a bad person for even thinking there could be?

[@mylarmelodies]

No, but be mindful of your biases! Remember how society has marketed certain things to boys and certain things to girls for decades...