Esoteric Modulation

Ed Ball - Ben Wilson

Esoteric Modulation was a podcast delving into the creative expression of modular synthesis, standalone synthesizers, Eurorack, and unconventional esoteric electronic instruments — including Buchla, Ciat-Lonbarde, Soma, Folktek, and much much more! Between 2019 and 2020, we explored the creative intersections of electronic music and the arts, conducting in-depth interviews with musicians, artists, and innovators. We regularly featured inspiring guests discussing their creative process, instruments, and art projects.  From esoteric gear to experimental soundscapes, our conversations tried to uncover the unique and inspirational! Hopefully, our musings on all these topics added to the rich tapestry of creative ideas we wanted to champion to our audience. While we're not currently producing new episodes, Esoteric Modulation may return in the future — so stay tuned! Keep an eye on our website and socials for any updates. In the meantime, we hope you've enjoyed the journey so far! Stay creative and stay inquisitive. All the best, Ed & Ben. 

  1. 08/09/2020

    EP23: ‘From Baroque to Buchla!'

    Send us a text In this months show, we have the mighty Todd Barton gracing our podcast. We talk about his album metaScapes and the inspiration behind the album, the MetaSynth. We chat about the compilation Buchla cassette he has been involved with, and we take a deep dive into Todd's creative process via some art talk! Then we round the show off talking Hordijk system, Serge and of course, Buchla! Ben And Ed's pre-talk Timings 0.00 Show Intro 0:47 What Ben's Been up to - Modular Meets Leeds 2:47 FELT Instruments Wolno 3:55 Ben's Sound Example 6:07  Chat about example 7:00 What Ed's Been up to -  Piano 7:47 Nord Drum 9.25 Bacteria Evolution 9:46 Ed's Sound Example 10:54 Chat about example 12:39 Audio problems with the Show Guest Show Timings   13:29 Guest Into 17:02 metaScapes and MetaSynth Software 25:47 Genome 1 - Sound Snippet form metaScapes 27:20 Terrain Sound Snippet form metaScapes 28:10 metaScapes and MetaSynth 33:38 Compilation Buchla cassette 36:50 The Marriage of Tape, Buchla and Vinyl    38.19 The creative process 44:30 The Love for Art and music 48:40 A deep respect for the sound 50:20 Hordijk system - Serge - Buchla 59:06 Show round-up Show info links Todd Barton: Website: https://toddbarton.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synthtodd/?hl=en Bandcamp: https://toddbarton.bandcamp.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/synthtodd Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/user7621213 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn5s_5aF2xvt6IVSiaNUR5A Existing Interviews with Todd - https://sourceofuncertainty.audio/podcast/episode-1-266-todd-barton/ https://dotwave.fireside.fm/toddbarton https://artmusictech.libsyn.com/podcast-215-todd-barton https://theplayfulmusician.com/341-2/ http://martinyammoller.com/9oddquestionsformusicgearjunkies/todd-barton-the-don-of-buchla/ The Buchla cassette compilation has been released yesterday (300 copies) and was sold out in a day! Signing off Isolation streaming resource - https://bit.ly/coronastreams Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Support the show

    1h 3m

  2. 06/08/2020

    EP22: Patch C.V!

    Send us a text In this months show, we have a great conversation with David Elliott Johnson the creator and Director of Patch CV! We talk about his creative rebirth through modular equipment and the community. How he was inspired to create Patch CV. We talk about editing, lighting, videography and the collaborative vision and workflow of Patch CV. We talk about the inspiration David took from the many artists he interviewed, and much, much more! Sit back and grab a cuppa, you are going to enjoy this one!   Show Timings 0.00 - Show intro 0.40 - Ed and Ben's pre-show chat:  Ben: 1.23 - Loosfruit GodsBox 2.00 - The Gnarly Crust/Noise Memory:)  Ed:  3.37 - Art Project - MPC Beats 6.09 - The Gnarly Crust2/ :) Bacteria into Microgranny  This Weeks Guest:  9.05 - Guest intro  10.51 - David Elliott Johnson  12.04 - The Unmistakable Creative Podcast  15.13 - Inspirations behind creating Patch CV 37.35 - How did you piece PatchCV together creatively  43.25 - Editing, lighting, shooting and mood  49.34 - From series to film  52.57 - More films on the horizon?  59.42 - Where can you buy it? 1:00.52 - David's new show on creativity  1:03.00 - The vinyl series  1:04.00 - Bruse Springsteen  1:04.30 - Show round-up  Show info links Godsbox Loosefruit David's Interview with The Unmistakable Creative Podcast Patch CV Website  https://www.patchcv.com Patch CV on Vimeo https://vimeo.com/ondemand/patchcvfilm Patch CV on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Patch-CV- Signing off Isolation streaming resource - https://bit.ly/coronastreams Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Support the show

    1h 7m

  3. 03/07/2020

    EP21 'redstripedown'

    Send us a text In this months show, we talk to Cory Sterling aka (redstripedown) We talk about his background, starting with the bass guitar before finding the freedom of electronic music. We talk about his deep dive into modular and hardware integration in his workflow. We look at gear and his stint at Nerd Audio and Chicago Music Exchange. And we end up looking at what he is up to now both creatively and also his passion for instrument and music education.  Show Timings 0.00 Show intro Ed and Ben's pre-show chat:  1:10 Live Stream Tardis 1:52 Singal Aalt Sysnthasis Ciat Lonbarde  2:38 Bens Arpedigios  5:10 Haken Continuum Loops  12:56 Guest Intro 14:11 Welcome Cory Sterling redstripdown 14:20 Cory's Background  17:00 Journey into electronic music, synths and Modular  20:40 The integration of hardware into modular   30:10 how he found his voice with his system  37:00 Working at Nerd Audio and Chicago Music Exchange  40:40 Modules that have connected with Cory 43:20 Modular is about modulation  48:10 Patch CV  54:40 Patreon, education and music releases  58:49 Modular compilation for NWAPC and Black Life Matters 1:01.00 Show Round-up  Show Notes Cory's links: Cory Sterling (Redstripedown)  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=9154267 Bandcamp: https://redstripedown.bandcamp.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrJye_8jfj99y3ylDM-icmg/featured Instagram: @redstripedown  Show info links Links Patch CV https://www.patchcv.comhttps://www.patchcv.com Signing off Isolation streaming resource - https://bit.ly/coronastreams Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Support the show

    1h 3m

  4. 04/06/2020

    EP20: ‘The Nervous Squirrel!'

    Send us a text In this week's show, we have Dave Cranmer a mechanical sculptor and freelance engineer that has his roots firmly in sound. He is truly an adventurous multimedia artist, designer and builder that has created all kinds of beautiful, bizarre and exceptional machines! We look at his road to being 'The Nervous Squirrel', we talk building modular and focus on some of his amazing projects and commissions! From a  Radioactive Xylophone to the renowned Badgermin  (a theremin in a badger!) we talk about it all! We could not get all the show notes on this so page so head over to www.esotericmodulation.com for the full show notes. Show Timings 0.00 Show intro Ed and Ben's pre-show chat: 00.59 Accents, Currys cast and gear, 02.31 Dreaming of gear 03.18 New module tease, 04.15 Echoplex is fixed! 08.45 Valhalla Supermassive reverb and examples 16.20 Guest intro 18.10 Welcome to Dave Cranmer 19.01 The Road to Nervus Sqirl 20.21 Building the skills 21.59 First commission 23.00 Ring modulator, modular - the musical path 27.20 Radioactive  Giger counter random source and Radioactive Xylophone 32.00 logistically tricky designs 33.55 Enjoying working on commissions 35.29 Aero Chocolate dipped grammar phone 36.31 Most technically challenging project 40.00 A favourite fun project 41.00 The Bagermin 44.00 How do people find Dave 44.30 The alpaca sound system 46.46 What Dave likes to build 47.50 The Wether controlled electromechanical sound installation 50.20 Future projects  52.25 Roundup Show Notes Dave's links: Dave Cranmer - 'The Nervous Squirrel' Information Website: https://www.nervoussquirrel.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thenervoussquirrel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nervoussquirreldotcom/ Intro Links OM-1 - http://www.ondemagnetique.com Folktek Resonant Garden - http://www.folktek.com/instruments/electrocoustic/lastgarden tanh[3] video with the echoplex - https://youtu.be/W1AKzau1608 Valhalla DSP Supermassive - http://bit.ly/SUPERmassive DivKid presets for Supermassive - http://bit.ly/SUPERmassiveDIVKID Virtual CZ - https://www.olilarkin.co.uk/index.php?p=virtualcz XILS lab - PolyM - https://www.xils-lab.com/products/polym-p-160.html XFER Records - Serum - https://xferrecords.com/products/serum Felt Instruments - Wolno - https://bit.ly/Wolno Guest Links Original Dalek Ring Modulator circuit - http://www.nervoussquirrel.com/ringmodulators.html Signing off Isolation streaming resource - https://bit.ly/coronastreams Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardba Support the show

    55 min

  5. 14/05/2020

    019: 'For The love Of The Magnétique!'

    Send us a text On this week's show, we have Scott Campbell, a musician, sound designer, instrument-maker, & graphic designer based in New Orleans, LA. We talk circuit bending in the ’90s and his history. Of course, we talk all about the OM1. Then we move on to instruments in general and his musical journey and output.   Show Times: Intro and me and Ben talk the goodies we have been working with 0.00 Guest intro 12.35 Scott's history and background 13.20 The OM1 22.37 Scott's musical sound techniques 33.20 Instruments scot likes working with 35.35 Scott's Music Journey 42.30 Tips on his music production 55.30 Round up 57.30 Scott's Information: All of Scott's information including Stillness and the Remembrance video we talk about can be found at https://linktr.ee/scttcmpbll - and his Instagram where he is most active is at: https://www.instagram.com/scttcmpbll/ Additional Notes:  http://www.mysterycircuits.com/melloman/melloman.html https://mysterycircles.bandcamp.com/a... Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Support the show

    1 hr

  6. 02/04/2020

    018: 'Machines of the night'

    Send us a text In this week's show, we talk to Cologne based artist and Youtuber Felix, the man behind 'The Tuesday Night Machines' Youtube channel. We start off with giving him a little grief about selling his Ciat Lonbarde equipment :-) Then we get down to a great conversation of what equipment speaks to Felix and His creative process with different gear. We then chat about and journey through a raft of synth formats and find time to talk Gotharman's Little deFormer, and his old school MPC 500! Grab a cuppa, sit down and press that play button.  Show Timings Intro what we have been up to: 0.00 Guest intro: 5.20 Felix of 'The Tuesday Night Machines': 6.23  Feedback loops with effects peddle: 7.02 The selling of Ciat Lonbarde: 9.44 Equipment that speaks to Felix: 13.14 Musical experiences 16.44 The creative process with gear: 20.54 An investigation into Ciat Lonbarde: 24.13 What gear has connected with Felix over the years: 26.08 Circuit bending and building: 29.40 Synth formats: 31.11 Hordijk modular systems: 33.30 Gotharman's Little deFormer: 37.35 MPC500: 44.10 Round-up: 47.00 Show Notes 'The Tuesday Night Machines' Links: https://nightmachines.tv https://www.instagram.com/tuesdaynightmachines/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtXBWHrQvC19PehB-Yu2-Vw https://nightmachines.bandcamp.com Hordijk Modular https://thehordijkmodular.blogspot.com Rob Hordijk Presentation & Synth Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzW6pTzATG4&feature=youtu.be Gotharman's Little deFormer 3 http://www.gotharman.dk/LD3.htm Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Want to start your own podcast? We use Buzzsprout, they are a great service that will hold your hand and get you up and running with hosting and linking to all podcast platforms. Get a $20 Amazon Gift Card (sent after 2nd paid invoice) by following this link https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=303803 Support the show

    52 min

  7. 05/03/2020

    017: ' A Suitcase of Drone'

    Send us a text In this week's show, we talk to Portland base sound and visual artist Amulets. We have a great conversation on his journey of tape! We talk tape equipment, artistic approach, his lineage of visual art and how his music has been part of his therapy. We touch on a lot of stuff in this one, sit back and grab a coffee!  Show Timings Intro of what we have been up to 0:00 Guest Intro: 7:42 Suitcase, VL1 and GASS 9:58  Sound and Setup Evolution 11:34 The tape as bandmates! 21:00 Playing the Guitar 25:40 Tape compersion 27.12 Blending Sounds 33:53 Tape and tape! 35:00 Effects 39:50 The visual art side 45:00 Album and therapy - BETWEEN DISTANT AND REMOTE 51:00 Playing live, The Tour 59:50 Medium Degragaration 1.02:09 Round up 1.07:09 AMULETS links Youtube - http://bit.ly/AMULETStube Instagram - http://bit.ly/AMULETSinsta Bandcamp - http://bit.ly/AMULETSband Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/amuletsmusic/posts Show Notes 5 guitar pedals for $100 - https://youtu.be/REHscICnFoc How to “de-lush” any reverb algorithm (image on website show notes) Bandcamp album of the show  AMULETS - BETWEEN DISTANT AND REMOTE https://amulets.bandcamp.com/album/between-distant-and-remote Videos from Ben’s trip Live performance and rig rundown - https://youtu.be/fQJoBXKAMVA Patreon Interview - https://youtu.be/GV-bmAREfnQ Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Support the show

    1h 9m

  8. 13/02/2020

    016: 'An Audiophile Hangout'

    Send us a text In this week's show, we have a great conversation with an amazing guest, Mr Jamie Lidell! A man that is so easy to talk to that we cover a lot of ground! Looping journeys, creative expression, his Modular journey and philosophy, all this is wrapped up with some amazing nuggets of information and insights!     Show Timings  Intro 0:00 What Ben has been up to 0:37 What Ed has been up to 1:29  Our guest sneaks in the intro (Alvin Lucier :) 2:53 Guest intro 3.54  Jamie Lidell Pecan chat 4.42 All about the looping 5.40 The Creative process 23.05 Modular journey 29:54 The creative process with Modular 41:30 Relaxing and resetting with Meditation 56:45 Round up 1:07:30  Show Notes  Jamie Lidell Website: http://jamielidellmusic.com JAMUARY INSPIRATIONS  Nigel Mullaney - 31 days album  https://din.org.uk/album/31-days-din61  Marcus Fischer - thing a day  http://mapmap.ch  Taylor Duepree - sound diary  https://soundcloud.com/12k/sets/taylor-deupree-2017-studio Alvin Lucier https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alvin_Lucier Hosts Ed Ball Website:https://www.edwardball.co.uk Ed Ball on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Edwardball Ben Wilson aka DivKid: https://www.youtube.com/user/DivKidVideo Want to start your own podcast? We use Buzzsprout, they are a great service that will hold your hand and get you up and running with hosting and linking to all podcast platforms. Get a $20 Amazon Gift Card (sent after 2nd paid invoice) by following this link https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=303803 Support the show

    1h 9m
See All (22)

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Esoteric Modulation was a podcast delving into the creative expression of modular synthesis, standalone synthesizers, Eurorack, and unconventional esoteric electronic instruments — including Buchla, Ciat-Lonbarde, Soma, Folktek, and much much more! Between 2019 and 2020, we explored the creative intersections of electronic music and the arts, conducting in-depth interviews with musicians, artists, and innovators. We regularly featured inspiring guests discussing their creative process, instruments, and art projects.  From esoteric gear to experimental soundscapes, our conversations tried to uncover the unique and inspirational! Hopefully, our musings on all these topics added to the rich tapestry of creative ideas we wanted to champion to our audience. While we're not currently producing new episodes, Esoteric Modulation may return in the future — so stay tuned! Keep an eye on our website and socials for any updates. In the meantime, we hope you've enjoyed the journey so far! Stay creative and stay inquisitive. All the best, Ed & Ben. 

Information

  • Creator
    Ed Ball - Ben Wilson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2020
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Esoteric Modulation
  • Show Website
    Esoteric Modulation