Process

How we make what we make
On Process & Transparency

Every sound, every word, every frame, every illustration, every piece of cover art — all of it is made by human beings, by hand, with physical instruments and analog hardware, in a room. No AI-generated images. No AI-generated audio. No AI-generated music. No AI-generated writing. No AI-generated video. No AI voice cloning. No AI-assisted composition.

The extent of our AI use, when and if employed, does not extend past computational, organizational, or educational — and even then we are extremely cognizant of its use. Generally speaking, the bulk of use on our end is maintaining, troubleshooting, and logging signal chains, coding, and scripting automatic tasks such as Python scripting employed within TouchDesigner and similar programs for doing things like creating SRT files for timed word captions and other mundane tasks that would otherwise be hard for a single person to maintain.

Everything listed below is real hardware and real software operated by real people. If anyone ever claims otherwise, this page exists so we don't have to argue about it. The gear list is the argument.

Audio Chain

Semi-Modular & Desktop Instruments

We used to use Teenage Engineering until we learned it is just very expensive interior design.

Electro-Acoustic

Modular

Microphones & Audio Interface

Effects & Expression

Plugins: too many to list, but favorites include Malibu, GlitchMachines, Transit, and anything from FreakShow Industries.

Controllers, Sequencers & Utilities

Audio Software

Audio Signal Chain

Every single instrument can be used simultaneously if necessary.

Zoom LiveTrak L6
  • CH 1: Herbs and Stones Mousse (Output A)
  • CH 2: Herbs and Stones Mousse (Output B)
  • CH 3: Plinky+
  • CH 4: Make Noise Strega
  • CH 5: Beetlecrab Tempera
  • CH 6: Manifold Antilope
Bastl Bestie
  • CH 1: After Later Audio Mingles (Mix L/R)
  • CH 2: Befaco Oneiroi (Main L)
  • CH 3: Reserved: Distortion Circuit
  • CH 4: Elta Music Solar 42F (headphone out)
  • CH 5: Intellijel 1U Stereo Mixer (Mix L/R)
Tascam Model 12
  • CH 1/2: Zoom L6 (stereo sum)
  • CH 3/4: Bastl Bestie (stereo sum)
  • CH 5: Artcessories Split Mix 4 (main out)
  • CH 6: Soma Pulsar 23
  • CH 7/8: Elektron Octatrack (stereo main out)
  • CH 9/10: Mac Studio (DAW / software audio)

Clock & Control

MIDI Clock: Nome 2 → Squarp Hapax → A: U6 MIDI Interface | B: Kenton Thru 5 | C: Bome Box | D: Plinky — Kenton Thru 5 → Octatrack / Metropolix / T1 / Bitbox — U6 → Sub37 / Pulsar — Bome Box → FH2 & All Software
Analog Clock: Nome 2 → Pamela's New Workout → All Other Sync
The Squarp Hapax is the overall MIDI & CV brain. All other sequencers are patched at will. The FH2 is the MIDI-to-CV bridge, receiving signal via Bome Box from the Mac Studio or Hapax — from there it translates MIDI to CV, with one FHX-8CV expander set to 1V/oct for video signals. Metropolix is the main CV sequencer for modular. Ornament-8 handles industrial and off-kilter scoring, generally sending to the Noon or Pulsar. T1 is used as a generative soundbed for ambience & texture.
Video Chain

Standalone Video Synths

Video Mixers

Video Eurorack

Utilities

Video Software