Skinnerbox
Computer Music|January 2020
Berlin electronica eccentrics Iftah Gabbai and Olag Hilgenfeld tell us about the thrill of improvising dance music on stage, and their Max for Live gadgets that make it all happen
Skinnerbox

CM: How did Skinnerbox form? Olag Hilgenfeld: “We met at a house party 15 years ago, and had one of those typical jam sessions – playing instruments, making silly songs.”

Iftah Gabbai: “There was a rave renaissance going on in Berlin back then, and we built ourselves a portable PA system – a car battery powering a speaker, and me with a laptop. We became more and more ‘four-to-the-floor’, playing more clubs, and one thing led to another.”

CM: What is it about live performance that appeals to you both?

IG: “It’s our fascination with music in the moment. When we improvise on stage, the music is alive. For it to be improvised, it has to be alive. It’s our obsession with the idea of being completely flexible. ”

OH: “We like to create in the moment. It’s not only about the tones we play – it’s also about the atmosphere in the club. People demand more of the moment, and we can give it to them, and they appreciate it. You can feel that. If I play a loop with my right hand, and they want more, I can intensify it by opening the filter, for example.

You can’t do that with a ready-made recording.”

IG: “Also, every live situation is delicate. You may be turning up at a party that’s been going on for 48 hours, and you want to integrate. There’s a certain mood, and you don’t want to come with something too planned and out of context – you could, but it’ll only work in some situations. So you want to blend in and be flexible.”

CM: What about the tools you use?

Bu hikaye Computer Music dergisinin January 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Computer Music dergisinin January 2020 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

COMPUTER MUSIC DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Sonuscore The Score $399 PC MAC
Computer Music

Sonuscore The Score $399 PC MAC

The Score comes up with a film soundtrack based on your stylistic choices, but that’s just the start of it. Andy Jones scores The Score

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Baby Audio Humanoid $129 PC MAC
Computer Music

Baby Audio Humanoid $129 PC MAC

Humanoid brings the ‘extreme’ and ‘radical’ to the world of vocals, but is also one of the easiest plugins to use and abuse, says Andy Jones

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
The Synth Factory Horizen $129 PC MAC
Computer Music

The Synth Factory Horizen $129 PC MAC

A synth/sampler that packs in a lot of power at an almost silly price - despite its low profile, Andy Jones gazes at Horizen...

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Flow Mastering Suite $15/month PC MAC
Computer Music

Flow Mastering Suite $15/month PC MAC

Mastering your music just got as easy or as complex as you want. But, Andy Jones asks, is it worth yet another monthly subscription?

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Universal Audio LA-6176 $299 PC MAC
Computer Music

Universal Audio LA-6176 $299 PC MAC

UA has bundled three of its classic emulations into one channel strip. Is this analogue dream your ideal plugin team? Andy Jones finds out

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
Rack'em up...
Computer Music

Rack'em up...

IK Multimedia has announced a comprehensive update to its mixing and mastering software, T-RackS, that brings some smart mastering additions

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
FX Collection 5 €499
Computer Music

FX Collection 5 €499

Arturia's huge bundle of effects gets its regular update and it's still easily as essential as the company's V Collection

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Make a pulsing bass with GForce Axxess
Computer Music

Make a pulsing bass with GForce Axxess

Get mechanical, with a garage-inspired bass patch, which gets right to the pulsing heart of the Axxess synthesiser

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
The software that shaped us
Computer Music

The software that shaped us

Computer Music has had a 25-year history, and over the life of this magazine, the technology behind music production has changed beyond recognition. Here are the products that set the stage for the modern world…

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2024
PERFECT VIRTUAL GUITAR!
Computer Music

PERFECT VIRTUAL GUITAR!

Need a great guitar sound, but lacking any guitar-playing contacts, or the skills to play it yourself? Have no fear, your computer is here! With a few pointers, buying advice and hands-on tips, you and your PC or Mac can emulate the greatest guitarists in the world…

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024