Eurorack Madness with DivKid: ALX-106 Unleashed

Ah, the intriguing world of Machina Bristronica! DivKid, our host with the most, is back, catching up with Alex, or more famously known as ALX-106 from WMD. Their dialogue isn’t just a mere chatter; it’s a deep dive into the intricate world of modular synthesis. Watching Alex’s hybrid live rig is akin to witnessing a top-notch DJ set with a punk twist. While these guys chat setup and sound, expect to hear an array of musical elements, from house beats to quirky samples. It’s already clear that this session will be nothing less than extraordinary.

Alex’s performance rig is like a mad scientist’s laboratory: part eccentric, part genius. The core of the operation is the WMD Metron, which acts as the main sequencer. Imagine it as the brains behind this wild outfit. It’s a 16-channel gate sequencer, offering the flexibility to switch patterns on the fly without a hitch. On the drums side, you’ve got the Crater kick and Fracture clap modules, creating rhythms that punch you in the gut.

Alex isn’t just throwing random gear into the mix; there’s strategy in madness. With modules like the Assimil8or and Bastl Pizza for bass duties, it’s all about creating a performance-ready rig. The Javelin and Carbon, coupled with chaotic samples, allow for an experimental edge that feels like a wild night out in a dodgy Camden pub. It’s all blended through Ableton, with the rig offering both unpredictability and meticulous control. His gear seems to live and breathe along with every twist and turn Alex makes during his performance.

All sounds are directed into the Expert Sleepers ES9, ensuring the signal path is as pristine as it is chaotic. Using the Launch Control XL, Alex changes his setup like a mad conductor orchestrating a renegade symphony. This rig is built not just for live performance but for unexpected moments of creative brilliance. A punk ethos meets high-tech wizardry, all in the name of pushing auditory boundaries to their limits.

The backbone of Alex’s set remains firmly embedded in the WMD drum modules, serving as the stalwart basis for his performance. He keeps things simple yet limitless with the Metron, where every action is spontaneous, guided by the crowd’s energy. It’s clear Alex has one foot in the modular world and another in digital realms like Ableton, bridging the gap and merging the two worlds seamlessly.

What stands out here is Alex’s emphasis on compatibility and adaptability. By integrating MIDI and CV tools, he’s not just confined to one universe. He clocks everything with the precision of a Swiss watch, ensuring everything stays in sync. That’s right, there’s no room for error; it’s all about maintaining an irresistible groove.

And speaking of groove, Alex has his fair share of pre-recorded tracks to keep the set dynamic, flipping between house and techno effortlessly. It’s the kind of hybrid performance that keeps you guessing, never knowing which musical alley the set will veer down next. His setup is prepared for both subtlety and an all-out sonic assault, much like a DJ reading the room and reacting instantaneously.

Improvisation in Alex’s set isn’t just a gimmick; it takes centre stage. For Alex, it’s about creating musical sparks in the moment, with the Metron offering a platform to explore untapped sonic territories. Alex refers to his tracks more as ‘starting points,’ a playground for sonic exploration. It’s like a culinary artist taking simple ingredients and crafting a gourmet dish on the spot.

Alex has a knack for blending samples and sequences as if they were seasoning, adding flavour and depth to his live performances. His approach lends itself to a less structured and more fluid session, making it a thrill for both performers and their live audience. Whether it’s improvising during a live gig or jamming in a studio, each moment offers room for something new.

Phenomenally, Alex dismantles the conventional rigidity of live sets, opting instead for spontaneity and interaction. His ability to adapt and create on the fly underpins the essence of live music – unpredictable, intoxicating, and brilliantly imperfect. This isn’t just a performance; it’s an experience of shared creativity, a dialogue where the modular system and Alex become one.