Sarah Belle Reid Unleashes the Nebulae of Elektron Tonverk

As Sarah Belle Reid greets her audience, we are drawn into a world where sound is not merely heard but felt. She introduces us to the Elektron Tonverk, a groundbreaking 16-track sampler and effects workstation. A sophisticated symphony of polyphonic multi-sampling and modulation awaits within this compact device. For those familiar with the Elektron cosmos, the Tonverk presents both familiar terrain and newfound vistas to explore. Reid embarks on this journey with the curiosity of an artist eager to paint with sound. Her prior experience with the Electron Digitone adds a layer of expectation, yet Tonverk is an uncharted galaxy ripe for discovery.

Sarah delves into the alchemy of sampling, where each captured sound mutates into a vessel of emotion. The Tonverk becomes her palette, preloaded with myriad samples yet yearning for fresh sonic imprints. This instrument is a conduit for crafting and processing unique samples, whether recorded live, transferred via USB, or plucked from an SD card. Here, samples are not static entities but dynamic waves ready to be shaped and molded. The device’s single, multiplayer, and subtrack machines offer a canvas as boundless as the cosmos itself. Capturing a simple vocal sample transforms the Tonverk into an ethereal choir, while its multiplayer function emulates the nuanced timbres of acoustic instruments. Reid’s fascination with the auto-sample feature is palpable, breathing life into her Buchla 200E’s resonant patches. Each note blooms amidst the nebulae, a spectral dance of velocity and timbre. In this exploration, the instrument transcends its physical form, embracing its role as a storyteller of sound.

In the realm of effects, the Tonverk offers a rich tapestry of possibilities. Each track is a canvas that filters, amplifies, and romps through a myriad of aural textures. The degrader effect stands out, a maestro of digital distortion and glitching that breathes life into every note. As the sound fractures and reforms, there is an architectural beauty to its chaos. The modulation capabilities open new dimensions, allowing every effect to alter reality. When paired with external audio inputs, the Tonverk becomes a living organism of sound manipulation. It is a portal, inviting signals from synthesizers and voices to traverse its multi-effects universe. What unfolds is a collaboration between musician and machine, a vivid resonance that echoes through the ether.

The journey continues as Sarah Bell Reid orchestrates the mix and modulation of the Tonverk’s soundscape. Each track funnels through an intricate web of bus tracks and send effects, weaving layers together into a unified sonic tapestry. The flexibility of audio routing reveals the device’s dexterity, guiding sounds through compression, distortion, or layered effect chains. Yet, it is within the send tracks where true artistry occurs, precisely controlling how each sound marries with shared effects. Modulation imbues life into static signals, allowing them to pulse and breathe independently. In Reid’s hands, the Tonverk transforms from a workstation into an artist’s easel, where sounds are brushes, and the arrangement becomes a masterpiece.