Davide Coretti – Dave Bundy

1. Favourite knob or fader or switch on a piece of gear and why?

Doepfer Wasp filter

It’s definitely the Frequency knob of the Doepfer Wasp Filter, when the Resonance is 100%. I have two of them, because that filter has a unique character and timbre which i love!
They say it’s noisy and dusty dude, but that’s the way we like it.
All you need to do is to put the Resonance at 100% and tweak the frequency a little bit and you’ll find all the sweet spots you didn’t know you needed. LOVE IT.

2. Do you have an ‘almost’ perfect bit of kit? What would you change?

XOR Electronics NerdSeq for sure.
It has tons of functions and possibilities, but triplets and 3 based tempos aren’t well implemented, so you’ll need to find lots of work-arounds to achieve it.
I must say that if you use the module the standard way – only with its built-in I/O – you’ll have a easier time with it, but if you push it, as I do, using tons of expanders and connections… then it can be very complex.

XOR Nerdseq

3. What setup do you bring on holiday or tour or commute etc.?

Through the years I tried to achieve the “standalone-repeatability” in modular synth world and I think i made it using the Nerdseq combined with the ES-9 and the MPC One.
I have a pre-patched system where every single module is patched to the NerdSeq and its CV Expanders, so I can reach and modulate most important knobs with the sequencer per step. The MPC is connected to the class compliant modular audio interface ES-9 from Expert Sleepers, which provide me an audio track per module (channel strip, eq, noise gates, compressor, fx, etc per single module).

MPC One and Eurorack

4. What software do you wish was hardware and vice versa?

In my opinion there’re already so many possibilities both hardware and software that I can’t really tell which one I wish it was real/vst.. but for sure I’m still looking for a sequencer as the one in the Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators or the Erica Synth Perkons HD-01, that can control external gear so easy as they do… maybe with integrated fx per step too?

Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO32

5. Is there anything you regret selling… or regret buying?

7 years ago, when I moved from my hometown (Taranto) to the city where I live now (Camerano) before buying a house with my wife – I needed to sell a bunch of gear and instruments that I still miss.
One of those is the 5U portable system from Synthesizers.com which I really loved and I would have loved to integrate with my current studio gear, to see what it could do with the latest sequencers and newer midi-cv connections.

Synthesizers.com 5U modular

6. What gear has inspired you to produce the most music?

If we talk about software I would say Propellerheads Reason 3.0 because it was my first love with a DAW and I still find some lost projects in it, like some ancient hard-disk that I try to recreate with new sounds and gear and it still is inspiring to me.

On the hardware side I would say the Make Noise Shared System with the CV Bus case for sure.
I didn’t have all the exact modules from the original shared system – because I didn’t get it as a whole piece, but module by module – but it was definitely the most inspiring gear that made me jam a lot and record some videos and tracks.
My only problem was the one-shot approach: once you switch it off you’ll never be able to recreate it perfectly (which IS also motivating/inspiring somehow)

Make Noise Shared System

7. If you had to start over, what would you get first?

Following my heart I’d say the Moog Voyager that was one of the synth I loved the most… but now a days it would probably be a Moog Matriarch, because of its character, paraphony, possibilities, easy layout, semi-modular structure and so on.

Moog Voyager

8. What’s the most annoying piece of gear you have, that you just can’t live without?

It’s the NerdSeq again. It was the game changer of my gear, but I had to choose an approach that fit its needs and it was – and is – not so simple.
I still use some of note sheets as summary of knob connections and reminder of hexadecimal values to reach certain sounds.
It’s probably the most annoying piece of gear to get prepared, but once it’s done.. just wow!
To avoid losing the flow – in fact – I use to get the track ready in Logic with VSTs and plugins and then translate it in NerdSeq language.

Nerding out with the Nerdseq

9. Most surprising tip or trick or technique that you’ve discovered about a bit of kit?

It is the Erbe-Verb secret drums!
Try sequencing the size knob of the Erbe-Verb module and you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Advice: set big differences between steps to hear it better. Check it out in this video here:
Dave Bundy – Floating (MakeNoise Shared System)


Artist or Band name?

Davide Coretti aka Dave Bundy.

Genre?

Industrial, OST, electro with constant melodic component.

Selfie?

Davide Coretti aka. Dave Bundy

Where are you from?

Italy.

How did you get into music?

My journey began in 2001 as a drummer, then in 2006 I discovered Nine Inch Nails and it all started… software, pedal effects, hardware, synths, modular synths, outboards, and so on.

What still drives you to make music?

Making music – to me – is a need and that’s the reason why most of the things I do are still on my hard-disk years later.
I used to share more in the past, but I don’t know when or why I stopped doing it.
Probably when internet got flooded by people talking too much, instead of playing something.

How do you most often start a new track?

The real question is “How often do you FINISH a track?”
As I said I do it for a need, so I start a new track anytime I need to put it out… recording an audio note on my phone, while working or driving, recording a jam or just sitting in the studio with an opened project.
All that’s not finished is still new.
It’s easy to start something fresh, but finishing it and moving on is the real point.

How do you know when a track is finished?

In my opinion a track is finished once it’s released or published.
But even in that case there’ll be remixes and alternative versions!
For this reason I keep all the unfinished tracks and projects in my hard-drives as a sort of Harry Potter’s Pensieve, where I can find old memories and feelings through years.. believe it or not but i remember every single project and the feelings that moved me, to start it in the exact moment I recorded it.
Yeah I know, it sounds a little bit weird and I probably am, but let me say that it is so good to open an old project and add something fresh to it, as a constant evolving train of thoughts through the years.

Show us your current studio

Studio 1
Studio 2
Studio 3
Studio 4

Best creative advice that you’ve ever heard?

I think I heard it from Deadmau5 Masterclass.
He said to store every single pattern, project, sound or idea – apparently useless or without context – in a personal library, because there’ll always be a moment where you think that you’re stuck and that library would save you from using other people ideas, keeping your authenticity.

Promote your latest thing… Go ahead, throw us a link

Not my latest, but one of my favorite one for sure (as Dave Bundy)
Dave Bundy – Amorphous
This is the latest one from my historic band, which I am the drummer and co-author of some songs. In this track I played drums and recorded most of the synth you hear using the Moog Slim Phatty.
It’s Today Or Never


Caspar Hesselager – Synthful Jebus

1. Favourite knob/fader/switch on a piece of gear & why?

Mighty Macbeth Vernier knobs

Great question. This matters. 100% the Vernier-dials on my Macbeth Elements. Posh answer, I know, but they’re just so smooth and satisfying to turn!

MacBeth Elements

2. Do you have an ‘almost’ perfect bit of kit? What would you change?

Probably my Sequential OB-6. It’s so damn good. In a perfect world it’d be 8 or 16 voices. But it’s amazing, and especially if you add the GeoSynths Low Frequency expander (which I definitely will) it’s pretty much all the poly-synth you (I) need. The Make Noise Shared System is close to perfect in a way too. I would make the Erbe Verb have a stereo input, if I could change one thing. Best reverb ever.

Sequential OB-6

3. What setup do you bring on holiday/tour/commute etc.?

I’ve brought my OP-1 and/or Digitakt on several trips and tours, but I usually never get around to using them much. Right now with this whole Corona-situation I’ve assembled a little spot at home with a DFAM, Vermona RetroVerb and a modest 104hp of Eurorack to pass the time and come up with sounds to use later on.

TE OP-1

4. What software do you wish was hardware or vice versa?

I wish there was a Soundtoys multi-fx hardware unit of some sort! Like their Effects Rack plugin. That would be fun, especially for live use. I use Soundtoys constantly (like everyone else?).
The other way around is more tricky, I almost feel like we already have everything? Oh, I know, an iPad Make Noise Shared System would be interesting for jamming in the sofa.

5. Is there anything you regret selling… or regret buying

I regret selling my Prophet 08. I replaced it with the Rev2 because it has some advantages live. But I have to say, the 08 just sounded better. I will be getting a used desktop version at some point again, I think. I usually hold on to things though, since I just know I’ll come back to most things, even if I don’t use them for a while. I don’t really have any buying regrets. Maybe some modules here and there, but hey, that’s part of the journey!

6. What gear has inspired you to produce the most music?

Yamaha upright piano

Definitely the good ol’ piano. But I find the Make Noise Shared System (and modular in general) incredibly inspiring too.

Make Noise Shared System

7. If you had to start over, what would you get first?

Starting out today with synths on a relatively modest budget, and wanting to get into (semi) modular,  I would probably get a 0-coast, Mother 32, or Grandmother. For starting in general, get a laptop and Ableton or Logic. All you need, basically.

8. What’s the most annoying piece of gear you have, that you just can’t live without?

My computer, by a mile. I kind of hate it, and Logic too (which I the only DAW I use). Don’t get me started on why! And a shout out to my MFB Tanzbär. I use it quite a bit and adore the sound, but man, that interface is something else. Drives you crazy. Good luck getting parameter locks to work, EVER!

MFB Tanzbär

9. Most surprising tip/trick/technique that you’ve discovered about a bit of kit?

More a general piece of advice or tip maybe, but I encourage everyone to get into pedals and hardware effects. It just changes how you approach making sounds, and takes you away from the screen. As much as I love plugins, there’s just no substitution for the hands-on tweaking and interaction on the fly that you get from pedals. And it teaches you to commit to your sounds, because there are no infinite recall and undos. I have this chain that I use very often where every synth I have goes through a small stereo looper, three Eventide pedals + one Strymon, and into a Culture Vulture stereo distortion before hitting the computer. The opportunities with something like that are infinite.


Artist or Band name?

Caspar Hesselager. My Heart the Brave. Palace Winter.

Genre?

Epic widescreen alternative everything.

Selfie

Caspar Hesselager. A man of many knobs!

Where are you from?

Copenhagen.

What still drives you to make music?

Simply discovering new sounds. Infinite options, surprises, and ways to go, even with the same few Legos.

How do you most often start a new track?

Often with a tempo that feels right for that day. After that drum machine and acoustic piano combo, usually. With modular, sort of the same, I have a tempo and a vibe from the beginning that I try to pursue, and then the machine will surprise me along the way.

How do you know when a track is finished?

When it sounds KILLER! 😀 At some point it just becomes this little universe that stands on its on feet, and then you leave it there. I can take a week or 2 months though, to get to that place, that’s the tricky part. But I’d say in general, I don’t have a hard time finishing tracks.

Show us your current studio

Caspar’s Studio

Best creative advice that you’ve ever heard?

Hmm, trying to search through all the bad advice I’ve endured to get to some good, hold on. I heard Knud Romer [Editor: Danish author] say recently when asked, how do you write a great book, that “you edit a bad one”. To me that translates to keep writing and recording until it’s good. Stay at it, eventually you will come up with something cool.

Promote your latest thing… Go ahead, throw us a link.

6 Synthesizer Performances Album:
https://open.spotify.com/album/4YaG8wKDZap9Ge3HF5Snel?si=g0ooOyFCTHGHgq_p4M-5jg

YouTube synth videos:
https://www.youtube.com/c/casparhesselager


[Editor: Do you have a favorite tip, trick or way of working with any of the gear from this interview?
Then throw a comment below…
]