THIRTEEN SYSTEMS by Benge

New album here: zackdagoba.bandcamp.com/album/thirteen-systems

Thirteen years after the release of his original synthesiser concept album, Twenty Systems, Benge brings you a follow-up of sorts, the similarly themed Thirteen Systems, an album of modular explorations, showcasing his evolving fascination with these modular machines


The pieces were originally commissioned by the newly formed Modulisme radio broadcast, Philippe Petit’s project to bring the music of underground modular artists together and provide a platform for the burgeoning electronic modular music scene that has been building momentum in recent years


There is one significant difference in the approach Benge took in the creation of this new Systems album compared to his first incarnation. The previous album used overdubbing techniques to layer the sound of each synthesiser upon itself to build up the tracks, but on this album Benge took the decision to play each piece in real time, without overdubs or edits, creating each piece as a live performance. This meant setting up each instrument in advance and either letting it play along by itself, or interacting with it as the pieces develop in various ways. Each performance was filmed and there is an accompanying 60 minute video that goes with the album



Track listing:

01 - 1967 Buchla 100
02 - 1968 Moog 3C
03 - 1969 EMS VCS3
04 - 1970 ARP 2500
05 - 1971 Buchla 200
06 - 1972 Serge Modular
07 - 1973 Emu Modular
08 - 1974 Paia 4700
09 - 1975 Polyfusion 2000
10 - 1976 Formant Modular
11 - 1977 Korg PS3100
12 - 1978 EMS Polysynthi
13 - 1979 Roland 100M

Written and Performed by Benge at Memetune Studios, England

Designed, filmed and edited by Benge

(c)Expanding Recordings 2020, All rights reserved

Originally created for the MODULISME radio show, first broadcast in
February 2020


Special thanks to:
Philippe Petit / Modulisme
Steve Malins (@randommanagement)


MEMETUNE STUDIO BLOG: http://myblogitsfullofstars.blogspot.com


MORE ABOUT MODULISME SESSIONS (https://modulisme.info)
MODULISME (translates MODULARISM) is a radio program which broadcasts Electronic Music, and more precisely a new meeting around...

MODULAR SYNTHESIS: a process for creating sounds using a synthesizer composed of a set of independent modules where each performs a function: oscillator (VCO), filter (VCF), amplifier (VCA), envelope generators, effect, mixer... The choice of modules and their interconnection is completely free in order to push further the traditional patterns...

Our desire is to let the sound-designer express himself during one hour by playing live or studio recordings of his choice.

We are developing a platform that will document the genre and draw attention upon the composers who make it strong.