How do you strike a balance between the input by the musician and the creation by the machine? And what role does randomization play in the creative process?

I think that's a very philosophical question: Where does your own creation begin, and where does the machine take over?

Producers are just very critical consumers. I try to create small accidents by turning the buttons and switches and end up with results that I like. If I'm happy with the settings, I'll leave them as they are. In the end, you have a song that is nothing more than a string of little accidents that you have blessed.

Even classical composers try out sequences of notes, and only when they fit are they written down. For me, the processes of the consumer who chooses his music in the shop and the producer who chooses his tools and sounds are similar, maybe differing only in complexity.

With more experience, you can create certain musical situations faster, but at the same time, you have the problem of ending up in the same situations more often. Sending a simple input through a tangle of processes beyond my direct control creates a kind of random output, which can be both a solution and very refreshing. Here the creative focus is shifted more to the design of the process and not the output.

I also like to use coincidence to make sounds more interesting. One example would be modulating panning or pitch to simulate the inaccuracy of the analog world. In Bitwig Studio, I can decide how much randomness I want to allow.

What is one tool you use that enables your work?

Honestly, I can only say Bitwig Studio. This is the only place where I can easily switch between producing traditional songs and creating semi-modular tools. For me, the focus on workflow and maximizing opportunities goes beyond the quantity of features. Workflow is king.

I know there are other tools with similar features — I have had a lot of experience with them — but in this case, the mix of features and workflow is extremely important for me. Nothing is worse than a tool that stands in my way, and Bitwig Studio opens new doors for me every day.



If you weren't working in music and technology, what might you be doing?

I would probably do something in nature, like exploring things. Or collecting animals, haha.

Learn more about Polarity's work here:

polarity-dnb.de

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