Chiasm's Emileigh Rohn started her band as a creative outlet while in graduate school and has released four CDs (and one download only recording). Her music is electronic, vaguely calls to mind industrial (in the old sense of the term) and definitely has a dark sensibility.

When you press Rohn to define her music she resists with energy.

"I'd have to say it just sounds like me, a mosaic of me. It's electronic, and I put my vocals on it, but I don't write with the intention of sounding like anything in particular," says Rohn "I just combine sounds and feelings, and when something appeals to me, I use it. My music tends to have several layers and I just keep adding what feels right until I decide it's done."

In other words you are going to have to listen and figure it out for yourself. But when you ask her if there is any piece of gear she doesn't have but wants she is a little more direct.

"I'm thinking of purchasing a Roland VS2400-CD digital multitrack recorder, simply to expand the amount of tracks I can record to as well as move away from the zip disc technology I'm currently using." says Rohn.

The VS2400-CD descends from Roland's VS-2480-CD. It uses analog components, VGA output, motorized faders and mouse-based software control. There are, however, new additions like RSS 3-D panning and V-LINK for integrating Edirol video products. It also costs more than my car--about $1900 (yes I drive a beater).

We also asked Rohn what synths she uses, In addition to the Korg Prophecy she discussed in an earlier Gearwire article.

"My first pro keyboard was a Korg Trinity and I still love it, the sequencer is easy to use and it has that nice touch-screen," says Rohn. "Other than that, it's mostly Roland, Novation, EMU, and Alesis rack-mounted sound modules. They're all easily manipulated and tend to play well together."

These days, with the rapid movement of technology, and the easy availability of loop libraries, many electronic musicians take the lazy route. They get their sounds "off the rack." Rohn doesn't.

"I've been spotted many times running around frantically throwing random objects while holding a mic and a portable mini disc recorder. So yes, I create acoustic sounds from scratch and use them liberally. I've also been known to sample profound statements and use them when they feel applicable," says Rohn. "Sometimes if I've made some neat sounds on the Prophecy I'll sample it to re-insert in extra tracks since it's monophonic. I usually chop and add effects to sounds before they reach the sampler, but the ESI does allow some internal manipulation as well. I do not sample existing music or use loop libraries, that's no fun to me."

Rohn is currently finishing up a new Chiasm full-length that will be released soon on COP International.

"I already have tracks for the following album in mind," says Rohn. "And then hopefully I'll write another album, and another one, and another one... "