Since we have started uploading our Circuit Bending Workshops this past week, I thought it fitting that I interview one of the artists often present at these events. Protman, known for throwing down lo-fi beats, gave me a few minutes of his time this week to talk about bending, Screamtracker, and his DJ Johnny Bot.

What is your main DAW, or sequencer used when recording/sequencing MIDI?

I've been using Screamtracker / Impulsetracker / Schismtracker since high school thanks to my friend Peter Stayne. I'm not really using any MIDI for sequencing, though I do use game controllers translated with puredata to perform fun midi functions for live performances.

Do you use any analog synths?

I would like to build my own very small pocketsized midi controlled analog modular monosynth whose sound I can dedicate myself to and make my own; Give it a pet-name. I've been through a Micromoog, a Memorymoog, and some others; belonging to friends or roommates, but I feel they're too much of a liability and cause of distress - the synths not the friends; some roommates though.

What about circuit bending?

...and ruin my perfectly good SK-1? That is morally reprehensible, though if DJ Johnny Bot doesn't start behaving, he is begging to be bent! Every week around my neighborhood a circuit bending workshop is hosted by my freind Dan Demchuck. I've recently purchased a battery powered soldering iron which works fabulously. My electrocabaret friend Right-Eye-Rita fixed my midi keyboard's mod wheel with it without complication. I intend to attend the workshop after my upcoming tornado-alley tour with WilliamSidesAtariParty, and perhaps spawn my analog pocketmonosynth.

What steps do you take from sound creation through actually recording your final product?

Tracking is similar to real-time composition. I pick some interesting sounds from my collection, usually inspired by a recent sampling session, goof around until something jibes, and roll with that. Sometimes it comes out good, sometimes it needs a little review. If I feel it has any redeeming quality I spam it to all my friends so they can tell me how awful it is. Sometimes I am more serious about a track. Sometimes there is even preconception. This is where the trouble begins. My friend Ipaghost and I host an event twice a month called the Iron Chef of Music.

There is also worldwide online participation over irc. Everyone involved gets two hours to create a new piece of sound or music out of the same source sample; pulling out percussive or melodic bits as need be and running with them. Before the deadline it must be mastered and uploaded, or else you will be ridiculed. We then have an exposition with friendly Q&A.

I am a big fan of using the Waves plug-ins for my final mastering session. What do you use on your final mixdown?

I don't believe one can go wrong with Arguru's Stardust Multi-band Compressor/Limiter. My demo copy of the L3 multi and ultra maximizers want me to put my dongle into the side of the computer to continue using them. It's kind of hard to type from that angle; otherwise, they're grreat! There is a saying though.. maxx-bass-lose-face. It all gets run through the big-muff anyway.