Transistor6, a duo from Copenhagen, Denmark produce heavy, flowing synthlines with a cinematic feel. They combine dreamy textures with harsh distorted sounds and pounding beats.

"You can call it a blend between darkness, trip-hop and pop," says Claus Collstrup. "Our main focus is to create sound that creates images in the mind of the listener. We want to be able to create moods and feelings with our music."

Collstrup handles the music and machines while Kira Li handles lyrics and vocals. The band is all about software synths.

"Everything is done in Logic on a Mac, so I rely heavily on software synths. The number one piece of gear that I use is the Spectrasonics Atmosphere synth. It has those sounds that we use a lot to create mood. The sounds are great and can be altered in so many ways that you can never finish using the synth," says Collstrup. "The synth also has some good string sounds which I use a lot to get the cinematic feel. The Spectrasonics Stylus RMX is used for beats, where I cut and paste until everything sounds like I want. I am looking forward to the Omnisphere synth coming from Spectrasonics soon. That looks very promising to say the least. Another synth that I use a lot is [Rob Papen] Albino. What I don’t find in Atmosphere I can find in Albino."

On occasion Collstrup reaches for other sound sources.

"Sometimes I reach for the old sample discs if there is a need for some special sound, for example a drum that sounds a particular way," he says. "Or it could be sounds recorded like a screaming man or a bird. I use my old Laserdisc player to sample stuff from movies."

It wasn't always all about software synths for Collstrup. There was a time when he used instruments. Sometimes he even misses them.

"I used to have some real instruments. But I sold them and went all digital / software. I still miss the Novation Bass Station and the Nord Lead which had the real analogue sound which I now get more or less from the Albino and Atmosphere synths.," says Collstrup. "The Roland JV-1080 was also a great synth that I used for my earlier work."

When it comes to a wish-list of gear Collstrup mentions the Access Virus because of its distinctive and powerful sounds.

"Besides that, it looks sexy with the wooden panels on the sides. If I could have one piece of non-digital gear that would be it," says Collstrup. "I might get it, but it’s quite expensive. Maybe if they did a software version of it."

When the band records they alternate between going into Delta Lab Studio in Copenhagen to record vocals. They are currently doing some music work.

"One of the funnier things we have in the pipeline is a soundtrack for a goth porn movie. I guess it will be something with a heavy bass drum," he says. "We are currently looking for a label, but it is a tough time out there since most people just download the tracks they need from Russian pirating sites, so all the smaller labels are struggling. I still like to open a sleeve and look at a booklet while listening to the music. Call me old fashioned but I think that the visual aspect of a CD is almost as important as the music."