From Sequencers to Synths: The Evolution of MODUL

Hailing from the heart of North West England, Anthony Binding-better known as MODUL-has carved out a unique space in electronic music. From experimenting with sequencer software in the early 2000s to building an intricate setup of synths and drum machines, his journey is one of relentless creativity and technical mastery. Drawing inspiration from Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and even jazz legends like Miles Davis, MODUL blends intricate sound design with raw, immersive energy. With recent features on BBC Introducing and a growing reputation for his live electronic sets, he’s proving that the underground electronic scene is alive and thriving.

1. Your journey through various towns in the North West seems to have shaped your musical path. How have these places influenced your sound and approach to music production?

Most of the places i've lived in the Northwest are pretty rural, so there's lots of nature, but also some quirky venues playing some amazing music. In Todmorden you'd have a lot of hippy/folk type music whereas when I moved over to Burnley i'd frequent the local rock bar where they'd have heavy metal bands playing most weekends. 

When I lived in Darwen there was an amazing little pub called 'Number 39' where they would always have some really weird and wonderful band playing live or DJing electronic music etc. All these places have definitely had an effect on the mood/style of my sound as I feel like it sometimes is very heavy and in your face and can be really ambient too which makes me reminisce about strolling the beautiful hills in and around Todmorden when I grew up. 

But with every track there's always something that influences me in the creative process from growing up in such green spaces.

2. You started experimenting with sequencer software in the early 2000s and have since evolved your setup significantly. How has your creative process changed with the shift in technology and equipment?

When I started making music it was on 'Dance eJay' which is a sequencer that basically hands you samples on a plate for you to arrange in your own way, I then moved onto 'Propellerheads Reason 2.0' which was a lot more advanced in the way you could build a track from scratch using the in-built sequencer/synth/sampler/effects units, it was revolutionary for me really as I saw it as a completely blank canvas for me to paint musical notes on and tweak the synth settings. 

I then started using Cakewalk SONAR and moved onto Cubase, Cubase was an excellent sequencer as you could 're-wire' Reason into Cubase kind of like a VST instrument and record what you want into a stereo channel which you could then EQ, add effects/dynamics add more audio tracks then bounce down to a .WAV file.

I used Cubase all the way up until I could afford a proper hardware synth (when I was around 18) and it was the Access Virus TI, I then got the bug (unfortunately for my bank account) and was purchasing loads more hardware equipment such as the Nord Modular G2, Nord Rack 2, Elektron Machinedrum UW mkII, Elektron Monomachine mkII and a DBX compressor and Lexicon MX200 Reverb unit. All this kit was amazing but life got in the way and had to sell most of it. 

Now feeling a lot more settled and content in life I have built my studio back up again. In terms of hardware I have an Elektron Digitone 2, Elektron Analog Four mkII and ASM Hydrasynth. I use Ableton Live 12 Suite as a sequencer, I couldn't be happier with this combination of hardware and software as everything just works so perfectly with each other. I'm able to create pretty much full tracks without turning the laptop on, I'll then record each individual track of the hardware into Ableton and then sequence it with the techniques I've learnt through growing up with the likes of Cubase etc.

3. Your influences range from Autechre and Aphex Twin to Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. How do jazz and electronic music intersect in your work, and what elements do you take from each?

I've always been so inspired by the likes of Autechre and Aphex Twin's music as they are both so unique and can hear all the little nuances/detail they put into their work. It just shows how much they love their craft, I think it's very similar to jazz music in a way because you can hear the love, dedication and detail in every single piece. 

I feel that I connect with this ethos so much as when I create music I always want to focus on the finer detail only I know about. Something so small like a random high-passed ratchet sound in the middle of a tune I get so much joy from! Also the sense of freedom that comes from electronic music and jazz I think really resonates with me and my process of creation. 

4. You’ve received high praise from BBC Introducing and have played live electronic sets over the years. What’s your perspective on performing electronic music live, and how do you translate your productions into a live setting?

Yeah through the latter part of 2024 I felt confident enough in my 'new sound' that I sent a piece to BBC Introducing, I then received an email saying they had played my track on the radio ...I was in shock and disbelief! The presenter was saying how much he liked the uniqueness of it etc. I then sent 2 tracks every 30 days (which is what they limit it to) and was being played pretty much every week which REALLY boosted my confidence. 

In regards to playing live, I played around 17 years ago in a couple different places numerous times such as the aforementioned rock bar in Burnley and a night club in Halifax which I forget the name of. Now with my new setup, If the opportunity presented itself I would love to play live again. In terms of building the set I'd most likely use the sequencers in the Digitone 2 and Analog Four to create various patterns (from previous tracks and new creations) I could switch to on the fly and then set up some performance type macros to play live so I don't mess it up. But yeah I get a real buzz from playing live and it would be awesome.

5. With a refined setup and a clear artistic vision, what can we expect next from MODUL? Any upcoming releases or projects you’re particularly excited about?

I currently have an album on Bandcamp called 'Pyramids' that's due to be released by 'NOIDED' physically on CD on the 7th March which I'm excited about. In the near future there will also be some new collaboration tracks being made (under the guise of 'Axon') with fellow collaborator 'Traumm'. Also I'm working on a new album at the moment which is going to be more of an ambient vibe but a lot more focused on the initial sound design aspect where every sound will have a lot of process and modulation.