Alchemical by MSTRBLSTR

Also on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/68lqZLDB2ip4ZOfEg4SsmB?si=m3ba1VD-SSO_CLr4j7OIMg

"The electricity of live manipulation breathes through every sequence as MSTRBLSTR transmutes the raw essence of the TR-606, MC-202, and TB-303 into a sonic incantation. Alchemical is transformation in motion: analog breakbeats pulse with crackling percussion, acid squelches growl and evolve, and rhythms dissolve and reassemble like matter through fire. The bassline becomes the bedrock of energy, conjured live in real time.

Credits
Released May 29, 2025
Programmed, performed, mixed, and mastered by MSTRBLSTR at Ill Acid
Additional drum programming: Severed Machines (https://severedmachines.com)

Hardware:

Modified Roland TR-606 (Robin Whittle mods)

Din Sync RE-303

MC-202 w/ Tubbutec 2oh2 mod

Mixers: Boss BX-8, Alice 1228, Boss KM-4

FX: Tapco 4400 spring reverb, TC Nova Reverb & Delay, Korg SDD-1000/1200

Compression: BSS DPR-402, DOD SR-866

DAW: Ableton Live

This is the same setup I used on From Deep.

Backstory
I brought my TR-606 to Ramiro at Severed Machines to install a few long-desired mods: switch replacements, a louder BD via resistor change, and Robin Whittle’s Accent Trigger and post-volume individual outs. He left in a few patterns, including a breakbeat variation that really hit me. That inspired the synth parts. Next thing I knew, I was performing and recording the full track.

Recording Notes
I treat mixers as modular routers. For Alchemical, the Alice mixer’s direct outs went straight into my interface, while the Boss BX-8 worked as a submixer for overdrive and tone shaping. I panned certain tracks hard L/R into separate buses, then re-centered them on different mixer channels. I have owned many delays while the Korg units are among my favorites, the TC Nova is often a go-to for synths: it sounds great, has nice filters, tap tempo, and my favorite feature, easily accessible time divisions Protip: a buffered pedal in front helps them sound better. The Nova reverb is also very playable and has a dynamic ducking mode that helps it get out of the way, if that's what I need.

In post, I swapped the TR-606 kick for a TR-808 sample in Ableton - it just gave the track the weight it needed. There’s also a lone TR-808 clap halfway through. Other than that, what you hear is live with only some minor edits and additional processing.

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For TR-606 lovers: I highly recommend Robin Whittle’s mods: https://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/tr-606/

The Accent Trigger mod alone is worth it - it adds great performance potential. Robin credited the fix to me, but Ramiro deserves most of the credit. Robin's individual outs (post-volume pot) offer superior performance control and gain staging flexibility compared to the more common pre-pot version."