Byron The Aquarius shows how to get more funk out of your synth

Published on Feb 13, 2018 FACTmagazine

"Funkadelic keys in a flash.

Byron The Aquarius is a master of Roland’s classic Juno-106 synth, as he proved on his recent Against The Clock episode. After he finished the challenge, we asked him for his tips on using the instrument – specifically how he gets his keys sounding so funky.

The solution to getting Funkadelic-style sounds with any synth – not just the Juno-106 – as Byron explains, is a lot easier than you might think. See how he does it above and revisit his Against the Clock here."

Joe Hertz - Access Virus TI2 Synth - Gear Guide

Published on Jan 23, 2018 FACTmagazine

"A must-have synth according to the Brixton producer.

Late last year, electronic R&B rising star Joe Hertz treated us to an excellent Against The Clock at his South London studio. But, we wondered at the time, what's the deal with the Virus TI2 bit of hardware by Access he used during that session?

We asked Joe to give us rundown of that most treasured instrument, explaining to us why the Virus TI2 is one of the most unique synths on the market.

In the video, Joe breaks down its key features and demonstrates how easy, versatile and user-friendly it is. One word: want."

Ferro - In The Studio

Published on Jan 2, 2018 FACTmagazine

"An analog den.

Jasper Verrijzer is an Amsterdam club scene mainstay. Working as a resident DJ and A&R for go-to imprint VBX Records, while producing house and techno as Ferro for the past three years, he's certainly tuned into the city's dance music frequencies.

After filming his impressive session for Against The Clock in November, we took a tour of Verrijzer's industrious studio space, which is located right in the centre of Amsterdam. Step inside his vintage synth and drum machine-packed utopia."

This one in via Brian Comnes.

De Sluwe Vos - In The Studio

Published on Nov 28, 2017 FACTmagazine

"Vintage synths, classic drum machines and a seriously impressive modular system.

Known for releases on labels such as DJ Haus’ Unknown to the Unknown, 4 Lux, Soulfood and Patron Records, De Sluwe Vos has made a significant impact on the Amsterdam house and techno scene over the past few years. His spacious studio is located on the city's outskirts, in a newly refurbished building also used by a number of producers from Amsterdam's thriving house and techno scene.

When we visited De Sluwe Vos to film his recent Against The Clock, we took the time to check out his space in closer detail, where he explained his production process, his obsession with the Roland TR-909 drum machine and how he uses his impressive modular set up as an 'idea machine'."

Against The Clock Lab w/ AMyn, Colin Benders, & Sjamsoedin

AMyn - Against The Clock Lab Published on Oct 25, 2017

"Last weekend, we took Against The Clock to Amsterdam Dance Event’s Sound Lab and the results were spectacular. During the event, we had three artists create a track completely from scratch in front of an audience.

First up, Belgian producer AMyn steps up to the plate and creates a soulful hip-hop instrumental."

Colin Benders - Against The Clock Lab

Published on Oct 25, 2017 FACTmagazine

"A modular synth maestro.

After AMyn’s soulful session, modular synth wizard Colin Benders showed us his impressive setup, creating a powerful performance with a wall of modular synth gear."

Sjamsoedin - Against The Clock Lab

Published on Oct 25, 2017 FACTmagazine

"After two great sessions from Colin Benders and AMyn, Dutch producer Sjamsoedin takes the spotlight.

During his 10 minutes, Sjamsoedin creates an experimental jam using an MPC, a vintage synth and a small modular rig."

Steffi - In The Studio

Published on Oct 24, 2017 FACTmagazine

Follow-up to her Against the Clock performance here.

"Steffi shows us her slick studio full of unusual vintage gear

Dutch techno icon Steffi made her massive Against The Clock session look easy, effortlessly gliding from synth to synth in her compact studio to create a tightly-wound electro track in just 10 minutes.

After the time was up, the Ostgut Ton regular and Panorama Bar resident talked us through what she did and how she did it, giving us a guided tour of her enviable gear collection at the same time.

Steffi’s got all the classics you’d expect in her studio – a TR-808 drum machine, a Minimoog for basslines – but also a few unusual items, like the Waldorf synth she uses for string sounds and a Sequentix Cirklon sequencer. Check it out above and watch her go Against The Clock."

Steffi - Against The Clock

Published on Oct 12, 2017 FACTmagazine

Some nice synth spotting in this one. Sequentix P3 sequencer appears to the brain.

"The Dutch house and techno explorer creates an intense track in 10 minutes.

Steffi keeps busy. Since moving to Berlin in 2007, the Dutch-born producer has – deep breath now – released three sublime solo albums on Ostgut Ton, founded not one but two successful labels, promoted hundreds of underground parties and kept the city's iconic Panorama Bar booming as one of its resident DJs.

With her most recent album World of the Waking State continuing to make waves a month after its release, we added another item to her already-frantic to-do list – our Against The Clock challenge. Crafting a beat in 10 minutes using a seriously enviable array of gear, the cult hero didn't disappoint. Watch above."

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Posthuman - Against The Clock

FACTmagazine
Published on Aug 16, 2017

"This is acid.

London duo Posthuman were at the forefront of the 303 revival long before it was fashionable. They’ve been making acid techno since 2001 and run a record label, radio show and club night called I Love Acid, which turned 10 this year.

Posthuman’s Josh Doherty rose to Against The Clock’s 10-minute challenge at his studio in London, where he created a thumping bassline using his Bass Bot 303 clone, Roland 707 and Fruity Loops in his signature acid style."

Awanto 3 - Against The Clock

Published on Jun 21, 2017 FACTmagazine

Constructing a track with an Akai MPC 2000 XL. It's interesting seeing it all come together in the end.

"Steven van Hulle aka Awanto 3 is an integral part of Amsterdam's music scene. He's a regular on the city's Rush Hour and Dekmantel labels, using his background in hip-hop, soul and disco to craft sun-drenched house music.

Following the release of his second album, Gargamel, we visited the producer at his studio in Amsterdam to see what he could make in 10 minutes. As we discovered, he's an MPC wizard, using it to sample vinyl, synths and even his own voice."

Lady Starlight - Against The Clock

Published on Jun 7, 2017 FACTmagazine

"Techno in 10 minutes from one of Berlin's rising stars.

Lady Starlight's journey has been anything but ordinary. Formerly a tour DJ for Lady Gaga, Starlight found herself meeting UK techno veteran Surgeon after a show in his hometown of Birmingham and the pair have been collaborating ever since, regularly appearing at clubs and festivals across Europe.

Last month, she released her debut solo EP on respected techno label Stroboscopic Artefacts. Spanning four tracks of relentless 4/4, it got us eager to see what kind of music the producer could make with just 10 minutes in the studio and her formidable collection of gear."

Throwing Shade - Against The Clock

Published on Apr 13, 2017 FACTmagazine

"Kaleidoscopic sounds from an NTS favorite.

Throwing Shade's regular show on NTS Radio is one of the London station's best, offering an eclectic selection of weird and wonderful music from around the world.

Her own music is just as colorful. Last year's House of Silk EP, released on UK institution Ninja Tune, was a kaleidoscopic trip through glittering melodies and neon synth moods.

We met up with Throwing Shade in her West London studio, where we set her the challenge of making one of her signature pop tracks in just 10 minutes.

http://www.factmag.com/2017/04/13/thr..."

Ikonika - Against The Clock

Published on Apr 22, 2014 FACTmagazine

With the Moog Little Phatty.

"Against the Clock is a series on FACT TV where we give an artist 10 minutes in the studio and see what they come up with.

In the latest episode, we set the challenge to Ikonika. A steady stream of music since 2008 has made Ikonika one of UK dance music's most interesting acts - equally influenced by Streets of Rage and Rich Harrison, and peppering club forms from electronica to techno with her trademark synthlines and drum fills. She's released two albums, 2010's Contact Want Love Have and 2013's Aerotropolis, and this year will be celebrating the 10th birthday of her regular label Hyperdub.

Filmed by Luis Muñoz, Pawel Ptak & Kamil Dymek."

FACT TV: Against The Clock - Luke Abbott

Published on Jun 18, 2014 FACTmagazine·299 videos

"Against the Clock is a series on FACT TV where we give an artist 10 minutes in the studio and see what they come up with.

Taking the challenge this week, Luke Abbott. After cutting his teeth on Trevor Jackson's Output label in the mid-'00s, Abbott found a home on James Holden's Border Community, sharing Holden's love of emotive, ecstatic dance music and releasing two albums on the label, Holkham Drones and Wysing Forest. Abbott also has one hell of a live set-up, as he demonstrated to FACT TV when touching down in London for a pair of recent live shows.

Filmed by Luis Muñoz and Pawel Ptak.

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