RA Exchange EX.786 Barker
Dec 17, 2025
Sam Barker, producer, DJ, and co-founder of the Leisure System label, dives into the exploration of human timing in electronic music. He discusses his innovative album, Stochastic Drift, and the creative process behind his collaboration with saxophonist Bendik Giske. Barker shares insights on balancing technology with human elements, the evolution of the Berlin music scene, and the optimistic potential of AI in music. He also muses on new live performance formats and the future of Leisure System, all while reflecting on the importance of collaborations in his creative journey.
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Sax Triggers Electronics
- Sam Barker describes building a Hall-sensor rig to convert Bendik Giske's sax fingering into MIDI triggers for live electronics.
- The system makes the sax the rhythmic source so the electronics follow human timing and stop when he stops playing.
Human Timing Over Machine Grids
- Barker flips the usual hierarchy so machines follow human temporal nuance rather than humans matching mechanical grids.
- This reveals subtle human timing (rushes and ebbs) as musically valuable, not errors to fix.
One-Finger Serialism Experiment
- Barker recounts designing a one-finger automated piano using printer-head mechanics to explore serialism sonically.
- He programmed a generative sequence to treat 12 tones equally while seeking harmonious results across octaves.