hanging out with audiophiles

HOWA EP 122 - ROBERT HENKE

Apr 18, 2024

Interview with Robert Henke, co-developer of Ableton Live, exploring his real artist focus on current obsessions like working with the commodore PET platform, dislike of machine reverb, love for PPG wave and Synclavier, and his unique sound and light shows. Discusses collaborative record creation, Berlin excitement, sound generation techniques, childhood dreams of art and engineering, Sicavio synthesizer, vintage samplers, and the evolution of a musical friendship leading to software development. Delves into AI programming challenges, role in music creation, transitioning to art installations, and reflections on travel and art.

01:33:29

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Episode guests

Robert Henke

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Quick takeaways

Robert Henke values constraints in music creation, focusing on limited technology for artistic exploration.

Henke emphasizes user feedback in shaping Ableton Live's evolution, discussing the impact of AI on music creation.

The podcast explores prompt-based music creation processes and the intersection of AI and human input in defining music genres.

Deep dives

Robert Henker: Pioneering Sound Engineering and Music Production

Robert Henker, co-developer of Ableton Live, shares insights into his revolutionary work in sound engineering and music production. Henker's journey from Munich to Berlin led to creative collaborations that shaped the music community. His emphasis on limited technology driving artistic exploration highlights the value of constraints in fostering creativity.

The Evolution of AI in Music Creation

02:00

Introduction

3min

Collaborative Record Creation and Berlin Excitement

6min

Experience with Acquiring and Repairing an Old FM System

2min

Exploring Sound Generation Through Unique Approaches

16min

Art, Engineering, and Childhood Dreams

4min

Exploring the Sicavio Synthesizer and Vintage Samplers

16min

Evolution of a Musical Friendship

12min

Exploring AI for Real-time Programming Challenges

2min

Exploring the Role of AI in Music Creation

19min

10.

Transitioning from Music to Art: Challenges and Creativity

11min

11.

Reflecting on Travel, Art, and Packing Woes

2min

were you the co-developer of ableton live?

ah no

but Mr Henke

very much was.

Think about that for a minute.

It’s easy to forget as he’ll never bring it up without being prompted.

He’s not big on the dwelling and far more interested in his current obsessions.

Special interests (SPINS) as they are called are the things driving the REAL artists of which Robert is most certainly one.

I had one “job” interviewing him at this time. We were supposed to talk about the re-release of a classic monolake (Robert’s musical moniker) LP “Hong Kong” on Field Records.

There was a hint of that here. It loomed in the fog over the hills as we, the ramblers, became fascinated by objects more close at hand.

His tremendous work with the commodore PET platform as a primitive yet potent synth and drum machine for example.

His encounters with the art world (which he is not fond of)

his dislike of the infernal machine reverb ! ha. (also not fond it seems)

His connection to the tonal land of the PPG wave and the Synclavier (yes, he’s fond)

ah yes

I loved reconnecting with him after all these years.

He was always a brilliantly bright mind and continues to probe his passions to deliver wildly unique sound and light shows that stand apart from his peers.

oh and dont forget he’s the co-developer of ableton live!

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hanging out with audiophiles

HOWA EP 122 - ROBERT HENKE

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Robert Henker: Pioneering Sound Engineering and Music Production

Exploring the Beauty of Limited Technology in Music Creation

Reflecting on the Evolution of Ableton Live and Music Creation

The Evolution of Music Creation

Balancing Creativity and Technology in Music Production

The Evolution of AI in Music Creation

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts