Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini is one of the leading synthesists exploring the forefronts of technology combined with highly emotional and artistic expression. Based on his deep knowledge of electronic music history and his great expertise of synthesis technology he creates sonic worlds from mesmerizing ambient sounds, irresistible drones and hunting rhythms, to ecstatic and disturbing noise – all for the one goal of artistic expression. Be it on his solo projects like blindoldfreak, or be it in his role of keyboard player for Nine Inch Nails, Alessandro always finds new and exciting angles of sonic and musical expression.
Waldorf has a long relationship with Alessandro about exchanging ideas and sharing experiences of electronic music making and instrument design. We are proud to have Alessandro as one of the key user of the Quantum and Iridium instruments. His insights and sounds are invaluable and a great source of inspiration. It is for these types of sonic explorers and creative minds why we do what we do.
How did you start making music?
How did you start making music?
I grew up around music. My mother listened to lots of music while I was a child, and my father played guitar in the house. I picked up the guitar around 11 years old, thanks to him.
What was your first synth?
What was your first synth?
Casio PT-1
What is the first thing you do…
when approaching a new synth?
Usually it’s playing with the interface. It has to feel interesting and stimulate my curiosity, and hopefully lead to interesting and unexpected sonic results. That’s the recipe for a fruitful relationship with the machine, to me!
What inspires your music?
What inspires your music?
Feeling comfortable with myself , at peace, balanced. Those are the prerequisites for me to be able to create.
Nine inch nails
What is your favorite piece of gear…
What is your favorite piece of gear…
in your studio that is not a synth that you can’t do without?
in your studio that is not a synth that you can’t do without?
The studio itself. Having a properly designed and built room saves me time when coming up with ideas and keeps me excited to work on them. Next, the speakers. My current favorites are ElectroMotive Labs Model 3.
Using presets or patching your own sounds?
Using presets or patching your own sounds?
Both… anything that will trigger creativity.
What is your production process:
What is your production process:
in-the-box or played live?
in-the-box or played live?
Again, both. Though I would guess more on hardware, and go in the box mostly when I have no access to my studio.
At which time of day or night…
At which time of day or night…
would we meet you most often in your studio?
would we meet you most often in your studio?
In the morning between 8am and 1pm.
I love working in the morning, with a cup of coffee next to me.
How does your live set-up look like?
How does your live set-up look like?
It changes over time, but right now it’s based on two Make Noise Strega instruments, which I co-designed , controlled by their sequencers, 0-CTRL.
Which role do Waldorf synths play in your music?
Which role do Waldorf synths play in your music?
The Quantum (and subsequently the Iridium) has been the centerpiece of my studio since I purchased it. There’s always something new coming out when I sit in front of it. Its interface is the perfect balance of tactile and visual feedback, in my opinion, and it sounds fantastic.
VERDE by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO, out June 11, 2021
Listen/Pre-Order:
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
LO SPECCHIO by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO.
Listen/Pre-Order: https://mute.ffm.to/ac-sc
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
CHIAROSCURO by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO.
Listen/Pre-Order: https://mute.ffm.to/ac-sc
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
https://www.instagram.com/marcoc.ttt/
https://www.instagram.com/axel.scho/
Follow Alessandro:
Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini is one of the leading synthesists exploring the forefronts of technology combined with highly emotional and artistic expression. Based on his deep knowledge of electronic music history and his great expertise of synthesis technology he creates sonic worlds from mesmerizing ambient sounds, irresistible drones and hunting rhythms, to ecstatic and disturbing noise – all for the one goal of artistic expression. Be it on his solo projects like blindoldfreak, or be it in his role of keyboard player for Nine Inch Nails, Alessandro always finds new and exciting angles of sonic and musical expression.
Waldorf has a long relationship with Alessandro about exchanging ideas and sharing experiences of electronic music making and instrument design. We are proud to have Alessandro as one of the key user of the Quantum and Iridium instruments. His insights and sounds are invaluable and a great source of inspiration. It is for these types of sonic explorers and creative minds why we do what we do.
How did you start making music?
How did you start making music?
I grew up around music. My mother listened to lots of music while I was a child, and my father played guitar in the house. I picked up the guitar around 11 years old, thanks to him.
What was your first synth?
What was your first synth?
Casio PT-1
What is the first thing you do…
What is the first thing you do…
with it when approaching a new synth?
with it when approaching a new synth?
Usually it’s playing with the interface. It has to feel interesting and stimulate my curiosity, and hopefully lead to interesting and unexpected sonic results. That’s the recipe for a fruitful relationship with the machine, to me!
What inspires your music?
What inspires your music?
Feeling comfortable with myself , at peace, balanced. Those are the prerequisites for me to be able to create.
What is your favorite piece of gear…
What is your favorite piece of gear…
in your studio that is not a synth that you can’t do without?
in your studio that is not a synth that you can’t do without?
The studio itself. Having a properly designed and built room saves me time when coming up with ideas and keeps me excited to work on them. Next, the speakers. My current favorites are ElectroMotive Labs Model 3.
Using presets or patching your own sounds?
Both… anything that will trigger creativity.
What is your production process:
What is your production process:
in-the-box or played live?
in-the-box or played live?
Again, both. Though I would guess more on hardware, and go in the box mostly when I have no access to my studio.
At which time of day or night…
At which time of day or night…
would we meet you most often in your studio?
would we meet you most often in your studio?
In the morning between 8am and 1pm.
I love working in the morning, with a cup of coffee next to me.
How does your live set-up look like?
It changes over time, but right now it’s based on two Make Noise Strega instruments, which I co-designed , controlled by their sequencers, 0-CTRL.
Which role do Waldorf synths play in your music?
Which role do Waldorf synths play in your music?
The Quantum (and subsequently the Iridium) has been the centerpiece of my studio since I purchased it. There’s always something new coming out when I sit in front of it. Its interface is the perfect balance of tactile and visual feedback, in my opinion, and it sounds fantastic.
VERDE by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO, out June 11, 2021
Listen/Pre-Order:
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
LO SPECCHIO by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO.
Listen/Pre-Order: https://mute.ffm.to/ac-sc
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
CHIAROSCURO by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO.
Listen/Pre-Order: https://mute.ffm.to/ac-sc
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
Follow Alessandro:
Alessandro Cortini
Alessandro Cortini is one of the leading synthesists exploring the forefronts of technology combined with highly emotional and artistic expression. Based on his deep knowledge of electronic music history and his great expertise of synthesis technology he creates sonic worlds from mesmerizing ambient sounds, irresistible drones and hunting rhythms, to ecstatic and disturbing noise – all for the one goal of artistic expression. Be it on his solo projects like blindoldfreak, or be it in his role of keyboard player for Nine Inch Nails, Alessandro always finds new and exciting angles of sonic and musical expression.
Waldorf has a long relationship with Alessandro about exchanging ideas and sharing experiences of electronic music making and instrument design. We are proud to have Alessandro as one of the key user of the Quantum and Iridium instruments. His insights and sounds are invaluable and a great source of inspiration. It is for these types of sonic explorers and creative minds why we do what we do.
How did you start making music?
How did you start making music?
I grew up around music. My mother listened to lots of music while I was a child, and my father played guitar in the house. I picked up the guitar around 11 years old, thanks to him.
What was your first synth?
What was your first synth?
Casio PT-1
What is the first thing you do…
with it when approaching a new synth?
Usually it’s playing with the interface. It has to feel interesting and stimulate my curiosity, and hopefully lead to interesting and unexpected sonic results. That’s the recipe for a fruitful relationship with the machine, to me!
What inspires your music?
What inspires your music?
Feeling comfortable with myself , at peace, balanced. Those are the prerequisites for me to be able to create.
What is your favorite
piece of gear…
piece of gear…
in your studio that is not a synth that you can’t do without?
The studio itself. Having a properly designed and built room saves me time when coming up with ideas and keeps me excited to work on them. Next, the speakers. My current favorites are ElectroMotive Labs Model 3.
Using presets or patching
your own sounds?
your own sounds?
Both… anything that will trigger creativity.
What is your
production process:
production process:
in-the-box or played live?
Again, both. Though I would guess more on hardware, and go in the box mostly when I have no access to my studio.
At which time of
day or night…
day or night…
would we meet you most often in your studio?
In the morning between 8am and 1pm. I love working in the morning, with a cup of coffee next to me.
How does your live
set-up look like?
set-up look like?
It changes over time, but right now it’s based on two Make Noise Strega instruments, which I co-designed , controlled by their sequencers, 0-CTRL.
Which role do Waldorf synths
play in your music?
play in your music?
The Quantum (and subsequently the Iridium) has been the centerpiece of my studio since I purchased it. There’s always something new coming out when I sit in front of it. Its interface is the perfect balance of tactile and visual feedback, in my opinion, and it sounds fantastic.
VERDE by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO, out June 11, 2021
Listen/Pre-Order:
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
LO SPECCHIO by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO.
Listen/Pre-Order: https://mute.ffm.to/ac-sc
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
CHIAROSCURO by Alessandro Cortini Taken from the forthcoming release, SCURO CHIARO.
Listen/Pre-Order: https://mute.ffm.to/ac-sc
Directed by Marco Ciceri CGI by Marco Ciceri and Axel Schoterman
