Welcome to a roundup of my professional and creative endeavours, from my music and video production to my writing, teaching and live performances. Working in the music technology industry has been tremendously rewarding. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities it has given me, the people I've worked with, and how every day I get to witness my own ever-deepening fascination with music, technology, art and creativity.

About:

My music production, gear and studio experience covers a few decades: from gaining a 1st Class Honours degree in Music Technology in 1996, to recently passing 50,000 subscribers on my gear-related YouTube channel. I worked for many years in music retail, advising customers on how to fit out their studios and demonstrating hardware and software solutions. In 2000, I led the creation of the Carillon Audio Systems AC-1, the first purpose-built audio computer for music production. Clients included Sir George Martin, David Arnold and Chuck Ainlay.

Over the next 20 years or so, I designed, built and installed bespoke audio computers for studios, artists and home users. During this time, I developed my skills as a writer, explorer and reviewer of hardware and software musical equipment. I took on roles such as synthesizer correspondent for Gearnews.com and became a regular reviewer and Studio One Workshop columnist for Sound On Sound magazine. Under my own banner of Molten Music Technology, my YouTube channel has grown and gained a reputation for authentic and enthusiastic explanations of music making, modular synthesis and production. In 2019, I went full-time into music technology journalism and content creation.

Outside work, I've produced a series of audio/visual events at Norwich Cathedral, offering an alternative electronic worship experience in an ancient space. Since 2023, I've curated the Synth East Synthesizer Expo in Norwich, along with Electronic Sound Magazine and Norwich Arts Centre. I perform with modular at my local EMOM (Electronic Music Open Mic) as often as I can and do regular livestream improvisations. For the last couple of years, I've appeared regularly on the SonicTalk weekly gear news livestream from SonicState.com. I also play guitar in a covers band and in church most Sundays.

As a writer and reviewer, I have a constant flow of new gear passing through my hands that needs a dynamic level of technical ability to comprehend, work with and write about. I've reviewed DAWs, software and hardware synthesizers, computer systems and touch interfaces, MIDI Controllers and control adaptations, audio interfaces and Eurorack modules. I've written articles covering synthesizer history, synthesis techniques, sound design and gear comparisons. My approach is always to open up a subject, machine or system to allow as many people as possible to enjoy it regardless of their technical ability.

However, my passion lies in bringing these marvellous machines and concepts to life through my YouTube channel and live events. Through the wonderful support of individuals through Patreon and industry manufacturers, I've been able to explore all sorts of concepts on my channel, including reviewing and demonstrating products, interviewing makers and artists, and sharing the joys and struggles of building DIY projects. In 2022, with the help of manufacturer Befaco, I was able to design and release my first Eurorack module . I've also been invited to teach synthesis to high-schoolers and run Eurorack modular seminars at Expos.

My hope going forward is that I'll be able to continue to build a resource of reviews, tutorials, performances and adventures in exploring all avenues of synthesizers, modular and music production. I hope to share some of the electronic fascination that genuinely captivates me so that viewers and readers can be inspired to untether their own creativity and explore the possibilities under their fingertips.

I live in the wilds of Norfolk with an amazing woman called Maria and three astonishing children. When I get the chance, I like to create meditative music, techno beats and electronic soundscapes in my shed. Sometimes I stream it to the world.

If you would like contact me regarding my work, book me for an event, send me something for review, invite me to perform or indulge in some other form or collaboration then I am always open to interesting projects. Please contact me through social media, the links above or email robin at moltenmusictechnology.com

Links to current activities:

Molten Music Technology Ltd - www.MoltenMusicTechnology.com

YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/@MoltenMusicTech

Molten Modular - www.MoltenModular.com

Patreon - www.Patreon.com

Sound On Sound - www.SoundOnSound.com

Perfect Circuit - www.PerfectCircuit.com

CareersInMusic - www.CareersInMusic.com

Surface Pro Audio - www.SurfaceProAudio.com

Molten Meditation - www.MoltenMeditation.com

Instagram - www.Instagram.com/robinv00/

Linked In Profile - uk.linkedin.com/in/molten/

Timeline:

2024: Released the Molten Bypass, my second Eurorack module.

2023 - present: Created the Synth East synthesizer expo annual event in Norwich with Electronic Sound Magazine and the Norwich Arts Centre.

2023 - present: Became a regular contributer to the Perfect Circuit "Signal" blog.

2022: Released the Molten Motion Meter, my first Eurorack module.

2018 - present: "Gear & Software" Contributor to CareersInMusic.com website.

2017 - present: Became a regular reviewer for Sound On Sound magazine and took on the role of PreSonus Studio One Workshop columnist. Reviews cover a wide range of gear including synthesizers, modular, music software, MIDI controllers and audio interfaces.

2016 - 2024: Synth correspondant for Gearnews.com. I was given the opportunity to immerse myself in the resurgence of hardware synthesizers and became acquainted with Eurorack modular synthesis.

2013 - present: Founded Molten Music Technology. This was initially to build music computers but soon diversified into writing articles and reviews for magazines and websites, and starting a YouTube channel covering music production advice and gear reviews.

2006 - 2013: Started up the UK arm of US company Rain Computers, building computers for music production.

2005 - 2006: Took a year out after getting married, to produce my first album of meditative electronic music based solely in software synthesis. Thank you Maria.

2000 - 2005: Technical Director of Carillon Audio Systems, the first PC designed for music production. Clients included Sir George Martin, David Arnold and Chuck Ainlay.

1996 - 2000: Computer Music Specialist at Turnkey Music Store, London. Selling all studio, audio and synthesizer equipment with particular expertise in early DAW and music production software. Published two books on computer music.

1996: 1st Class Honours Degree Musical Instrument Technology. Final project combined building a Baroque wooden flute, coupled with designing a pitch-to-MIDI interface to run a Korg M1 synthesizer, while writing a dissertation on modern English folk music.