Synth historian Oli Freke is investing in a quality bicycle.
Oli Freke is a musician and journalist known for his insightful explorations of music technology. His work includes analyzing the melodic possibilities of the Western 12-tone scale and delving into the world of effects plug-ins. He has also authored a book chronicling the evolution of synthesizers from 1963 to 1995, highlighting the transition from analog to digital and back again.
His latest endeavor is Beat Gems, a visually stunning coffee-table book that serves as a historical overview of drum machines. Like other titles in this series, Beat Gems is filled with beautiful imagery, intriguing historical insights, and practical tips for maximizing your gear, whether it’s a classic Roland TR-808 or a contemporary gem like Erica Synths’ Pērkons.
When it comes to setting up a new computer, the first app he installs is almost always Ableton Live. This powerful music software has an impressive feature set that still amazes him, especially when he reflects on starting his electronic music journey with an Atari ST 520 that could barely handle MIDI.
If he had to pick a social media platform, it would likely be YouTube. He appreciates the wealth of knowledge available, with experts breaking down complex ideas across various subjects, including science, math, chess, and, of course, electronic music. He does wish for fewer algorithm-driven clickbait distractions, which is why he doesn’t engage much with other social media.
As for gadgets, he finds vegetable choppers and cubers to be the most disappointing. They seem promising but rarely deliver on their promises of saving time and effort.
One of his fondest gaming memories is playing Elite on the Atari ST. It showcased incredible world-building within the constraints of its time, resulting in a truly creative experience.
As a musician, he dreams of having written a universally loved song, one that fans would request endlessly—until he eventually grew tired of it. Perhaps that wish has already come true in some form!
The best advice he ever received came from his father: “Say yes to any opportunity that comes your way—worry about whether you can do it or not later!”
Currently, he’s obsessed with drum machines. His research for Beat Gems has reignited his appreciation for rhythm’s central role in music and how drum machines have shaped musical culture over the past sixty years.
To focus, he tunes into a drum’n’bass set on a specific online radio station, which helps him concentrate and enjoy the process.
When feeling stuck, he reminds himself of the endless combinations of ideas available. He once wrote an article illustrating that there are 82 quintillion (82^18) possible 10-note melodies using the eight notes of the octave.
The last piece of physical media he purchased was the vinyl soundtrack for a film called Resynator, which tells the story of an obscure synth from the early ’80s and a daughter’s journey to learn about her father, the synth’s inventor, who passed away when she was a baby. He highly recommends it.
He believes splurging on a high-quality road bicycle is worth it. Compared to cars, bikes are relatively affordable, and you can find models close to professional quality at reasonable prices. The difference between a good bike and an average one is significant, and cycling through the countryside on a quality bike brings him immense joy.
If there were a tagline for his biopic, it might read: “Watch a man type words into a computer. For ages. Then watch him make music on a computer. Also for ages. Then watch him do some normal things involving a house, family, and car. Occasionally, he is turned away from boarding a plane to Berlin for the launch of his Kickstarter due to unexpected rule changes! Disappointingly, this doesn’t turn the biopic into a Falling Down-type scenario.”
As for the last GIF or meme he used, it’s a humorous take on synthesizers.
