If you've been into electronic music for a while, Modeselektor will need no introduction. For almost thirty years now, the Berlin-based duo of Szary and Gernot has been performing and producing its own  unmistakable brand of fun, weird and irreverent electronic music without ever being scared of venturing into new musical paths.

Hot off their recent mix CD for DJ Kicks, we reached out to Modeselektor and asked them a few questions about their creative process in the studio, their favourite tools, their approach to collaborations, and the first piece of gear they ever bought.

Below you’ll find an English translation of Gernot and Szary’s answers, as well as the original German answers in italics below.

Stromkult: How has your creative process evolved from your early days to your current work?

Modeselektor: The main difference to the early days is the possibility of having total recall and the near infinite availability of software solutions. Our first recordings of tracks and takes were still done with cassette tape; in multiple versions, until it felt right.

Der Hauptunterschied zu den “early days" ist die Möglichkeit von "total recall" und die fast unendliche Verfügbarkeit von Softwarelösungen. Die allerersten Recording Takes/Tracks wurden noch auf Cassette Tape aufgenommen, mehrere Versionen. Bis es vom Gefühl her gesessen hat.

Do you have a specific workflow in the studio, or is it more spontaneous and chaotic?

It’s all of those together. It starts for a short period of time, then it becomes chaotic. Then one has to bring back a bit of order, but not too much, otherwise things become too smooth and boring.

Es ist alles zusammen. Es startet für kurze Zeit, dann wird es chaotisch. Man muss sich dann wieder etwas Ordnung reinbringen, aber nicht zu viel. Sonst wird's zu glatt und dröge. 

How do you typically start a track?

It’s very different [depending on the situation]. Most of the time, it is trial and error. But it also happens that one wakes up with an idea. Those, one should always sketch out quickly. Then the idea often lies around for a while, waiting for the moment of its birth. Often it’s the drum sketches that determine the first “pilot track”. But things can also go very differently.

Das ist komplett unterschiedlich, meistens Trial & Error. Es kommt aber auch vor, dass man aufwacht mit einer Idee. Diese sollte man schnell skizzieren. Oft bleibt sie dann liegen. Und wartet auf den richtigen Moment der Geburt. Oft sind es Drum-Skizzen, die den ersten „Pilot Track“ bestimmen. Aber es kann komplett unterschiedlich sein.

How do you split responsibilities in the studio — do you each have specific roles?

Gernot: Mono; Szarzy: Stereo. Or the other way around.

What was the first piece of hardware you bought?

It was a Roland TR-808, bought in 1993.

What piece of gear has been most essential to your sound over the years?

The Korg MS-10, bought in 1994.

What would be your "desert-island" synth or drum machine?

It may sound boring, but: the Ableton Note app, good headphones. And a solar power bank for endless power. Well, let’s also pack a small mono synth.

Ja, klingt vielleicht langweilig: Ableton Note, gute Headphones. Und ein Solar-Powerpack für endlose Energie. Na gut, nehmen wir noch einen kleinen monophonen Synth mit.

Are there any machines you always keep returning to?

Yes, above all the Roland drum machine like the TR-808 that we mentioned above. They just sit in the mix, they sound “real”. What is important for us is to not use them in a way that is too “standard”, to explore all of their possibilities.

Ja, es gibt diese oben genannten Drummachines, meistens von Roland. Diese sitzen einfach im Mix. Wir denken dann: „Das klingt echt.” Wichtig für uns ist, man sollte diese nicht standardmäßig benutzen. Die Möglichkeiten ausschöpfen. 

What’s the most unusual piece of gear or sample you’ve ever used on a track?

A difficult question [for us]: we think that every instrument or sample has its right [to be in a song]. It’s a matter of how to place them.

Das ist eine schwierige Frage: Jedes Instrument oder Sample hat eine Berechtigung, es ist eine Frage der Platzierung. 

What is your current favourite plugin?

Always great [again] is Razor by Errorsmith … a very powerful synth. There are many plugins and Max For Live devices that seem to sweeten one’s life. Sometimes it’s the easy solutions for modulation or routing that are essential. Otherwise, one can be genuinely overwhelmed with the amount of possibilities.

Immer wieder gut, Razor von Errorsmith … powerful Synth. Es gibt eine Menge Plug-ins und Max For Live Devices, die einem scheinbar das Leben versüßen. Manchmal sind einfache Lösungen für Modulationen oder Routing sehr essentiell. Ansonsten ist man schon echt überfordert mit der Auswahl an Möglichkeiten. 

If one of your synths had a "personality", which one would be the biggest diva in the studio?

Currently, the most important “personality” [in our studio] is the Super 6 by UDO Audio … it’s a great synth with many more possibilities than one might think. Apart from that, the TR-808 is the “sexiest” drum machine.

Die momentan interessanteste Personality hat der UDO Super 6 .. ein sehr guter Synth mit mehr Möglichkeiten, als man denkt. Ansonsten ist die TR-808 die “sexiest” Drum-Machine. 

Would you consider yourselves to be gear collectors or gear minimalists?

We would see ourselves more on the “collector” end of things.

Wir würden uns eher als Sammler bezeichnen.

How important is the club/festival context for you when producing music? 

One one hand, the world of clubs and festivals is still inspiring; but it can also be tiring. It may sound trite, but: things often repeat.

Auf der einen Seite ist die Club/Festival-Welt immer noch inspirierend, aber auch manchmal ermüdend. Das klingt vielleicht auch blöd, aber vieles wiederholt sich. 

You've supported many younger artists through Monkeytown Records — what do you look for when signing someone?

It should be authentic, both in terms of the music and the personality … especially the idea behind the project … many artists are too concerned with fitting in and conforming.

Es sollte alles authentisch sein, Musik und Personality .. allem voran die Idee dahinter .. viele Künstler*innen passen sich zu sehr an. 

Are there any artists you haven’t worked with yet but would love to?

We often try to avoid this question; in the end, it is also a matter of a certain dedication and willingness to “let it be”, since it’s not just the technical and creative aspects. There is a certain soul and personality behind everything.

Wir versuchen oft diese Frage zu vermeiden, letztendlich ist es auch eine gewisse Hingabe und das „sich Einlassen“ . Es ist ja nicht nur der technische und kreative Aspekt. Hinter allem steckt auch eine Seele und Personalität.

Image Credit: Tristan Siefert

You can find Modeselektor's socials and upcoming tour dates over on their website.