Matt Ward

What did you do before joining dBs?

"Before joining dBs I was active in a number of different roles in the music industry. As a DJ, I performed around the world, alongside holding down lengthy residencies in the UK under the pseudonym Matt Vinyl. I spent a lot of time working in radio where I hosted a Saturday night show on GWR in the UK and superradio.com in New York. Other projects include managing a recording studio, running an independent record label (Pinkpenny Records), producing and releasing my own music and teaching Sound Engineering and Music Production for over 19 years."

Why did you first get into electronic music production?

"The main catalyst for getting into electronic music was hearing Sasha play at an event called Universe during the second summer of love in the UK. Following that, a friend introduced me to some classic production tools like the Atari ST, Juno 106, EMU sampler and EMU sound modules. I started producing and continually upgrading my systems over the years, as technology advanced. I also surrounded myself with like-minded local artists like Julian Cox, Andy Compton, DJ Worm, Ribbzy, Scorpio, Ben & Mike McGowan, and Iain McKenzie. They inspired me then and still do now."

Any special areas of interest?

"I’m obsessed with sound, particularly modular synthesis and performance technology. I create bespoke production/performance devices with my colleague Chris Pratt as Kinesotronic and perform live improvised techno under the pseudonym Sonorous Bosch."

What do you love most about what you do?

"Living and breathing music technology with like minded musicians, producers, programmers, DJs and educators that are passionate about the subject. The more you explore, the deeper the rabbit hole goes.

"I love seeing students develop their learning, embracing the industry, achieving their goals and making waves through the scene, one beat at a time. That's what it’s all about! I work with nearly all of my students in some capacity after they finish studying with us. Being a part of that is amazing."

Tell us about your proudest career moment.

"There have been some great highlights over the years but the one that really stands out is Glastonbury 2008. I performed a headline set for Arcadia in Trash City. This set was a bit mad to say the least. There were 10,000 people, 360 degree sound and singed hair every time the pyrotechnics were activated! Needless to say the gig went off, as did the eyebrows!"

What do you get up to outside of teaching?

"Outside of my role at dBs, I’m one of the founding members of the Modular Research Group.  I also do product testing for Eurorack manufacturers Stochastic Instruments, WMD, Fully Wired, Tubbutec and Omsonic. I still play regularly at clubs and festivals in the UK and perform live at modular synthesiser conventions like Superbooth in Berlin and Knobcon in Chicago."

"I love cooking and take pride in preparing meals from around the world. Whilst travelling is on hold I’ve been exploring various themed foods from different countries. I’m a creative cook, I don’t follow a recipe if I can help it. It’s not that far away from building a track either. Check this video I did recently for a charity record. I approached it in very much the same way as I would when cooking a meal!"

Tell us something our students may not know about you.

"I founded a music festival in 1998 and built it up over 6 years with 200 in attendance on year 1 where it rained over the whole weekend and was a washout! On year 6 over 15,000 attended! Hard work and persistence paid off in the end!

"I recently did a sonification for the FIMTEC research group focussing on translation technique, concealed ciphers and sonic clairvoyance."

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