This is an unedited live performance with a modular synthesizer, devided up into several tracks to make navigation easier. 

The whole performance is also available with live visuals created with sleepy circuits hypno: https://youtu.be/PEqcT2SCcdE

The music leans into techno / electronic dance territory, built around strong rhythms. The foundation of the beat is provided by the Roland TR-8S. The main Eurorack elements include the Make Noise XPO for complex oscillations and the Make Noise DXG dual low-pass gate providing a crucial part of the groove. I also used the Mutable Instruments Elements clone, Atom, for some physical modeling textures.

One sample during the performance is a simple field recording I captured with my 3-year-old son while we were hiking and hitting metal pipes with wooden sticks—a small, personal moment woven into the electronic fabric.

The visual component was generated entirely live by the Hypno (Sleepy Circuits), complementing the improvised nature of the performance.

The entire mix was recorded directly from the Tascam Model 12 console into OBS. This is a true one-take, no-post-production recording, presented as it happened.
I hope you enjoy this spontaneous session.

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Prototype

Bleach

two more days

little mystery

light dark light

TEENAGERS

Memories

Spring Rains

This track serves as the intro and sets the musical stage for the full live modular synthesizer performance. It lays the groundwork with the rhythms provided by the Roland TR-8S and early tones from the Eurorack system.

Unlike the raw YouTube recording, this audio has been minimally processed in Ableton with a compressor and a limiter, but otherwise remains unchanged from the original live take. It is a true one-take recording.

The entire live performance, including the unique visuals generated live by the Sleepy Circuits Hypno, is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PEqcT2SCcdE.

Prototype #1 Intro

This track, Resonance, moves deeper into the set, focusing on more vivid, lively textures. Much of that resonant character comes from the Make Noise QPAS module. For variation and movement, the Oxi Meta module adds subtle DJ-style effects, bringing life to the overall groove.

As with the entire performance, this was recorded live in a single take. Although the video on YouTube is completely raw, this audio has been minimally processed in Ableton with a compressor and a limiter for clarity, but the performance itself is otherwise untouched.

The full live performance, including the unique visuals generated live by the Sleepy Circuits Hypno, is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PEqcT2SCcdE.

Prototype #2 Resonance

This short track, Prototype #3 Physical Intermezzo, acts as a brief transitional moment in the set. The unique textures and physical modeling sounds heard here are primarily generated by the Mutable Instruments Elements clone, Atom, easing the listener into the following track, "FM Party."

The piece was recorded live as part of the one-take performance. For the SoundCloud release, the audio received minimal mastering in Ableton (compressor and limiter) for better clarity, but the live performance is otherwise presented as it happened.

The full performance, including the live visuals generated by the Sleepy Circuits Hypno, is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PEqcT2SCcdE.

Prototype #3 Physical Intermezzo

This track, Prototype #4 FM Party, is where the sounds are truly let loose. During the live take, I manually altered the amount of Frequency Modulation (FM), pushing the tone into unusual frequencies and gently challenging conventional listening habits. It's a moment of free-flowing sound design within the dance framework.

This piece was recorded as part of the one-take performance. For this SoundCloud version, the audio received minimal mastering in Ableton (compressor and limiter) for better clarity, but the live performance remains otherwise untouched.

The full performance, including the live visuals generated by the Sleepy Circuits Hypno, is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PEqcT2SCcdE.

Prototype #4 FM Party

This track, positioned deeper into the set, features a raw saw-wave sound sourced from the Arturia MicroFreak. Over the course of the performance, this core sound is gradually expanded and stretched into a wider texture using the Hologram Electronics Chroma Console effects pedal.

This was recorded live as part of the continuous, one-take session. For this SoundCloud version, the audio received minimal mastering in Ableton (compressor and limiter) for clarity, but the original live performance is otherwise unchanged.

The full performance, including the live visuals generated by the Sleepy Circuits Hypno, is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PEqcT2SCcdE.

Prototype #5 MicroSaw

[Musik gewinnt Freunde - MGF018] 03 He & She - Videt - Videt Kollektiv Turmstrasse Remix

Katana ZERO (Original Soundtrack)

Katana ZERO

LudoWic - Katana ZERO (OST-Version)

pre-order now:  https://LateNightTales.lnk.to/angelindisguise

London based experimental producer and composer, Leifur James announces his return with news of a six date EU tour and the release of ‘Wise Old Man’ - the first single taken from his highly anticipated second album ‘Angel in Disguise’, which is due for release on the 24th April 2020 via Night Time Stories (sister label to the coveted ‘LateNightTales’).

Driving, melancholic electronica, ‘Wise Old Man’ is a nod to what can be expected of James’ second album, Angel In Disguise, showcasing a more experimental side to his production. Traversing through musicality, progressive synths and introspection, this first single unveils the producer’s distinct sound with disorientated vocals; speaking of the interplay between reason and emotion, the lyrics repeat “Wise old man in my brain, soul bursting through my veins”, opening the gates to this captivating electronically steered opus.

This news comes after an incredible few years for the artist. 2018 saw James release his esteemed debut album A Louder Silence on Night Time Stories and follow up remix EP that championed upcoming electronic talent including Bruce, FaltyDL and Whities producer, Coby Sey, on rework duties; projects which captured the attention of key tastemakers including Resident Advisor, Pitchfork, Mixmag, Electronic Sound, Future Music UK. 

An aesthetically driven artist dedicated to marrying powerful visual backdrops with sonic explorations, James teamed up with Hungarian director, Balázs Simon; producing the critically acclaimed, ‘Wurlitzer’ project which saw widespread support from the likes of Boiler Room, CLASH, Directors’ Notes, Motionographer, the UK and Berlin Music Video Awards, the London Short Film Festival, Dublin International Film Festival and more. 

A highly anticipated body of work, Angel In Disguise promises to explore the themes of love and loss through a masterful blend of harmonic vocals from James himself, nuanced electronic soundscapes and vibrant percussion - punctuated by bespoke visuals, directed by Balázs Simon. This exciting project is expected to make waves and see James step up, exhibiting his discerning ear and painstakingly honed production craft on a seminal label. 

Delving into intimate UK and European venues to showcase his ever-evolving live show, James’ tour will kick off May 2020 in Copenhagen, before heading to Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, London and Manchester.


Angel In Disguise is available for pre-order now:  angelindisguise.net

Leifur James - Wise Old Man


A sonic exploration of the endless possibilities of modular synthesis. From abstract textures to hypnotic drones, these sounds are born from intuition and experimentation.

Prototype #1 Intro

Modular Bloom

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