Live IDM Masterclass with DJ / Producer / Tech-wizard, Alex Banks

For undergraduates in contemporary music production, the fast-changing world of live electronic music can seem a dizzying place, but a group of students were treated to an expert Masterclass in how to navigate that world when Alex Banks visited BIMM Brighton.

Alex is a successful club DJ and sought-after remixer and producer, and releases his own unique blend of techno/IDM through well-respected label, Monkeytown Records, owned by German music duo Modeselektor.

It’s an impressive pedigree for an electronic musician, and Alex generously brought all his skills to bear with live instructive demonstrations for the keen class at BIMM Brighton.

Alex introduced the specific equipment he takes on the road and used it to demonstrate step by step how he goes about constructing a set. The students were able to witness close-up what most clubbers only hear from a distance:

“Alex happily pulled apart his entire setup and allowed us to gain a unique insight into how someone at the top of their game operates,” said one student.

Because equipment at this level doesn’t come cheap, Alex was able to offer students guidance on knowing how to source the right piece of kit for the job.

“One of the most insightful parts was the explanation of his reasoning behind equipment choice, with the market as saturated as it is, it’s difficult to know what to buy and Alex really cleared up some information.”

said one of the BA Hons Music Production students

Said Alex on his Masterclass:

“It’s nice to hear there’s been positive feedback from students and that they’ve been inspired to go away and develop their own live sets. For me that’s the most rewarding outcome from the day.”

A real dose of technical and creative inspiration for the next wave of successful electronic musicians and production wizards at BIMM.