Syntaur’s Magical Journey Through Rupert Greenall’s Sonic Universe

Embracing the Vintage Soul

In the realm where sound is conjured from shadows and light, Syntaur introduces us to the timeless artistry of Rupert Greenall, the enigmatic keyboardist of The Fixx. With a flourish of analog nostalgia, Greenall reflects on his love affair with classic instruments like the ARP Odyssey and Prophet 5. These are not mere machines; they are storied vessels, each note a whisper from the past. Within the circuitry of his original PPG Wave, a living memory resides—a personal trove of sounds crafted by Wolfgang Palm himself, unattainable by modern replication. We are transported to a time when electronica was painted by hand, and each synthesis was as unique as a snowflake resting on a rose.

The Dance of Vocoder and Voice

Greenall unveils the ethereal dance between his vocals and his vocoder, describing a symphony where spoken word merges with sonic waves. His technique breathes life into ambient pads, shaping resonance like a sculptor in clay. Here, every utterance and modulation is an alchemy of sound, swirling as clouds in an electronic sky. The vocoder becomes an extension of his mind, a multidimensional filter through which he lauds his mastery in crafting atmospheres. The vocoder, often known for robotically rigid voices, finds a fresh reincarnation in Greenall’s hands—transforming live performances into landscapes of ebbing tides and shifting sands. The instantaneous bloom of sound created is unparalleled, an illustration of how synthesis can transcend the ordinary.

"I'll play a pad and it's like a vowel and I'll talk into it."

Logic's Lost Waves and Vintage Echoes

In the heartbeat of Greenall’s live rig lies a homage to both past and future, as he navigates the realms of vintage echoes and digital modernity. Relying on Logic’s legacy versions, he preserves the purity of his PPG wave sounds. Each wavetable holds stories of yesteryears, an archive of sonic history preserved within digital confines. His adeptness at marrying old with new showcases a commitment to authenticity. With wavetables teeming like a library of forgotten voices, he fine-tunes his setup to retain every nuance. This provides a rare fidelity in live settings; his performances radiate with the glow of original creation, unattainable by mere modern presets. Greenall’s mastery underscores the importance of embracing one’s roots while weaving modern threads into the tapestry.

The Odyssey Continues

"there's a kind of bleh bleh bleh, it's better than the Odyssey"

As we plunge deeper into Greenall’s onstage narrative, an Odyssey emerges—not just of synth lineage but of enduring passion and innovation. The Korg remake of the Odyssey stands as a testament to the past reimagined for the present. Greenall affectionately recounts his journey with this instrument across albums, casting spells of bass and lead that underpin his band’s iconic tracks. His live performances, though imbued with a layer of modern sequencing to free his hands, are riddled with the raw energy of spontaneity. In a time where digitization often governs, Greenall treads the delicate line between programmed precision and organic play. This balance allows him to sew emotions into the fabric of each performance, ensuring each note played is laden with the breath of life. There lies satisfaction in wielding the keys with both hands, in defying convention, and in nurturing the visceral interplay that live performance affords.

The Fixx: A Tapestry of Time

Time weaves its intricate patterns through the tapestry of The Fixx, a band whose resilience is as remarkable as their commitment to unity. Greenall muses on their shared journey—a collaborative odyssey that transcends decades. The band’s longevity, marked with collaboration credits across their discography, speaks to a profound craftsmanship in friendship and musicianship. Each live encounter remains a testament to their shared spirit, with every member contributing to the ongoing symphony. Rather than shuffling members and losing chemistry, The Fixx has conserved their artistic soul, presenting audiences with the authenticity of original sounds and the dynamic presence of its founding artists. This continuity not only defines their endurance but connects each era’s sonic thread, offering magnitudes of history with each performance.

Echoes of New Beginnings

In the harmonious glow of lasting friendships, Rupert Greenall speaks of the future—of new recordings and new toys, like the eagerly anticipated Third Wave synthesizer. The prospect of new soundscapes brimming with stellar potentials fuels their creative flight into the coming days. The Fixx stands as a familial unit, existing within a world alive with unprecedented textures and tones yet to be discovered. Fan adoration remains a constant embrace, their bond a retelling of tales shared for generations. As the interview concludes, we are left with a resonance; a hint of excitement for what lies ahead. The synth wizardry of Greenall ensure that their sonic journey continues its course through the cosmos, on waves yet to break upon unknown shores.