Following the success of the duo’s ‘Forte’ album earlier this year, Pan-Pot’s highly esteemed Second State label is thrilled to announce the release of the 13th edition of the ‘Sum’ Various Artist Compilation. As a celebration of Techno music, this compilation showcases the genre’s finest, promising to leave a lasting impression on enthusiasts worldwide.
The tracklist, curated with precision, features a diverse range of artists, each contributing unique sounds that encapsulate the soul of techno music. The compilation initiates with the pulsating energy of “Warehouse Impulse” by Audio State, setting a high-octane tone from the outset. Ben Champell’s “Give Me That” follows, with its raw and powerful sound captivating listeners. The hypnotic journey continues with “Basic Instinct” by Bruce Zalcer, showcasing intricate melodies and driving rhythm. Chris Hirose & RNDTXTR collaborate on “Sits,” a track that fuses deep basslines with harsh percussion and pulsating synth stabs to create a mesmerizing atmosphere.
Each track on ‘SUM’ Vol. 13 highlights the distinctiveness of the artist’s sound while maintaining a cohesive flow. This release is a testament to the talent and creativity within the Techno genre alongside Pan-Pot’s top-tier label curation via Second State, ensuring a unique and immersive experience for all listeners.
How to listen: There are a couple of ways to proceed. First, you can listen to the whole album, which you will find below, and then read the notes. Or, read the notes as you listen to each track. This will completely change your perspective on the whole release itself and bring you closer to the artist and their work.
M.F.S: Observatory – Interstellar
I crafted my track in Ableton, weaving together the beats with a TR-8S drum machine and adding intricate synth textures using a Eurorack modular setup. The fusion of software and hardware resulted in a unique sonic landscape.
Chris Hirose & RNDTXTR – Sits
It’s a fairly simple track with a super slim track count. If I remember correctly, it all started with an Octatrack jam and some classic drum sounds. ITB it was just a SynthMaster preset with a few automations. Then rendered to audio for some further editing with the best bits and pieces towards the end.
Audio State – Warehouse Impulse
Initially, it was supposed to be a very raw and hypnotic track, but I’ve found that cool chord sample which eventually became the hook of the track and basically transformed it into a peak time big room song, which is why it’s named Warehouse Impulse. On top of that, the vocal line from the break adds that oldie-house feeling to the track, making it to stand out more.
Kristian Heikkila – Craft
Craft was formed in my studio where I often start with a beat and a lead sound. I build from there. I use Reason as a DAW, and most of the sounds in Craft are software-based. However, I have my favourite hardware synthesizers, such as the Polivoks, Matrix Brute, and Juno 106, which contribute to background ambience and fills. My diverse background in different styles helps me make Techno versatile.
Ramon Tapia – DSP Engine
When I started the track I tried to keep it quite simple, so that the Virus TI main lead would get all the attention in the mix while it creeps out of the filter (UAD’s Moog Filter because it always adds extra warmth and shimmer to what you put through).
For the little 1 note string in the break, I used an old disco string, don’t ask me why but it just always does the trick even though I always have to phase correct Mid Side just so it stays out there when you check It in mono. The small layer on the main lead I tweaked a sample with the reason Mimic sampler that I use in Cubase. All the rest gets pretty much told by the track itself.
Kmyle – You Will Not Colonise
I was inspired by my feelings about society. I tried to transcribe that under my melancholic vibes by creating something hypnotic with a special voice supported by driving beats created on my Elektron machines and a Detroit chord reworked on a modular synth sampler.
Wigbert – Delayed
When I was jamming the sounds for ‘Delayed’ in the studio, it reminded me of the feeling when I was just too late to catch a train. This also inspired me to name the track ‘Delayed’. The drums are from the 909 and Pulsar23 from SOMA. I reversed the ride at some points, and it runs through the Eventide Blackhole plugin via send. The main synth consists of several layered tracks recorded from an EMS Synthi, and simultaneously sent through an Eventide H8000 unit.
Procombo – Freaks
Freaks was produced around early summer 2021. It was a time when COVID was still around, but the end of the tunnel was near. I remember very clearly that I wanted to go into the raw techno sound but was still very much into big drops and build-ups, so both are very apparent in the track. It is raw and stripped with a simple melody written on Diva, which was continuously going on semi toning for the build-up with two big drops. I can see it getting attention from DJs of quite a bit of diversity, so fingers crossed.
Katnada – Keep Dancing
My vocals take center stage on this track, weaving a hypnotic chant over an ethereal background pad. The rhythmic mantra of ‘Keep Dancing’ invites the listener to surrender their bodies to the rhythm. The subtle swing of percussions amplifies the dance-inducing spell, as the bassline, shaped by the virtual synth Modular V, completes the journey into a realm where thoughts dissipate, and the rhythm takes control.
Ben Champell – Give Me That
The idea of give me that was to create a rawer track than my normal style usually is. The key element is a raw catchy baseline, which makes it the main character of the track, followed by a nice and catchy chord stab which creates some industrial flavours. Give me that was built for the dance floor.
Bruce Zalcer – Basic Instinct
Last year I made the decision to produce raw, groovier tracks and this was one of the first of a few. The main synth line is an automated Arp from Nexus. With the filter opening and closing. I made a repetitive marching band type of groove with the hats. And there’s a Moog Mother synth in the back with a low sawtooth wave giving it more bass and power.
Grab your copy here.
