Podcast 183: Dave Rossum

Dave Rossum has quite a history. From helping to start up E-mu Systems, managing its acquisition by Creative Labs (and working with them through a 10-year run of amazing designs) and the creation of Rossum Electro-Music, Dave has been designing the heck out of music instruments. I was really excited when the Synthtopia folks we able to pull this interview together, since I've been a fan of E-mu devices for a long, long time, and have been mesmerized by the new modules he's been developing. In our chat, we talk in detail about the development of the early E-mu modular system, the move into sampling technology, the effect of the Creative purchase and the technology developments behind the Proteus lineup. We also go into detail about Dave's design work with the new series of modules that he's working on, as well as the upcoming sampler module that has everyone humming. This was a lot of fun, and super-educational; I learned an awful lot about the various technological advances behind samplers and sample-based systems. Given my renewed interest in sampling, that was very interesting to me. But his views on analog and digital modular designs, and his willingness to take on impossible projects and find a way to make 'em work - it was inspirational. Enjoy!