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There's some that I'm still proud of even if they sound a bit crap compared to what I'm doing now.

I'm not sure I could.

When I first started back in '99 I was only using ReBirth V2. The limitations imposed by that forced a specific kind of naive creativity that I don't think I could replicate even if I only used the RD-8, RD-9 and two TD-3s – essentially the same but in hardware form but without a couple of features that made Rebirth unique.

The difference in sound between the software emulation and the TD-3s would also be a sticking point, not to mention that I doubt I could rework a lot of the old patterns by ear alone.

A lot of files were lost, and others got damaged, when an old hard drive corrupted. I then struggled creatively and, in a fit of rage frustration, deleted everything. I still had copies of my CDs from MP3.com and the mp3s but all the original project files were gone. This was some time in 2001.

I made a couple of attempts at reinstalling everything, writing only one track I was happy with, over the next two or three years but gave it up as a lost cause.

When Propellerheads (now Reason Studios) release Figure for the iPhone I spent a couple of months having fun with it but the app was only ever designed as a sort of sonic sketch pad, letting you come up with ideas on the go.

Later, I played around with Auxy, another iPhone app. After originally singing its praises I got into another creative rut and switched to Android soon after. So that was that.

I think it took the switch to hardware to force a mental reboot. The different approach forced me to stop trying to do things like I did twenty years ago. Going purely hardware at the start imposed its own set of limitations but I was having fun with music again. That was the important thing, even if some of it wasn't particularly good. I was adapting my processes and thinking creatively again for the first time in a while.

I've now settled into a more balanced workflow, blending hardware and software, and it's the most productive I have been in years.

Some might think that producing acid techno at my age is my version of a midlife crisis (maybe it is) but this is just the type of music I like to make and listen to. What's the difference between that and groups like the Rolling Stones still performing into their 80s?

There was never a risk of me doing "something stupid" during any period of depression so I wouldn't say the music saved my life but, in a way, I feel like it's given me my life back.

If that makes sense.

_trim_pH1(Decipher_The_Code).mp3

I've decided to release Litmus Test as two EPs (Parts 1&2). I've had an idea for an intro to part one then also need one other track before I release Part 1.

#acid

Having also properly worked out monitoring etc. (I was overcomplicating things as usual) I've been able to connect both the mixer and audio interface to give me more independent tracks to record on. It feels good!

pH 1 is going to be the first track to benefit from this setup.

I still want a new multi-channel audio interface that will allow me the flexibility of separately recording the individual outputs from the drum machines and having each synth on its own channel but I'll make do with what I've got. It's a marked improvement over how I had it set up before.