Harry Styles and Eurorack: The Rise of Modular Synthesis in Mainstream Music
Eurorack modular synthesizers have become increasingly popular in the music industry, expanding beyond just modular synthesis enthusiasts to mainstream artists and studios. Pop star Harry Styles recently showcased his use of Eurorack gear from Arturia and Behringer during a BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge session.
The integration of Eurorack gear into mainstream music reflects its status as a legitimate musical instrument, akin to guitars or synthesizers. Harry Styles utilized a small Eurorack system housed in an Arturia RackBrute case, featuring modules from Intellijel and other brands, as well as the Soma Lyra-8 FX module.
During the performance, Harry Styles was seen playing the modular synth alongside a Sequential Prophet-6 desktop and classic equipment like the Roland RE-201 Space Echo and Roland SP-404MKII sampler. While the specific use of the modular system was not clearly visible, it appeared to contribute to a bassline-like synth sound with the Soma FX module.
Interestingly, another member of Harry Styles' band also embraced Eurorack technology, using a complete Behringer System-55, a faithful clone of the Moog Modular. Despite personal musical preferences, the live performance featuring Eurorack gear was well-received and showcased the growing popularity of modular synthesis in the music industry.
The collaboration between mainstream artists like Harry Styles and Eurorack manufacturers such as Arturia, Behringer, and Intellijel highlights the increasing influence of modular synthesis in contemporary music production. This trend signifies a shift towards diverse and innovative sound creation methods, bridging the gap between traditional instruments and cutting-edge technology.