The Glitch Mob:Underground innovation with AudioFuse 16Rig
Los Angeles-based electronic duo The Glitch Mob, comprised of Edward Ma (edIT) and Josh Mayer (Ooah), emerged from the city’s underground bass scene in the mid-2000s. Renowned for their boundary-pushing performances and innovative, textural production, they’ve garnered a global following with a sound that makes new ground with every release. From early days as a DJ collective to a sound design aesthetic steeped in bass-heavy tones, soaring synths and cinematic flourishes, the duo remain dedicated to exploring their craft while maintaining that unmistakable Glitch Mob edge.
We got to sit down with them in their LA-studio to learn more about their creative process, tech set-up and the studio mastermind behind their hybrid workflow, AudioFuse 16Rig.
From glitch to jungle
From the early-days glitch-heavy anthems to cinematic, high-octane live sets, The Glitch Mob’s discography has continually pushed the envelope of a hard-hitting, genre-fluid sound. Their breakthrough album “Drink the Sea” (2010) introduced a powerful blend of roaring synth lines and trip-hop-style instrumentation. This was developed further with the 2011 EP “We Can Make the World Stop” which epitomised Glitch Mob’s characteristically energetic and dubstep-leaning sound design, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Following the chart-topping “Love Death Immortality” (2014) and the forward-thinking “See Without Eyes” (2018), the duo have recently ventured into more pared back, jungle-inspired territory with tracks like “Wild Inside,” which merges heavy, syncopated drums with searing bass and warehouse-style vocal sampling. This move underscores a theme of constant creative reinvention while staying true to a signature bass-heavy, immersive production style.
We've simplified, we've kind of brought things back down to earth. It's less of a big spectacle and more of the raw elements of what you need to play this club music.
Off the grid, in the box
Having leaned heavily on Arturia’s virtual instruments and effects in their productions since the early days, The Glitch Mob’s creative flow is enhanced with a range of Arturia gear. From the latest KeyLab controller to the MicroFreak and the AudioFuse 16Rig, a high-density audio interface that enables the seamless integration of all studio elements.
Multi-channel routing that is extended with the AudioFuse X8 ADAT expander. For a sound that thrives on hardware experimentation, modular synths, and hands-on techniques, the ability to unify a sprawling rig under one interface is key.
We've been using Arturia products from almost the beginning.. I definitely remember getting the early version of the Modular V and having no idea what I was doing.
From exploring new sound banks, to effortlessly linking controller parameters to your favorite VST, to creating custom routing presets on AudioFuse, Arturia’s ecosystem blends the creative potential of hardware and software and means there is always something to discover.
Going dawless
For The Glitch Mob, one of the standout features of the 16Rig is its standalone operation. This allows them to jam on synths and modular gear, and shape ideas before a computer is even turned on - offering the flexibility to go back to basics and stay focused on tactile instruments alone.
The 16Rig’s virtual mixer also ensures that you can easily adjust levels and audio routings on the fly and save them for future use. That means more time spent exploring ideas - whether it’s recording a modular-line into Ableton, jamming with drum machines, or exploring next-gen speaker setups.
Whatever it is, I think advancements in technology is always a good thing to help further your creative process and help you stay inspired.
Immersive monitoring
The newly updated immersive audio features of the AudioFuse 16Rig give artists the freedom to craft their mixes in any surround, 3D, or custom spatial format - from Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D setups to 5.1, 7.1, or completely bespoke layouts. With precise speaker management, per-channel time alignment, and user-friendly bass management all controlled via the AudioFuse Control Center, you can quickly calibrate sub levels, reference loudness, and seamlessly switch outputs.
Something that I’m very excited about with the AudioFuse Control Center and the AudioFuse 16Rig firmware update is the new immersive monitoring option. The ability to dial in my sub volume-wise, crossover point-wise, and turn it on and off is next level.
Sound exploration bar none
From crafting modular jams to shaping boundary-pushing underground hits, The Glitch Mob’s guiding principle is continued creative evolution. A stance that goes hand-in-hand with technological evolution, where hybrid setups are evermore seamless and expansive, original sound design is evermore possible.
With the freedom granted by AudioFuse 16Rig, they’re equipped to keep forging their own path - linking hardware, experimenting out of the box, and bridging the gap between an underground ethos and a cutting-edge production style.
“The idea of sound exploring is everything in what we do. We’re always thinking, ‘How do we make a sound that doesn’t sound like anything you’ve heard before?” - Josh
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