Michele Rabbia on the Art of Blending Analog and Digital
In a brief talk after the performance, Michele Rabbia explained further about his craft and how he balances the acoustic with the electronic. The machine is now shaping so much how we work, but we must shape the machine. In his work, he strives to incorporate as many analog elements as possible. Even minimal changes in microphones can significantly impact the performance, requiring a constant balance.

– I consider the electronics in my work an extension of the acoustic instrument. The main thing is the acoustic, and from there I manipulate the sound, Rabbia continues.

He avoids using many plugins, preferring to create the effects himself. When he needs more digital solutions, he relies on a good friend to assist with those challenges. Finding the right sound is a time-consuming process, especially when blending acoustic and electronic elements. It involves the complex task of processing sounds from various surfaces and sources, such as metal and skin, to achieve the desired outcome.

As much as today’s music is influenced by the machine, we are in control of that machine as musicians and humans. Rabbia emphasized heavily the importance of history and knowing where music originated from. By immersing yourself in a multitude of impressions, you can make independent decisions as a musician.

– I´m a drummer, but not a drummer, a percussionist but not a percussionist, an electronic musician, but not an electronic musician – always in the middle, Rabbia explained.

In a society where anyone can claim to be an “expert” and produce sound, Michele Rabbia emphasized the importance of silence and observation. He noted that many of today’s youth are unfamiliar with the influential figures in both recent and older music history, which he sees as a significant disadvantage. Rabbia encourages new musicians to delve deeply into the history and backstory of their instruments. He believes that understanding people and history is crucial for creating meaningful music.

We thank Michele Rabbia for his work and time spent at CreaTeME Lab Event