From dreaming of a Trombone to electronic Sound: How I’ve discovered making Music

How all started

As a child, I was captivated by the trombone. The sound, the mechanics, the way it shaped tones fascinated me. But then something happened that completely altered my musical path.

Computers became household items. Synthesizers were suddenly within reach. The idea of not just playing music but crafting entirely new sounds opened up. I knew instantly that this was where I belonged.

My First Keyboard and the Search for More

Carolina Sauter at eight years old playing her first keyboard, a Yamaha PS-30. Sheet music rests on the stand as she explores the instrument’s auto-accompaniment features, searching for a more dynamic and expressive sound.

At eight, I received my first keyboard, a Yamaha PS-30. It had exciting features. The auto-accompaniment made it feel alive. Yet, something about the sound felt incomplete. Too polished. Too static. Lacking the depth I was seeking. I wanted something more dynamic. Something I could shape.

Commodore 64 and its SID

Carolina Sauter as a child using a vintage Commodore computer. A CRT monitor displays code, with cassette tapes and retro technology on the desk. Is she playing with the SID sound chip?

Fortunately, I also had access to a Commodore 64. Its SID sound chip was unlike anything else. Gritty. Expressive. Full of character. I needed to understand how it worked and how I could push it beyond its intended capabilities.

Handcrafted Circuits and My First Custom Sounds

I found a circuit diagram for an analog-to-digital converter and built it myself. This meant manually designing the circuit. Etching it with ferric chloride. Soldering every connection by hand. Each successful step was a breakthrough. Every sound a new discovery.

But that was just the beginning. I wrote my own assembly routine. It allowed me to manipulate audio through the SID chip’s volume control. I was able to play the samples I had recorded and change the playback speed and with it its frequency. Suddenly, I was no longer just playing music. I was sculpting it.

This moment moved me

Somebody borrowed me the Korg MS-20, an analog synthesizer. The ability to shape sound waves in by playing with the knobs. It was an entirely new world and the sound, I simply loved it. I did not own it, having to think about giving it back was somewhat like a little pain. From the first moment I touched it, I knew one day I would have something like it.

First owned real gear

That moment set everything in motion. My first personal investment was the Korg M1. Later, a Boss Dr-660 had been added for beat. Then came the Akai S2000 as a sampler. Later the Access Virus A for rich analog sound. Each new instrument expanded my sonic landscape. Each step allowed me to refine and evolve my creative process.

Why Does This Matter?

Because music is more than performance. It is sound design. It is exploration. It is the ability to mold something new from nothing. This journey is far from over.

Note: The brand names mentioned are of informational purposes. Trademarks,  brand names are the property of their respective owners. Above used brand names are: Yamaha, Commodore, Korg, Akai, Boss. Their use does not imply any affiliation, endorsement, or sponsorship by the respective trademark owners.