I’m a 38 year old guy from The Netherlands, periodically active Elektronaut. I’ve recently “discovered” I’m Autistic. I’m in the process of getting a diagnosis now, but had some interesting insights in the mean time.
I notice I tend to make electronic music as “Stimming behaviour”: I like the sensory input of flashing lights, repetitative patterns and being able to influence them. And all that is “pulsating” in sync with each other and with the nice auditory stimuli it generates. In the light of my “new knowledge” synths are ultimate stimuli-generators
Any of you recognise any of these experiences?
Best, Jasper
(Reason for editing: Grammar OCD ) (And addenda)
PLUS: what a great world it is for the incidental “info-slurp-needs” : Device specs, audio processing principles, figuring out a newly purchased “toy”, music theory etc…
I’m not autistic but have worked with, for and around autistic people for about 15 years. I’m currently working as a mentor for autistic students at a university. Also, about 50% of my wife’s family is autistic.
The thing that always impresses me with autism is the singular focus it can yield. Whether that be the total absorption in sensory experience or in working towards a PhD in engineering. There are elements of the autistic experience that, with the correct environmental management and understanding, seem to me to be extremely powerful.
Yeah, the world of synths seems pretty perfect for the stereotypical autistic person. There’s specs to compare, maths, lots of things to collect and of course the sensory experience.
Good to hear your story dude and I also wanted to announce that I have been inspired by your thread to name my first album release “Electromic Music” so thank you for that… I won’t be sharing any of the proceeds unfortunately but I will credit you in interviews and whatever talk shows etc…
Noooooo haha I thought you might but even better for me actually, now there is no record of your contribution Good luck taking me to court once it blows it into a planetwide megasensation!!!
My eldest son is autistic. He has always had good rytham and loved drumming when he was younger.
I tried to encourage him to have a go on Ableton and it didn’t really gel with him but he somehow got into ‘black midi’ which are songs using as many midi notes as possible and the songs always have a video showing the notes move across the screen. I’ve always considered that his stimming.
As he likes it I encouraged him to have a go and now he knocks out far more tunes than I do and has joined a small community online and also shares his work on YouTube. It is one of his escapes and he truely loves it.
He even made a black midi remix of one of my songs and I think in a future release I’m going to include one of his remixes.
Whilst I don’t always like the tunes I really respect the skills and craft.
Ultimately It is really good for him on many levels.
) (And addenda)
Good luck taking me to court once it blows it into a planetwide megasensation!!!