Roland TR-909 and modular synth: Studio insights on Harry Styles
· re:union Radio editorial · 1 min read
Kid Harpoon details the creation of Harry Styles' single Aperture. A drum machine, effects, and a modular synth sparked the studio session.
Hardware as a creative spark in the studio
In Spotify's Songlore series, Kid Harpoon (Tom Hull) detailed the production process behind the single Aperture by Harry Styles. The track is part of the 2026 album Kiss all the time. Disco, occasionally. According to the producer, the song began during a moment of low energy and exhaustion in the recording facility.
Gear used and production workflow
To reignite the session, Hull turned to specific studio gear:
- Roland TR-909: Hull used the drum machine to program beats and experiment with sounds to bring energy.
- Eventide HS3000 SE Ultraharmonizer: The effects box was combined with the drum track for delay and sound processing.
- Modular rig: A patched modular synthesizer setup added further electronic textures.
Styles joined the process, wrote vocal melodies, and suggested extending the track past five minutes. The production also features London's House Gospel Choir and a synth bassline played over an extended section rather than a loop.
Modular synth instead of guitar
Hull also noted that a prominent sound on the track is often misidentified by listeners:
He explained that a section resembling an electric guitar was actually created on his modular synth. Watching live performances makes him proud knowing audiences generally mistake the synthesizer sound for a guitar.
Aperture was the final song produced for the album, yet it became its lead single.
Source: MusicRadar
