Musicians tend to have a folder full of tracks. Alexandr Melodica now has one full of source code, too. The reason is familiar: he wants to get things done and get back to the music.
Alexandr is a DJ, producer, sound designer and teacher with more than twenty years of experience. He works with Logic Pro and Ableton Live, helps others make music, and has a particular love of sound synthesis. His tracks find their way into many DJs’ playlists, both as original releases and through ghost production for other artists. You may have heard his work without seeing his name on the release.
Programming gives that curiosity another outlet. When describing his move from the studio into software development, Alexandr draws on familiar ideas: an API is a little like a MIDI cable; refactoring is like tidying up audio routing. If you’ve ever traced a missing signal through a studio, “What’s connected to what?” is a sensible place to start.
AudioFlow grew out of that same practical mindset. As Alexandr puts it: “I’m building a tool for my own daily routine first, and a product for a wider audience second.”
Convert a file. Make a quick MIDI edit. Build a processing chain and apply it to a batch of recordings. These everyday tasks shape the application: clear actions, fewer unnecessary steps, and a result you can carry straight into your next session.
I help Alexandr develop AudioFlow, and that gives us a useful question to return to: how does this button help someone who is busy making music?
The application also has a demanding first user: its own creator. If it adds more fuss than it removes, he’ll notice. He has to use it again tomorrow.
Sandra