Steinberg’s SpectraLayers gets reviewed on p70. Time to talk to its main developer, Robin Lobel…

Steinberg/SpectraLayers Robin Lobel

cm How did you get into music software?

RL “I’ve been composing music and programming since I was 10. I had a passion for both, the common denominator being the design of structures. I made music for a couple of movies and video games but the software side took over with SpectraLayers.”

cm What is your philosophy?

RL “Take the time to find the right frameworks and technologies, and then everything that can be factorised or automated. That’s what allows me to develop multiplatform software despite being a single developer. Also, don’t be afraid to throw away and redesign half of your software, or all of it. If something’s not going to work in the long term, or is going to be difficult to maintain or won’t meet expectations, go back to the drawing board. The sooner you do it, the better the chances of your software [succeeding] in the long term. Once it’s out, you can’t change the first impression people will have.”