Max Arlen is a modest electronic music producer and sound designer
who builds careful, unflashy work around thoughtful production and close
collaboration. Raised in Brooklyn, he learned to record on a cassette
four-track and spent early years repairing broken gear, trading mixes,
and playing small DIY shows. Rather than chasing spectacle, Max prefers
quiet craft: warm analogue tones, simple modular patches, and
arrangements that leave room for the people he works with.
His projects usually start as conversations. Max writes and produces
tracks with vocalists, instrumentalists, filmmakers, and visual artists
from across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, translating remote
stems and in-studio sessions into understated songs and textured
instrumentals. He composes subtle scores for short films and adverts,
and accepts a limited number of commissions so each piece can receive
careful attention.
In the studio he mixes vintage analogue gear with compact digital
tools, tape saturation, Eurorack modules, field recordings and
restrained sampling, aiming for clarity, warmth, and modest surprise
rather than maximum loudness or gimmick. Live, Max favors small venues
and gallery spaces, presenting sets that are intimate and adaptable,
often inviting collaborators on stage.
Outside of releases, he runs occasional workshops and open studios
that focus on practical skills: basic synthesis, sample editing, and
low-cost DIY instrument repair. His approach is patient and
approachable, prioritizing learning and shared process over
self-promotion.