Andy Jenkinson
Composer • Sound Artist • Teletext Artist
Recent Works
Andy Jenkinson is a Leicester-based composer and sound artist whose practice explores the intersection of early home computing, modular synthesis, installation and performance. He works extensively with the 1982 Sinclair ZX Spectrum, composing in 1-bit Z80 assembly code and treating computational timing as musical material. His work investigates constraint and technological limitation while maintaining strong musical grounding.
He has presented gallery installations and live performances using the ZX Spectrum alongside modular synths, and recently took part in the Dyski radio Sound art residency.
Alongside his artistic practice, he has written and arranged music for musical theatre, advertisements, bands and solo artists, and teaches music technology and composition for media at FE and HE level.
Article: The Most Interesting Machines Say 'No' (PDF, Machine Zine, 2026)
Article: From BEEP to Beauty (PDF, BreakSpace Magazine, 2025)
Teletext Artist Profile
Live at EMF2026
The Machine That Says No: An illustrated lecture and live performance presented at Electromagnetic Field (EMF) 2026. This session explores the technical constraints, creative workflows, and performance techniques behind composing 1-bit music on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Open Source Software & Instrument Design
These modules and applets represent a deep integration of legacy computing, modular synthesis, and generative logic.
Released as open-source contributions to the wider maker and electronic music communities, these tools are now part of the official Phazerville and Music Thing Modular Workshop Computer ecosystems, heavily accelerating the creative workflows of other musicians. A vital component of this development pipeline is utilizing AI specifically Claude as a collaborative coding partner to rapid-prototype DSP engines and advanced generative logic.
| Ecosystem | Project | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Music Thing Modular Workshop Computer |
61 ZX | A cycle-accurate ZX Spectrum 128K emulator that turns modular jacks into a patchable control surface. (Phase 1 of Voltage Mediation) |
| 62 BioMimicry | Six physics engines generating organic triggers, CV, and audio based on biological models. | |
| 57 Glitch | A clock-synced beat-repeater with ratcheting, reversal, and audio degradation. | |
| 60 Markov | A dual generative Markov chain module for evolving melodies and rhythms. | |
| 63 NIBBLE | A utility that transforms button combinations into tools for melodic lines and lo-fi drum loops. | |
| 91 Chorgan | A six-voice morphing chord synthesizer with a built-in sequencer. | |
| 95 OffAir | A simulator for AM/Shortwave/Longwave radio with authentic heterodyne and static characteristics. | |
| 96 Cathode Ray | A composite video synthesizer supporting both PAL and NTSC builds. | |
| Phazerville O_C Firmware |
MarkoV / MarkovPerc | Advanced Markov chain generators for melodic and rhythmic sequences. |
| TruthCat 3 / 4 | Rhythm generators based on Catalan Boolean Gate logic and truth-table parse trees. | |
| KrpsStrng | A Karplus-Strong string synthesizer featuring a custom-built DSP engine. | |
| Misty | A live granular processor inspired by the "Clouds" architecture. | |
| Grit | A multi-mode distortion and lo-fi processor (Clip, Fold, Crush, Decimate). | |
| WavRec | A high-fidelity WAV file recorder (48 kHz/16-bit) for SD card integration. |
Rather than just software, some of these are custom-built mediators. In 'ZX' I writing in Z80 assembly and C++, and have designed a tool to ensure the "ghosts in the machine" of legacy hardware can speak natively to modern Eurorack systems.
Curated Video Playlists
Audio Archives
Musical Works
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