BT (born Brian Transeau) has been creating music for over 15 years. And the term "creating music" is meant in the most literal sense possible. Having spent over a decade perfecting code and creating music software that is currently at the forefront of popular music, he has been able to master not only the art of performing live music, but also producing audio and creating film compositions. He's more or less a musical mad scientist.

"There's so much I enjoy about so many things that I do for a living," says Transeau. He is a man who, aside from being awkwardly handsome, ironically comes across like the most animated computer hacker you would ever imagine. For posterity's sake, it should also be added that he is one of the most genuinely polite and nicest individuals in the music business, hands down. As a younger man, and not to give his age away, he would literally hand-cut and dissect audio tracks. What this means is that you take a spool of audio tape (the history books are correct, kids, music used to be recorded on something other than an iPad), mark it with a grease pencil, cut it up and splice it by hand, creating arrangements and "remixes" the long way. Thank god he doesn't have to do that any longer.

With the advent of modern technology, BT has able to patchwork audio like a wizard, and get more accomplished (have you seen this man's resume?) in a shorter period of time. His "Stutter Edit" technique has been wildly popular in recent years (mega-stars such as Rihanna are currently using it on tour and in the studio). "It's what it would sound like if you took music and cut it up rhythmically," he explains. He also describes it as the "buffer-cutting technique." Furthermore, he has just begun work on a new method (with T-Pain) that has become the "modernist idea of being able to cut up and recongeal audio." Huh? Yet he speaks with such passion and excitement, while his delivery is so earnest and down-to-earth, it's remarkable that the entire industry isn't clamoring to work with the man.

He has also put his time in with the film industry, having worked on film scores for roughly 30 movies and about 20 video games. Switching roles while working with companies like Pixar and New Line Cinema, he is able to be part of a team, rather than the creative entrepreneur that being a solo artist requires. "It's fun to kind of riff with other creatives," BT says, "and getting to actually write for symphonies after all those years of study."

There is also a side to the man, when he lets his technological guard down, who enjoys nature and all of the creative inspiration that comes with it. "I'm a bit of a dualist in a way," he says, referring to his cyborg-esque techie side that is balanced only by his love of the organic. "I find a lack of technology even more inspiring," he explains, "from the natural world to being a father to being in nature. Those are the things that stand out, being outside, being in nature." Talk about deep. | RDW