Microcosmos & Max-Made Simplicity: ELPHNT’s Creative Workflow Deep Dive

In this episode, ELPHNT (Thomas Glendinning) explores the minimalist flow behind Microcosmos, why he built the Essentials Pack, and how organic percussion and intentional constraints shaped the grooves.

Thomas Glendinning (ELPHPNT) Returns—Exploring His New Album Microcosmos and the Tools That Made It Happen

A New Sonic World with Microcosmos

Ableton Certified Trainer Thomas Glendinning—known as ELPHNT—is back to share the thinking and techniques behind his latest album Microcosmos (stylized console MH / microcosmos). He joins the podcast to talk about minimalist workflows, intentional tool choices, and the surprising power of restraint.

Minimal Tools, Maximum Clarity

Thomas explains that most of the tools he used for music creation already existed—but they were overstuffed or misaligned with his goals. That led him to craft the Essentials Pack, a suite of Max for Live devices that do one job verywell:

• Inspired by using the native Shifter device only for specific tuning tweaks, he built slimmed-down versions that focus on what actually matters to him.
• These tools let him stay in flow—and focus on music—without hunting through sprawling effect racks.

Pay-What-You-Can: A Model That Works

Rather than a fixed price or a free model, ELPHNT chose a “Pay if you can” model for Essentials. The result?

• Wider reach (many more downloads)
• Comparable revenue to traditional paid-only packs
• A model that felt fair, creative, and generous—his own “superhero origin story”

Album Creation as Curated Restraint

Before starting Microcosmos, he spent two months auditing every plugin, sample pack, and device he owned—keeping only what truly inspired him. This forced focus brought two major benefits:

• He knew exactly what gear was available—and stuck with it
• He could finish music without being distracted by endless choices

Ultimately, this shaped the album’s sonic identity and helped define the tools he’d share later with others.

Organic Details: Shakers, Tambourines & Imperfection

A key part of Microcosmos’ groove comes from simple percussion—like shakers and tambourines. These parts:

• Add both rhythmic weight and texture
• Feel alive and natural precisely because they’re slightly imperfect
• Were often sourced from his own sample pack (Shake)—not pro-recorded libraries

For Thomas, these elements are vital to humanizing electronic music.

Workflow Habits for Clarity

Thomas credits his tidy Ableton projects and disciplined color coding for a smoother workflow—his setup is so clear it’s like a masterclass in session hygiene. He also talks heads-up mixing habits:

• Gain staging with faders between –12 to –6 dB
• Strategic use of mix vs. creative effects
• Periodic mix resets—sometimes mixing in mono to refocus perspective

These habits help him work without distraction—and finish songs more often.