I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/sound_bubbles.html
Musician and musical robot maker Charlie Williams created this fun art piece with a combination of OpenCV (an open-source computer vision toolkit that provides, among many things, facial recognition) and Processing.
more info, including the opportunity to download the code and play with it yourself!
Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!August 31 2010, 9:25pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/dirty_electronics_weekend_laborator.html
This class looks interesting, Dirty Electronics, September 18th-19th in Nottingham, UK.
Dirty electronics refers to an approach in electronic music that is directly opposed to those found in mass produced digital culture and includes some of the following characteristics: designer trash, ugly, cheap, heavy, hand-made, designed to be handled or to come in contact with the body, ready-mades, hacked, bent, fedback and kitsch.
Dirty Electronics previously appeared in Make: Online for their Skull circuit touch instrument, pictured above.
Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!August 22 2010, 8:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/make_a_pennywhistle_from_pennies.html
The latest issue of MAKE, Volume 23, features another one of Tom Parker's whimsical projects made from coins. The idea behind his column, Make: Money, is to show how to make useful objects out of coins (and a few other scrap items) that cost less than the price of a similar mass-produced item.
In previous issues, Tom has made shirt buttons, a fishing lure, a mouse trap, a chess set, salt & pepper shakers, pinhole glasses, a bottle opener, and wind chimes out of coins. In this issue, Tom shows how he made a pennywhistle he made using four pennies, some scrap copper tubing, a bit of copper wire, solder, and a piece of bamboo.
Not only does the whistle looks neat, it sounds great, too!
From the pages of MAKE Volume 23:
MAKE Volume 23, Gadgets
This special issue is devoted to machines that do delightful and surprising things. In it, we show you how to make a miniature electronic Whac-a-Mole arcade game, a tiny but mighty see-through audio amp, a magic mirror that contains an animated soothsayer, a self-balancing one-wheeled Gyrocar, and the Most Useless Machine (as seen on The Colbert Report!). Plus we go behind the scenes and show you how Intellectual Ventures made their incredible laser targeting mosquito zapper — yes, it's real, and you wish you had one for your patio barbecue. All this and much, much more.
Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » |
Read more articles in Music |
Digg this!
August 19 2010, 7:00pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/08/15/ym2149-gets-new-life/
[MicroMinded] took us way back to our childhoods with his experiments and subsequent YMstream music player based on the Yamaha YM2149 sound generator used in old arcade systems, computers, and even phones (think chiptune). This reminds us of the Chipophone, only this time the sound is achieved from ICs used back in the day, rather than MCU waveforms.
There is still some work to be done to make the music player have a bit more functionality, but for now source is available if you want to make your own. Of course you might come across a small problem; finding an SSG is a tad bit more difficult than say, an Arduino. If a good resource is found, please share it in the comments!
[Thank you Andrew Kretschmer for sending in the chiptune mp3s]
August 15 2010, 9:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/how-to_build_a_rumble_pipe.html
In this KipKay video, Kip shows you how to make a simple sound effects thingy out of some PVC pipe, a piece of drum skin, and a spring.
Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!August 8 2010, 2:31pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/07/herbie_hancock_demos_a_synth_on_ses.html
Very much digging this classic clip of Herbie Hancock demonstrating a Fairlight CMI to some of the kids from Sesame Street. Guessing such technology may not dazzle today's youth quite as much.
July 31 2010, 6:30pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/07/26/long-arms-required-electronic-trombone-2/
Sadly, the video above is the only information we were able to find on the “Double Slide Controller” trombone, built by composer Tomás Henriques. As well as, the instrument took first place in the Georgia Tech Center Guthman Musical Instruments Competition. Right in front of a Bluetooth bow for violins, and a circuit bending group from New York, and…wait; it beat out our favorite modified didgeridoo? Better luck next year.
July 26 2010, 9:27am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/07/digital_music_triggered_by_capaciti.html
Wayne and Layne, creators of the Tactile Metronome, are developing a "party game" called Nerdle that packs capacitive touch sensors on the exterior of the case.
On a whim, I edited the program to make sound based upon the what the buttons sensed. 30 seconds later, this beautiful music emerged.Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!
July 24 2010, 8:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/07/ranjits_accordian_automaton_video.html
Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!Motherboard tv was kind enough to ask me to make a music machine for them. Here’s their video of the process!
July 22 2010, 2:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/07/drumsette_4-track_cassette-based_dr.html
MAKE subscriber Mike Walters (NYC), from Mystery Circuits, sent us a link to this amazing project he did that turned a Tascam 4-track tape recorder into a programmable drum machine. I love that it looks like something off the set of the original Star Trek. I almost expect to hear the voice of Majel Barrett coming out of it, along with the drum sounds.
Read the Full Story » | More on MAKE » | Comments » | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!July 13 2010, 7:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/large_hadron_music.html
Scientists working on the Large Hadron Collider have put together a sound library consisting of Community Commons music interpreted from from LHC datasets. Here's an example description:
The ATLAS detector viewed from the direction of the beam is circular, allowing us to sweep around it in a clockwise direction, looking for tracks and energy deposited in clusters. This is a bit like radar.
The detector is divided up into very thin wedges and a note is played if there is a track or cluster within the wedge. The pitch is determined by how much transverse momentum (for tracks) or energy (for clusters) is deposited in each wedge.
The resulting pieces are sweep_tthtracks and sweep_tthclusters , named because the event being sonified is a 'ttH' event, which means that it is a simulated event containing two top quarks and a Higgs boson.
[Via Paul]
More:
June 29 2010, 8:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/lullaby_for_a_makerbot.html
There's another first for MakerBot: electronic musician Haeyoung "Bubblfish" Kim wrote this song, supposedly the first original composition written for a MakerBot CupCake! If you're digging this, check out MakerBot's list of other musical compositions. If you want to make your own, there is a MIDI to gcode Python script that helps you convert your tunes. And if you don't have a machine but still want to make CNC music, download the MakerBot sound library which consists of .AIF samples of various CupCake pulleys and servos.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!June 25 2010, 3:00pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/06/25/yukikaze-music-visualizations/
[Taichi Inoue] put together this beautiful visualization system called Yukikaze, japanese for “snow wind”. Basically a spectrum analyzer, Yukikaze is delightful to watch. We would love to see what kind of response he gets, as most of the footage shows very slowly changing smooth jazz. While we don’t think he gets crisp EQ visualizations out of this since it is a single large chamber, we still think it is amazing to watch.
[via MakeZine]
June 25 2010, 8:34am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/self-playing_musical_instruments.html
These MIDI & Arduino-driven musical instruments -- a violin and a glockenspiel(?) -- were created by Spanish artist Joan Vallvé as part of Sónar, a music and multimedia festival going on this weekend in Barcelona.
The "Violí MIDI" and "Metal·lòfon MIDI" are part of the project to design and construct an automated musical environment. This environment must be able to play live, and that is why it has been designed to be easy to handle, reliable, stable and completely portable. The roots of the project lie in a reflection on the use of robotics as a tool for musical composition and performance. The media and surroundings influence and determine the artist's creative process. A new environment, a new language and a new interface will produce new creations and new musical styles. This is therefore a new format which calls into question the limits of the concepts of singer-songwriter or musical group.
Robotic instruments have so far been polyphonic percussion instruments and melodic instruments using plucked strings. Other musical timbres, registers and functions have still to be explored. On the horizon of the project is the creation of an interface adapted to the characteristics of each instrument, making the automated musical ensemble into an automated musical environment. The project is also based on constructive simplicity, the recycling of components and free hardware (Arduino), as well as the MIDI protocol due to its flexibility.
[Via the Arduino Blog]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!June 18 2010, 3:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/performous_an_open-source_karaoke_g.html
Performous is an open source karaoke/instruments game, in the same vein as Rock Band. Perfect for practicing your favorite Jonathan Coulton song!
While Performous might be classified as a karaoke program, it is actually much more than that. Instead of just displaying the lyrics, notes are also displayed and the performance is scored based on how well you actually hit the notes. Unlike in most other games in this genre, you will also see the precise pitch that you are singing, so that you can see what you are doing wrong and easily (well, everything is relative) correct your pitch.
[via lifehacker]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!June 16 2010, 4:00pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/06/11/wiimote-controlled-rubens-tube/
While we could be content following our “kiddie d-day” as [Caleb Kraft] suggested. We know you can’t continue such an awesome Friday without trying to blow yourself up first.
This Wiimote Rubens’ tube caught our eye. A PVC Aluminum irrigation pipe is drilled with holes and propane is pumped through. A speaker on one end creates changes in pressure and a neat light show follows suit. [ScaryBunnyMan] went further though, with a collection of software and a Wii Remote he “plays god” controlling the music, and thus, the fire. Check out a fun video after the split.
[Via Make]
June 11 2010, 4:29pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/tin_can_contact_microphones.html
If you're into lo-fi sound, this is a pretty cool trick. What's more, it's super easy to DIY. If you're as busy as I am, though, and you still want to experiment with a tin can mic, it's hard to argue with the $7 price tag on these from the guys who run getlofi.com. I like the fact that they leave the original labels in place, and that they use 1/4" jacks. It would also appear that they have some clever trick for resealing the empty can in a good-looking way. At first I thought they were actually using a can sealer to close them back up, but close inspection of the photographs makes me think they probably open them with a side-opening can opener (Wikipedia) and then glue or solder the original lids back in place. Still cool, though.
More:
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!June 5 2010, 10:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/diy_xylophone_made_from_wood_metal.html
Over at Make: Español, Marisol found this nifty homebrew xylophone, built by Lovisa Ekelund and Bernardo Flores. Looks like fun!
More:
May 28 2010, 9:15pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/arcattack.html
Austin band ArcAttack! performs with musical tesla coils (in a chain maille "Faraday suit") and a robotic drummer. From their Maker Faire profile:
More:ArcAttack! employs a unique DJ set up of their own creation to generate an 'electrifying' audio visual performance. The HVDJ pumps music through a PA system while two specially designed DRSSTC's (Dual-Resonant Solid State Tesla Coils) act as separate synchronized instruments. These high tech machines produce an electrical arc similar to a continuous lightning bolt and put out a crisply distorted square wave sound reminiscent of the early days of synthesizers.
ArcAttack! is an Austin born, high tech performance group. They've been working together since 2005. The group members are Joe DiPrima, Oliver Greaves, Tony Smith, John DiPrima, Patrick Brown and Craig Newswanger.
Subscribe to the MAKE podcast in iTunes, watch it on YouTube, Vimeo, or download the m4v video.
May 28 2010, 2:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/remixing_with_swing.html
Sweet Child O' Mine (Swing Version) by plamere
White Rabbit - The Swing Version by plamere
Tristan Jehan's Swinger does a heckuva good job adding a convincing swing to prerecorded music.
Written in Python, the code uses the Echo Nest Remix API to time-stretch half of each beat while condensing the remainder. Check out more of plamere's examples over at Music Machinery. [via joshuatopolsky]
May 26 2010, 3:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/rock_band_stage_kit_controlled_by_a.html
Now that Microsoft has released their .NET Micro Framework under an open source license, we're hoping to see some interesting projects come out of it. The makers of the .NET-powered FEZ boards wrote in with this cool project:
This project demonstrates how to use the Xbox Rock Band Stage Kit with Micro framework using GHI's USB Host feature....no Xbox is necessary!
...This example uses a distance detector to measure the distance from the stage kit. The closer you get, the more LEDs will turn on and you will get faster strobe. If you are too close, the fog machine will start working.Here's some code:
// when it is connected, make a new device
RBSKController rbsk = new RBSKController(device);
// set strobe speed
rbsk.SetStrobe(RBSKController.StrobeSpeed.Faster);
// Turn on the second and sixth Blue LEDs
rbsk.SetLEDs(RBSKController.LEDColor.Blue, RBSKController.LEDs
RockBandStageKit on NETMFPROJECTS
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!May 25 2010, 10:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/ben_cowdens_wayward_calliope.html
Marky likes it!
One of the highlights of our tour of the Maker Faire grounds last Thursday was this "Wayward Calliope" by artist Ben Cowden of Applied Kinetic Arts. Turn the crank, and a combined mechanical and pneumatic power transfer system activates a choir of slide whistles to produce a sound that is simultaneously beautiful, creepy, and hilarious. Somehow. It's rather harder to appreciate in a noisy exhibit hall, so if you were at the Faire and saw, but couldn't hear, be double-dog-sure to check the vid.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!May 23 2010, 10:00pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/05/23/spark-plug-music/
This is (video above) perhaps the most abstract way of playing sounds…ever. Yes, we’ve heard Hard Drive music and Obsolete technology bands, but [DJ Sures] brings us the first ever, spark plug instrument.
Much like Velcro and Teflon, the musical spark plug is claimed to be an accident. After testing energy use vs. spark power with his flare stack ignition controller, [DJ Sures] noticed that different frequencies could be produced. It was only a matter of reprogramming before death metal Twinkle Twinkle Little Star is heard. Now he just needs to refine it a bit and build a full stereo cabinet.
May 23 2010, 3:20pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/in_the_maker_shed_at_maker_faire_el.html
This is the Saga FV-Style Electric Guitar kit in mid-build. John Park put one together in the Maker Shed at Maker Faire (with stringing/tuning by the Shed's resident shredder Rob Bullington). It's a beautiful guitar, and an easy build. Come check it out this weekend at the Faire!
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!May 22 2010, 4:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/3d_monome_maze.html
Silverspaceship coded up a simple 3D maze app for his monome 256. Nothin' like a $1400 premium music controller for retro gaming ;) [via monome: news]
May 19 2010, 8:00am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/mental_note_an_eeg_musical_instrume.html
Hunter Scott, a student at Georgia Tech, discovered a serial out on a Star Wars Force Trainer EEG toy, so he decided to make it into a musical instrument. When activated, the electroencephalography-driven toy plays a variety of samples depending the readings from the alpha and beta brainwaves.
Mental Note is the name I gave to a project that I made for Yahoo HackU 2010. They come to Georgia Tech every year, and I thought it would be fun to compete. I was trying to come up with something, and I knew I wanted to do a hardware hack since I am not a CS major and a lot of the people who compete are like 3rd and 4th year CS majors (I was a 2nd year computer engineer). The competition was on Friday, and the Monday before, I started trying to come up with an idea. I remembered seeing the Star Wars Force Trainer when it came out and I really wanted to do something with it. Someone had done some work on reverse engineering the hardware and had found that the head piece used 3 contacts with the head to take an EEG. Then it sent the data wirelessly over a regular RF connection somewhere in the 2.4 GHz range. But most importantly, it turns out that there are header pins that were left in from testing and one of the pins gives a serial out! So it's really easy to interface with. That means you can control anything with your mind. So I started thinking, what would be cool to control with your mind. I thought maybe you could control Google Earth, or maybe update Facebook and Twitter with your mood, or maybe control a simple flash game. But all of those seemed like they might be too hard to control precisely, and they just didn't seem cool enough. So then I thought about playing certain songs based on your mood. If you felt happy, then play upbeat music, if you feel sad, play sad music. But I was afraid that once you started listening to a song, you would get stuck in that mood and wouldn't change. And then I realized that it would be way cooler if you could create music. After some more thinking and talking over it with a friend, I came up with Mental Note.Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!
May 18 2010, 3:00pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/05/18/composing-music-with-the-force-trainer/
In the ongoing quest to make the Force Trainer useful [Hunter Scott] developed a music composition platform for your mind (channel Jack Black’s voice for the last half of that sentence). Using the Force Trainer’s serial port [Hunter] feeds the data stream into a computer via an FTDI cable and uses Processing to make the music. It’s good, and the demos on his site are worth the click, but we still can’t get enough of the shocking video from back in March. But we digress, let [Hunter] walk you through his setup in the video after the break.
May 18 2010, 1:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/handmade_optical_theremin.html
Michael Una makes and sells these cool hand-held "Beep-It" synthesizers:
Beep-it Deluxe is a handmade optical theremin, housed in a handsome laser-cut bamboo case and featuring a big chrome button and 2nd oscillator for enhanced modulation.Beep-it Deluxe emits a square-wave tone reminiscent of 8-bit video game music. A light sensor determines the overall pitch of the instrument, while a knob on the side can be adjusted to induce a warble into the tone for all of your sci-fi and rhythmic needs.
Check the vid for action sights and sounds. Shown above is the Beep-It Deluxe; Michael also offers a basic model with the same functionality but a less flashy enclosure.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!May 14 2010, 5:03pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/04/28/part-arcade-part-guitar/
Finally a guitar that all of the arcade gaming geeks can jam with. [Mike Davenport] sent us his 8bit arcade based guitar for his senior project. Details are a little sparse if you intend to build you own at the moment, but he does mention the basics: such as it uses an FPGA for logic and function, the strings and joystick modify pitch, it has selectable waves and other parameters, and even includes save banks! Check out a video of him playing street fighter rocking out after the break.
April 28 2010, 6:33am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/make_asks_guitar_finishing.html
A few weeks ago, I picked up a LC-Style Guitar kit from the Maker Shed. I have always wanted this style of guitar, and the fact that it's a kit made me want it even more. The fist step to assembling the guitar is to finish all the wood components, and that's where I'm asking for your help.
The wood is absolutely beautiful, especially the edge-banded, arched maple top. I was thinking of applying some kind of clear finish, but that seems too simple. A sunburst always looks good on this style of guitar, but that seems too common. I want something that is one of a kind.
I would love to hear what kind of finish you think would make this a truly unique guitar. Better yet, do you know of a great resource for different finishing techniques? Have you made a guitar? Let me know in the comments. When I decide on a finish, I'll make sure to document the process and post it online. Thanks!
In the Maker Shed:
Check out all the Guitar kits in the Maker Shed
April 25 2010, 5:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/bundt_pan_resonator_guitar.html
This photo set of so called "trash can music" instruments is beautiful. I wish I could hear what they sound like. The guitar in the middle incorporates a bundt pan, a lunchbox, and some excellent woodworking skills. About the details, maker Mike Tracz says:
The f-holes were cut and filed by hand and the etching is a quick sand blast treatment. Just enough to rough it up without removing the protective coating.
In the Maker Shed
Saga Banjo Kit: 5 String Resonator
Saga's OK-2 Open-back Banjo kit offers any musician or hobbyist the thrill of accomplishment from building their very own professional quality custom banjo! All of the most difficult work has already been done for you and the clearly illustrated instructions make the process even easier.
April 23 2010, 10:30am | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/rakuchord_mobile_like_a_pocket_elec.html
Over at MAKE: Japan, Takumi Funada found this fun-looking open source hardware instrument called RakuChord Mobile. Instead of just generating simple tones, this project by Japanese Arduino enthusiast Ina is polyphonic, and allows a user to play both a chord backup line and melody at the same time. Google translate didn't seem to work on the XML project page, however both the source code and schematic are available there.
[via Make:Japan]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!April 21 2010, 8:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/homebrew_midi_piano_instructor.html
Alessandro Lambardi of 5volt built this excellent MIDI Piano Instructor to help his son play piano. Designed as a visual aide for learning to play new songs, it shows which keys to press by lighting an LED located over the key. He used an Atmel processor to decode an incoming MIDI signal (from either a computer training program or a remote instructor) and light the appropriate LEDs. He has an excellent write-up of the project on his site, explaining everything from the concept to how the circuit was built.
I'm quite impressed with the quality of the build, and his resourceful use of materials such as the LED bar made from a cable raceway.
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!April 20 2010, 9:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/how-to_make_a_trumpet.html
Our friend Steve Roberts sent us the link to this fellow showing you how you can make a pretty decent sounding trumpet out of a mouthpiece, a length of tubing, and a funnel. [Thanks, Steve!]
Guy Makes Do It Yourself Trumpet
April 17 2010, 5:01pm | More »
I posted to hackaday.com
http://hackaday.com/2010/04/15/solenoid-orchestra-led-a-by-laser-conductor/
This video brought a smile to our faces. [Griffin Milsap] is creating live music using an orchestra of solenoid instruments. Each solenoid is set up to strike an object such as a bowl or mug. The trigger mechanism is a light sensor inside of a ping-pong ball. The collection of instruments is conducted by a motor-mounted green laser. When the beam of light passes by one of the ping-pong balls the photo transistor inside actuates the solenoid and a note is played. The pitches are quite a bit more random than the Robo-vibe, but it’s delightful to hear the results that [Griffin] has achieved.
April 15 2010, 3:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/low_voltage_tube_headphone_amp.html
Gio, a MAKE subscriber from Winnipeg, Canada, sent us a link to this well-documented low voltage headphone amp project. The tube-based amp uses a single 12AU7 tube for voltage gain and a IRF510 MOSFET to supply current to drive the 'phones. The small hybrid amplifier operates off a 12V SLA (sealed lead-acid) battery, so there are no high voltage concerns. An LM317 regulator was used as a constant current source to bias the MOSFET into class-A operation. The amp can be built for about $40-50, less if recycled parts are used.
(Psyched to see the builder using the Grado SR60 headphones, my all-around, all-time faves.)
NP-100v12: 12AU7 (ECC82) / IRF510 Headphone Amp
April 13 2010, 7:01pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/stone_xylophone.html
Instead of being built with wood or metal, this unique xylophone (or rather, Lithophone), uses pieces of hornfels stone for sounding bars. Called the Musical Stones of Skiddaw, it is said to have been constructed in 1785 by Peter Crosthwaite, who found the stones near his home. Kind of like building a driftwood xylophone, but way more permanent. I'd love to see one in concert with a glass armonica, but fear it could lead to a disaster. [via notcot]
More:
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!April 13 2010, 4:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/8_step_waveform_editor.html
Australian chiptunes wizard Sebastian Tomczak built this DIY 8-Step Waveform Editor using just a few integrated circuits (ICs) and slider potentiometers. Each slider represents the amplitude of a waveform at one step of its cycle, and since there are eight sliders, there are eight positions in the waveform. So, how does it work?
The waveform is made by switching quickly between the eight voltages set by the slide potentiometers, which are configured as voltage dividers. To do this, he started by generating a clock signal using a Schmitt trigger comparator in an astable oscillator configuration. The inverted output from the Schmitt trigger is connected to it's input through an RC network, which causes it to flip back and forth, because whenever the output charges or discharges the capacitor, it causes the output of the Schmitt trigger to flip over, starting the cycle over again. The speed of this oscillation is controlled by adjusting potentiometer R1.
Next, this clock signal is fed into a 4040 ripple counter, which counts the clock cycles, and outputs the total number in binary. The lowest thee bits (representing numbers 0-7) are fed to an 4051n analog multiplexer chip, which uses that number to select the correct slider input, and connect it directly to the output. The result is that the voltage from each slider is connected to the output for one clock cycle, and if the clock is fast enough, it sounds like a wave. It's a really simple way to create a complex sound!
Also, It's hard to tell from the video, but the whole thing is pretty DIY- even the container that the potentiometers are mounted to is actually an upside-down plastic storage bin! He's also modified the circuit a bit more to make a Periodic Waveform Editor via Hardware.
In the Maker Shed:
Make: Electronics
Our Price: $34.99
Want to learn the fundamentals of electronics in a fun and experiential way? Start working on some excellent projects as soon as you crack open this unique, hands-on book. Build the circuits first, then learn the theory behind them! With Make: Electronics, you'll learn all of the basic components and important principles through a series of "learn by discovery" experiments. And you don't need to know a thing about electricity to get started.
April 9 2010, 1:30pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/the_trees_are_alive_with_the_sound.html
Or at least they are, if you know where to look for it. Diego Stocco made this short composition Music From A Bonsai by tapping, rustling, bowing, and plucking various parts of a Bonsai tree. The only sound equipment used was a multitrack editor. Impressive work!
I always liked bonsai trees, and I was curious to try the approach I used for "Music from a Tree" on a smaller scale, so I bought a bonsai and recorded this little experimental piece.To determine the key I used the lowest note I could play and recorded the rest around it.
Besides playing the leaves, I used bows of different sizes, a piano hammer and a paint brush.
As far as microphones I used my Røde NT6, a customized stethoscope and tiny MEAS piezo transducers.I played all the sounds and rhythms only with the bonsai, I didn't use any synthesizer or samplers to create or modify the sounds. I hope you'll like it.
[via Theo's Gallimaufry]
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!April 2 2010, 9:00pm | More »
I posted to blog.makezine.com
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/03/beatfeat_shoes_that_record_your.html
Spotted in the MAKE Flickr pool:
Arturo Vidich and Eric Mika built these musical shoes, called beat feet. They come complete with a loop recorder hat!
Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Music | Digg this!March 25 2010, 8:00pm | More »
