electromechanical instrument

Tonewheels is an experiment in converting graphical imagery to sound, inspired by some of the pioneering 20th Century electronic music inventions.

In this three day workshop from 24-27 October 2009 in Bulgaria, participants built a simple light-to-sound converter and DC motor controller, and then began to experiment with drawing sounds onto transparent “tonewheels”. The workshop ended in a group performance and an invitation to the audience to try out the instruments for themselves.

This compilation video showcases the electromechanical sound sculptures and installations of Zimoun.

Seeburg Style H Orchestrion plays Barney Google

The largest and most ornate American built orchestrion, the J P Seeburg model H, performs in the shop of Reblitz Restorations as the staff readies the instrument for delivery.

Somebody needs to get ahold of one of these and “repurpose it” for modern music, don’t you think?

via ampicoab

Nervous Squirrel’s circuit bent mechanical Furby sequencer linked to a Korg SQ-10.

One of a new batch of four Furby Gurdies. This model allows you to program your own rhythms by rearranging screws inserted into the four wheels.

There is also a ‘trigger out’ socket, which has been used in the last section of the video to operate an old sequencer and synthesiser.

The Parker Steam Synthesizer is a steampunk-style coal-fired steam synth. (video)

The steam synth runs on coal, Esbit Tablets (hexamine), Ethanol or Propane.

It requires a pretty constant, hot fire to keep the synth going continuously. The boiler can build up to 40-50psi before the safety valve opens.

The pressure delivered to the engine is controlled by a ball valve seen between the boiler and the engine. The dynamo is much like a brushless, permanent magnet motor which is spun by a belt attached to the flywheel. This creates an alternating magnetic field which is turned into electricity by an inductive pickup.

The steam synthesizer does not use any electricity — only steam power. In fact it generates electricity! It generates about 6 watts of AC at high pressure and speed.

The steam synthesizer runs for about 20 minutes on one tank of water.

via DeviantSynth