Ondes Martenot

AudioLemon found this video which may be the first use of an electronic instrument in a film soundtrack – L’Idee (1932).

It features prominent use of the Ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument, in a score by Arthur Honegger.

This is the third video by Dana Countryman documenting the creating and use of his amazing synth DIY project – an Ondes Martenot.

The Ondes Martenot is a unique musical instrument invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot and originally very similar in sound to the theremin.

via happymoogman:

In this video, I show the left-hand volume control, and give an overview of the entire system.

At the end, I play “Ave Maria” on the instrument, live in my studio.

More info at http://www.danacountryman.com

Don’t miss the previous two videos, Building An Ondes Martenot & Dana Countryman’s Ondes Martenot Ring Controller Project.

via Thomas Bloch:

Formule is one of the most virtuosistic piece written for solo ondes Martenot, composed by and played here by the French multi-instrumentalist Thomas Bloch (ondes Martenot, glassharmonica, cristal Baschet), who has played as well with Radiohead, Gorillaz and John Cage.

Video recorded live in the Barbican Center, London (October 2007).

Other names : Ones Martenot (Catalan), Ondas Martenot (Spain, Portugal), Martenot waves (English), Onde Martenot (Italy), Fale Martenota (Poland) – wrong name : Martinot

happymoogman Dana Countryman gives an overview of his awesome DIY project, his take on the Ondes Martenot:

Here is part two of my progress, building an Ondes Martenot-style controller for my modular synthesizer.

Feel free to use my ideas, but no, I will not be building one for you!

I built this around my beloved DX-7, but it only uses that keyboard for visual reference, while playing the ring controller. You could use ANY keyboard for your own reference. – Dana Countryman

See this post for the first part of Countryman’s Ondes Martenot project coverage.

The Ondes Martenot (French for “Martenot waves) is an early electronic musical instrument, invented in 1928 by Maurice Martenot and originally very similar in sound to the theremin.

The sonic capabilities of the instrument were subsequently expanded by the addition of timbral controls and switchable loudspeakers. The instrument’s eerie wavering notes are oscillating frequencies produced by thermionic valves.

The video above offers an overview of the rarely heard Ondes Martenot from one of the world’s foremost masters of the instrument, Jean Laurendeau.

Resources:

• Analogue Systems‘ French Connection keyboard has many things in common with the Ondes Martenot.
• l’Ondéa is a modern take on the Ondes Martenot