strange synthesizers

Jack DeYoung has posted his take on the Weirdest Guitars In The World, and after taking a look, all I can say is that guitarists are a pretty conservative bunch.

You haven’t seen weird, until you’ve seen some of the bizarre synth contraptions that keyboardists and electronic musicians have come up with.

In fact, some of these instruments are so weird, we’re not even sure if they are synthesizers!

Take a look at this twisted synthfest, and you be the judge.

The Thingamakit

The Thingamakit isn’t like other synthesizers – it’s an anthropomorphic robot synth that you make yourself.

It can make all sorts of weird noises – but the best part is that every Thingamakit synth is different!

The Sexy Touch-Based Music Synthesizer

Rory Harnden’s Body Music is a visual demonstration of a touch-based music synthesizer.

While you may be thinking of new and interesting ways of making this baby squeal, we like it because it demonstrates how synth sounds can be modulated based on skin contact.

Moaning Lisa

Matt Ganucheau’s Moaning Lisa, right, is quite possibly the strangest electronic music instrument ever created.

Part shock art, part artificial intelligence and part musical instrument, Moaning Lisa challenges you on many levels.

Ganucheau explains:

“The process leading to a female orgasm is a uniquely delicate challenge for both sexes leaving it a mystery to most men and women.”

“Moaning Lisa is an instillation that examines this complex process by simplifying it into an almost game-like state. With Lisa, as in life, there are no instructions on display. This leaves each participant to discover how Lisa’s true sexual potential is unlocked.”

More info, with video, here.

The Steampunk Synthesizer

This steampunk synthesizer is inspired by Jules Verne and features etched brass control panels, so you can hyper-modulate the oscillators and travel back in time in style.

The TM-7 Ultra-Distortion Scrotum Smasher

Eric Barbour is hell-bent on putting tubes where they don’t belong, and the TM-7 Ultra-Distortion Scrotum Smasher is no exception.

The TM-7 is one of Barbour’s strange lineup of synth module/guitar pedals designed to explore new ways of using vacuum tubes for audio.

Checking the controls, you’ll find:

• Smash
• Scrotum
• Double Scrotum
• Mega Scrotum and…..
• Scrotum Up Ya Ass

If you think that the TM-7 might be a nice effect to feed your new age pad patches through, Barber notes “There is no bypass. Only Zu’ul.”

Circuit Bent Farrah Fawcett

There’s no comparison to making music with the head of Farrah Fawcett, one of 13 bizarre circuit-bent children’s toys. Read more…