The Magnetovore Magnetic Cello

Magnetovore has released a new demo video for their Magnetic Cello, featuring cellist Ben Sollee

“In the last year, we’ve begun working with professional musicians to really test to potential of our instrument, and we’ve continued to build more instruments by hand,” notes Magnetovore’s David Levi.

The Magnetic Cello combines the playing style of the cello with magnetic articulation, a new way to control sound using the motion of magnets. Pressing along the ribbon with the left hand control pitch, and moving a magnetic bow about the copper coil changes volume.

See the Magnetovore site for details.

3 thoughts on “The Magnetovore Magnetic Cello

  1. This is an interesting concept – but this demo also makes me think the developer is heading into ‘uncanny valley’ territory, where the more it sounds like a real cello, the more you realize that it isn’t a real cello.

    If you’re going to have an magnetic cello, why not create sounds that really expand the sonic territory that is available to cello players?

  2. That’s weird and I like it, isn’t the bow a bit short though?
    You can’t do really long notes here and loose the benefit of a “bowed” instrument.

  3. I do like the idea and the organic electro sound. It sounds almost like playing pure electricity.
    It only resembles a cello in the position it’s being played in. It could be a steel guitar played horizontally.
    To me, a cello is one of the most expressive instruments but this is not.

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