Category: Electronic Instruments

Game Of Thrones Theme On 8-Bit NES Keytar! Plus – Friggin’ MIDI-Controlled Lasers!

This video, via Greig (Theremin Hero), captures an 8-bit NES Keytar performance of the Game Of Thrones theme – with MIDI-controlled lasers. Greig’s NESKeytar is a cross between an original Nintendo console, a Guitar Hero controller and a miniature toy keyboard. The hybrid instrument fully utilities the NES sound chip to produce lo-fi arpeggios, heard in this tribute… Read More Game Of Thrones Theme On 8-Bit NES Keytar! Plus – Friggin’ MIDI-Controlled Lasers!

11 Comments

Brain-Controlled Russian Music Robot – The Turbo-Gusli

Reader Dmitry Morozov, aka vtol, has created a new robotic instrument, the Turbo Gusli. The Gusli is a sort of Russian zither. Morozov has updated the instrument with robotics, electronics and Arduino control. He’s even tried out brain-control, using an EEG headset. Here’s a demo of the Turbo-Gusli in action:

2 Comments

Korg Volca Beats Design Offers Flexible Voicing, Easy Mods – If You Don’t Mind Voiding Your Warranty

Over the weekend, we shared information about a mod reader Darren Glen identified for the Korg Volca Beats. He noticed that there was an empty spot on the Volca Beats’ circuit board, and that modding the board by placing a capacitor in the empty spot resulted in a ‘crisper’ snare sound. Because of this, Glen speculated… Read More Korg Volca Beats Design Offers Flexible Voicing, Easy Mods – If You Don’t Mind Voiding Your Warranty

35 Comments

Building An Artificial Soundscape With Robotic Insects

Cicadas is a sound art project, created by Berlin-based musician/sound artist Bob Meanza, that explores the idea of creating artificial ambient soundscapes with robotic insects. The project is based on small, battery-powered ‘insects’, which are built using programmed AVR microcontrollers and sound emitting components (relays, piezos, buzzers…). 

4 Comments

Roger Linn – LinnStrument & The Revolution In Multidimensional Music Controllers

At Moogfest 2014, Roger Linn gave a presentation on The LinnStrument & The Revolution In Multidimensional Music Controllers. Linn has a long track record of innovative instrument designs. He helped define the modern drum machine with the LinnDrum. He created the Music Production Workstation MPC, giving musicians a new way to work with samples. And… Read More Roger Linn – LinnStrument & The Revolution In Multidimensional Music Controllers

28 Comments