Start the new year off right with a visit to ZProd, the home of electronic artist Paul Granjon. Granjon creates unique machines, some of which are part robot, part musical instrument, and part performance art. Techno Inferno is a miniature electro-mechanical drum machine that produces a 3-minute long techno track. A streaming film demonstrates how… Read More Robot Skull Techno Drum Machine
iPod cases are starting to get…well, a little kinky. Fluffpod has introduced Fluffpod video, a furry iPod case for Apple’s latest iPod, available in white or pink. Also available for download is a Fluffpod video QuickTime movie, a short film that features a model getting dressed to go out, and then lovingly caressing her Fluffpod.… Read More iPod Cases Get Kinky
Holly Daggers, a video/media artist and live VJ, has add VJ Comix to her site. Superstar VJ follows her travels with Busta Rhymes, Miri Ben Ari, the All Mighty Senators and Scratch Makananiks. Superstar VJ is a sort of blog in graphic novel format. Daggers delves into her setup, including a section on dealing with… Read More VJ Comix: The Life of a VJ in Graphic Novel Form
ElectroKraft has introduced the Sonar*Axe, an “experimental sci-fi MIDI controller using a sonar sensor to detect hand position (generating notes), and a photocell to generate changes in note octave.” The Sonar*Axe can be used to control any MIDI-compatible device. ElectroKraft specializes in machines “designed to alter, change and morph the standard canned sounds of any… Read More ElectroKraft Intros Sonar*Axe Sci-Fi Instrument
Ray Wilson’s Music From Outer Space site has added a new synth DIY project, the Weird Sound Generator. As Wilson describes it, “Whether you need weird sounds for a movie, performance art, neighbor annoyance, or you just like making weird sounds in the woods this circuit is for you. You could put this on a… Read More Music From Outer Space Weird Sound Generator.
iPods seem to be showing up everywhere, but this seems to be a first. Not the half-naked guy playing air-guitar, but underwear for music fans. Play Underwear has introduced the iBoxer – iPod-ready underwear. The Play iBoxer is a cotton/spandex blend button fly boxer, with a discreet front pocket which is perfect for holding an… Read More iPod Boxers Fill Your Pants with Music
Not only can synths emit dangerous white noise, but they can destroy your house and home and even threaten your life. According to the Brockville Recorder & Times, Thia Thompson was asleep in her upstairs bedroom when she was awakened by her smoke detector. Fire Chief Bill Lawrence said that it’s likely that the smoke… Read More Smoke Detector Saves Woman From Synth
Scientists at Keio University in Japan are pioneering new types of clothing, inspired by analog synthesis, that can change color to match various outfits. The hi-tech clothing is an example of current research into wearable computers. A color-shifting “chameleon shawl”, developed by Akira Wakita, incorporates red, blue and green light-emitting dioedes(LEDs). By varying the brightness… Read More Japanese Experimenting with Wearable Synthesis
Toto Japan has introduced the ultimate toilet seat/MP3 player, the Apricot series toilet seat. Not content to settle for the usual high-tech toilet gadgets, such as a seat-heater, automatic washer and robotic action, Toto has added a full-fledged MP3 player with SD card slot. We’re not making this up. The control panel can be attached… Read More MP3 Players go to the Toilet
Toshiba has developed the first gas-powered MP3 player. Before you plan on gassing up your player, though, keep in mind that the device is a proof-of-concept developed to highlight the capabilities of new portable fuel-cell technology. Toshiba Corporation has developed two prototype direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) units and begun tests to validate their operation… Read More First Gas-Powered MP3 Player
