Strange electronic instruments - E & T Magazine

1 de 5

http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2011/11/one2ten.cfm

The Institution of Engineering and Technology

Remember me

Register

Engineering and Technology Magazine

HOME
MAGAZINE
Latest issue
Past issues
NEWS
BLOGS
TECHNICAL
White papers
Case studies
Contribute
EXPLORE
Energy
Transport
Communications
IT
Built environment
Design and production
Electronics
Consumer technology
Management
Students/Early career
WEBINARS
vol 6, issue 11

Strange electronic instruments

14 November 2011
By Erika Burrows
Share |

Related articles
Oramics to Electronica
Audio and technological mythology
Audio formats in the 21st century
Vinyl audio - the format that would not die
Music production in the 2010s
Browse issues
Electronic instruments can often sound even more unusual than they look. Here are ten of the most peculiar.

24/04/2015 11:37 p.m.

Strange electronic instruments - E & T Magazine

2 de 5

http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2011/11/one2ten.cfm

2. AudioCubes are self-powered, palm-sized cubes

that connect to a personal computer to enable a
musician to control sounds and music sequences.
This is done by manipulating the position and
angle of the cubes, which work wirelessly with
each other using four onboard infrared sensors,
and altering the distance between them. One cube
remains connected, acting as a facilitator between the others and the computer. Each cube is identical and is assigned a colour and purpose
upon connection with a PC; an unlimited number of cubes can be used at one time. The cubes are provided along with a variety of software
programs, enabling the musician to use them in very versatile and unique ways. They can also be used as MIDI controllers or, alternatively,
can produce their own sounds via their inbuilt synthesis engines.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z86RkGMAV1M&feature=related
3. Originally used by The Lyle and Sparkleface Band, the Bikelophone is constructed from a standard bicycle and customised with a number of
additions: bass strings, scrap wood and metal, metal bowls, telephone bells, a mechanical foot pedal and a touch-sensitive tone generator.
Sound compositions can be built up in layers using a loop-based recording system and outboard signal processors.
http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om06400.html
4. The Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee, a variation of a MIDI controller, was invented and patented by Leon Gruenbaum. Unlike other
MIDI controllers, where each key on the keyboard would denote a fixed pitch, each key on the Samchillian Tip Tip Tip Cheeepeeeee denotes a
change of pitch, for example the '+1' key, which when pressed sounds the note one higher than the last note played; another is the '-2' key, and
so on. Playing these two keys in rapid succession would result in a sound pattern that spirals down the keyboard. A number of different scales,
including microtonal scales and key signatures, are available for the musician to experiment with, meaning that once a pattern has been
established, it can be played in any key or scale without the need to relearn fingering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAAhQMU2918&feature=related
5. The Serpentine Bassoon is an unusual conical bore instrument made from two sheets of polished leather. It originated in Australia and is
played with a normal bassoon crook and double reed. Being such a malleable material, leather can be wet-formed into the desired shape and
then heat-dried to provide a good acoustically reflective surface. The sounds of the serpentine bassoon are modified with pickups, pressure and
movement sensors; all of which can be used to help produce unusual noises such as sirens, echoes, warbling and wild animal cries.
http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om24775.html
6. The Reactable is a round translucent table with a backlit display that is designed to be used in darkened rooms. It is operated by placing a block
or tangible on the surface of the table, with each tangible representing a different module of an analogue synthesiser such as a sequencer or
voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). When contact between the tangible and table is made, animated symbols appear which allow the musician
to control the output of the tangible with his/her fingertips in order to manipulate the sounds being produced. The Reactable works by reading
fiducials, printed black and white images, from the underside of the tangibles via a video camera built into the table and sending the data to a
computer. A video projector is also built into the table that projects the display onto the underside of the translucent tabletop. A version of the
Reactable is currently available for the iPad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNeCHI4NAzw&feature=related
7. An Incantor is created using circuit-bending to short-circuit any audio device with a human voice synthesiser, a child's electronic reader for
example, in order to fashion a new instrument. Endless abstract sound sequences can be created that are unique to each device and, as such, no
two Incantors are the same.
http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om19700.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0_EE4Ne4DQ&feature=related
8. The Moodswinger is a 12-string instrument created by Yuri Landman in 2006. Although it is very similar in appearance to an electric guitar,
the Moodswinger has no proper neck or frets so is actually a zither with an additional third bridge. Unlike an electric guitar, its pick-up and
electronics are actually built into the neck instead of the body, where they are stored in a traditional electric guitar. Landman invented it after
he was contacted by the band Liars to custom-make an instrument for them: he made two Moodswingers and kept one for himself. The
additional third bridge is actually a rod which divides the strings into two segments with two different pitches, creating an overtone

24/04/2015 11:37 p.m.

Strange electronic instruments - E & T Magazine

3 de 5

http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2011/11/one2ten.cfm

multiphonic sound. In 2009, Landman created a version called the Homeswinger for use in workshops. Participants could make a simplified
working copy within a four-hour tutorial. The Liars began using this instrument when recording their fourth album 'Liars' and the instrument
can clearly be heard in the song 'Leather Prowler', which listeners often confuse with the sound of a piano. In 2008, the Moodswinger was
released as a serial product. Other famous owners include Jessie Stein of the Luyas, and the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ-YNPbM0Fo
http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om21600.html
9. Created by Isaac Zal, the Harmonic Generator is an experimental electronic instrument consisting of five main components: 64'chromatically
tuned piano strings produce 32'notes; 32 corresponding motors hover over the strings, rotating bristle paint brushes from 600-2,000 revolutions
per minute; a homemade keyboard played like a piano controls the motors; 12 pick-ups focus on one octave of strings; and a transducer at the
end of the instrument feeds back the sound of the pick-ups into the'large resonance hull. The resulting sound of this instrument has been
described as 'a symphony inside the belly of a whale'.
10. The most widely known electronic instrument, the Theremin is named after its Russian creator, Professor Leon Theremin, who patented the
device in 1928. It was the product of Russian government-sponsored research into proximity sensors after the outbreak of the Russian civil
war. Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin was so impressed with Theremin's findings that he took lessons to learn how to play the instrument, and
consequently commissioned 600 to be distributed throughout the Soviet Union. Its eerie sound has been used in numerous film and TV
soundtracks, including 'Midsomer Murders'. The Theremin is played without being touched: two metal antennas sense the position of the
musician's hands, with one controlling frequency and the other amplitude. The signals are then amplified and sent to a loudspeaker. The
Theremin was a direct inspiration for the now infamous Moog synthesisers, after creator Robert Moog became a Theremin enthusiast in high
school. Famous musicians who have used the instrument include Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones. Comedian Bill Bailey also used the
instrument at the Royal Albert Hall.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5qf9O6c20o
Related forum discussions
To start a discussion topic about this article, please log in or register.

Share |

Latest Issue

"How do you feel about the Internet of Things, big data, wearables, gamification or self-driving cars? Hyper excited or just plain bored?"
Find E&T on:

News
Most viewed
From forums

News
New railway signalling system vulnerable to hackers, says expert
Apple Watch finally goes on sale worldwide
Bespoke electric taxi for tropical cities unveiled
Formula One device to help save energy in supermarkets
Googles rise in profits bolstered by ads

Most viewed
New railway signalling system vulnerable to hackers, says expert
Safest bike ever designed by UK inventor
Contact centres 'missing data analytics advantage'
India plasma research centre promises sun-like energy
Healthcare and wearable technology: monitoring the connected body
IET Vice President named Rolls-Royce CEO

24/04/2015 11:37 p.m.

Strange electronic instruments - E & T Magazine

4 de 5

http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2011/11/one2ten.cfm

From forums
Test [06:22 pm 20/03/15]
Test [06:20 pm 20/03/15]
What to Specialise in Electronics Engineering?? [03:02 am 03/04/14]
Britain to have just one remaining coal pit by the end of 2015 [01:11 am 03/04/14]
LV Generator Star point earthing - UK [08:35 pm 02/04/14]

E&T jobs
Scientific Software Engineer
Radar Systems R&D
Met Office - Exeter, United
Kingdom
Maritime Safety Engineer
Atkins - Bristol, United Kingdom
Electrical Engineering
Opportunities
MIRA - Midlands, United
Kingdom
Search jobs

E&T Marketplace
The essential source of engineering products and suppliers.
Find out more

E&T podcasts

Subscribe
Choose the way you would like to access the latest news and developments in your field.

About E&T
About us
Contacts
Subscribe
Advertise

Join us on:
Twitter
YouTube
Flickr
Wordpress
Facebook

Magazine
Latest issue

24/04/2015 11:37 p.m.

Strange electronic instruments - E & T Magazine

5 de 5

http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2011/11/one2ten.cfm

Debate
Reviews

Past issues
Recent issues

Explore
Energy
Transport
IT
Communications
Design & Production
Built Environment
Electronics
Consumer technology
Students/Early career
Managers

Other
News
Forums
Blogs
Videos
iPad

About the IET

Become an IET member

IET websites
IET Home
IET Electrical Installation
IET Faraday
IET Venues
E&T
E&T Jobs
E&T Marketplace
Help| Privacy| Cookies| Accessibility| Legal|

2015 The Institution of Engineering and Technology.

IET Services Limited is registered in England. Registered office: Savoy Place, London, WC2R 0BL. Registration number 909719.
IET Services Limited is trading as a subsidiary of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, which is registered as a charity in England & Wales
(no 211014) and Scotland (no SC038698).

24/04/2015 11:37 p.m.