Category: Machines/Robots

ArcAttack’s musical Tesla coils (shocking!) »

From Austin, Texas: An advanced composition of Tesla coils, robotic drums, and a computer controlled, self-resonating pipe organ makes ArcAttack and Resonance Studios one wildly electrifying group of sounds. Their main venue is the club/dance/spirit scene and I could definitely picture ArcAttack performing downtown with some high budget videography (as if the 10ft [...]

The Synterface: A student project by Tom »

Before we get into the details of your instrument, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Tom: I studied at Leeds Metropolitan University, doing a Music Technology degree. This was the final project, in my final year. It was a group project by myself and three other music technology students.
Please tell us about your instrument and [...]

Banned musical instrument “causes insanity” »

The glass armonica’s ghostly notes will cause insanity in its musicians and listeners! At least this is what was thought to be true in the 18th century. People were frightened by the armonica’s sound due to it’s strange interactions with the human brain and ears (more on this later). Benjamin Franklin invented the [...]

Tension guitar »

Another wonderful homemade instrument from Ranjit on vimeo. The pitch of the note is controlled by a solenoid motor which changes the tension of the wire as it is strummed by an automatic strummer. Check out Ranjit’s actual website at moonmilk.com

Automatic music machine emulates recorded sounds »

From Ranjit on Vimeo comes a very strange instrument. From Ranjit:

Simple automatic instruments are constructed from local materials and objects on site. The system learns the sounds it can make by trying out its instruments, and then uses its range of sounds to try to reproduce the rhythmic and melodic qualities of sounds such [...]

The Dual Primate Console »

Dewanatron is composed of two cousins, Brian and Leon Dewan. In this video, they are playing one of their homemade instruments, the Dual Primate Console.

Each side of this instrument is operated by one primate. Each side has identical controls, except for a single tempo control on the side.

It is the responsibility of each primate [...]