MAKE: Blog: Otto project amplifies hidden sounds

Otto project amplifies hidden sounds

"Otto" which means "ear" in Greek, is a device that amplifies hidden sounds in the environment using suction cups and magnets. Used as multiple units, the project can produce a layered sonic experience through emitting ambient sounds. Pretty interesting idea for creating a musical performance of sorts, we just wonder exactly how melodic the resulting sound could be or if it would just result in a lot of white noise.

Madsounds / Otto - Link, [via]

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Mark Rehorst on January 16, 2008 at 9:46 AM

Insects communicate by vibrating the surfaces they stand on more commonly than via sounds in the air. A vibratory pick-up placed on a plant where there are insects will pick up all sorts of interesting sounds.

Rex Cocroft at U of Missouri, Columbia has done a lot of research in this area and has been featured on NPR.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5424281

Posted by: Dorothy Gale on January 16, 2008 at 10:40 AM

Oto means ear. Otto is some german name.

Posted by: Lord Yo on January 16, 2008 at 1:17 PM

Any idea where one can listen to sample sounds from Otto? The sample sound links on the Madsounds page point to nowhere.

Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now

Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out... Welcome to the Make Blog!

Features and more @ MAKE!

Stop by the Maker Shed store and check out THE place for open source hardware, Arduino & Arduino accessories, electronic kits, science kits, smart stuff for kids, back issues of MAKE & CRAFT, box sets, books, robots, kits from Japan and more.

Add MAKE to iGoogle - GoogleGoogle.
Add MAKE to your RSS reader - Real simple.
Add MAKE on Twitter.
Add MAKE on FriendFeed & the MAKE room.

Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!

Click here to advertise on MAKE!

Makezine authors!

Suggest a Site!

Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
Tel: 707-827-7311
Twitter / AIM

Gareth Branwyn
Jonah Brucker-Cohen
Collin Cunningham
Marc de Vinck
Kip Kay
Luke Iseman
Patti Schiendelman
Becky Stern
Mike Dixon
Peter Horvath(intern)

Current Podcast

The Best of Maker Faire Austin 2008 Check out all the fun and excitement at this year's Maker Faire in Austin, Texas. People from all over the world came to experience this amazing event. Take a look at some of the highlights and make plans to... More...

Get the Make blog sent via email

Enter your email to receive the Make blog each day:

WOW! Thanks to everyone involved with Maker Faire Bay Area and Maker Faire Austin in 2008: attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was an AMAZING year! Over 1,000 Makers and 87,000+ attendees total! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! Check back for dates for 2009 soon!