MAKE: Blog: Building a musical ensemble out of car parts

Building a musical ensemble out of car parts

Focusensemble

Peter writes -

I got a chance to talk to sound designer Bill Milbrodt, who led the team that created musical instruments from parts of a Ford Focus. He talked about how his Car Music Project has constructed new instruments out of first an Accord (quintet) and now a 31-piece orchestra made from a Ford. Interestingly, some people doubted the sounds in the ad were coming from these instruments, but in a follow up Bill explained that, yes, they really are.

Most interesting, though, is the way in which the 22-person fabrication team had to find a balance between what was unique in the car and some of the timbres that come from conventional, classical instruments -- and thus had to tackle the challenge of making everything sound right in tune!

Building a musical ensemble out of car parts - Link.

More:

The Car Music Project - Link.
Milbrodt Music, Bill’s page - Link.
Yes, Virginia, There Really is a Ford Car Part Musical Ensemble - Link.

Related:

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: TheSalmonator on February 8, 2008 at 5:07 PM

Reminded me of something being done like this before. Was done and surprisingly well documented in Auto Re-Vision

Posted by: Halbfleisch on February 9, 2008 at 1:28 PM

I really loved the Spot from the first time i saw it on TV

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!

Get MAKE 14 - Subscribe or on newsstands!

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!

Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
Tel: 707-827-7311

Gareth Branwyn
Robot Maker

Kip Kay
Video Maker

Jonah Brucker-Cohen
Artist / Researcher

Suggest a Site!

Natalie Zee Drieu
Senior Editor
CRAFT

Becky Stern
Culture jammer

Collin Cunningham
Sound Maker

Marc de Vinck
CNC Maker

Current Podcast

Weekend Project: Styrofoam Plate Speaker Get surprisingly good sound from disposable picnicware with this easy to make and inexpensive Styrofoam Plate Speaker. Thanks go to José Pino for the original article in Make Magazine.To download Styrofoam Plate Speaker MP4 click here or subscribe in... 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: attendees, makers, exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers, and crew...it was AMAZING! Over 400 Makers and 60,000+ attendees! Be sure to check out the photos @ Flickr, and our Maker Faire posts for all the action! The next scheduled Maker Faire is Austin: Oct. 18th & 19th, 2008 - Travis County Expo Center!