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Archive: Music
October 7, 2008
Arduino shield triggers a gameboy with any MIDI device
This cool shield hack for the Arduino controller called the "ArduinoBoy" lets you interface it to any MIDI input to trigger sounds on a standard Gameboy. To get started, just use an existing Arduino protoshield, and scrap the breadboard for some custom circuitry and components outlined at the link below.
ArduinoBoy, via Create Digital Music
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 7, 2008 05:00 AM
Arduino, Arts, Gaming, Music |
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October 6, 2008
Ocarina from soda can
Ranjit made a one-minute tutorial on turning a diet coke can into an ocarina - the "Diet Cocarina." Doesn't sound great, but hey, it's a start!
Posted by Becky Stern |
Oct 6, 2008 07:00 PM
DIY Projects, Music |
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October 2, 2008
Gameboy theremin will space out your Donkey Kong tracks
This 4 Oscillator Opto-Theremin is built into a standard Nintendo Gameboy using a Quad 4093 Schmitt Trigger IC, 4 1uf electrolytic caps, 4 Photo-Resistors in the 140k Ohm Range, and 4 Diodes. Check out the rather small video on the link below to see it in action and listen to the effect it produces. Pretty cool build with lots of details on each step.
4 Oscillator Opto-Theremin build into a Gameboy
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 2, 2008 06:00 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Gaming, Music |
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Play guitar with your tube lights
The "Optron" is a flickering noise making device that consists of a flourescent tube light plugged into an array of effects pedals so that it can play like a radioactive guitar. Watch the video to get the full effect of this beast.
via Pink Tentacle
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Oct 2, 2008 05:00 AM
Arts, Made On Earth, Music |
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October 1, 2008
Dynamic music via mental control
The gentleman in the above may at first appear to be wearing earmuffs while staring in disgust at a digital jukebox - but he's not.
He's demonstrating Musinaut's MXP4 dynamic audio format and providing biofeedback via software monitored brainwave behavior. The interface is by Neurosky, a company that made news with their proprietary neural sensor algorithms in recent times.
Hmmm, doesn't appear to be an outright pleasurable musical experience as of yet, but we'll give it some time. [via Synthtopia]
More:
Brainwaves become commands
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Oct 1, 2008 04:30 PM
Music |
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Kaossilator for MIDI control
Here'sa blunt but effective way to get the Korg Kaossilator to speak serially - use an audio->MIDI converter -
Finally, thanks to internet, I found a Pure data patch to convert the kaossilator to midi data ! So I have now a kaossilator, and an XY midi touch pad for the price of a single kaossilator !! Great !Seems that audio to MIDI patch we covered a while back is proving useful for more than just theremins - Kaossilator MIDI via Google translate, original page in French
[…]
Get midiyoke.
Get Puredata.
Get the pure data patch. (see web page)
Put your kaossilator out to your pc (mic or line in)
On pure data, select the midi "out to midiYoke 1"
On your host(fruity loops or other) select "midiYoke 1" as your midi in.
The channel are the 14th and the 15th.
You might need to fine tune the range of the CC in the patch ; they must go from 0 to 127.
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Oct 1, 2008 06:30 AM
Music |
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Kaisatsuko by Yuichi Onoue
Think of the Kaisatsuko as a fiddle without a bow. Yuichi Onoue turns a wheel that vibrates the strings, which in turn creates the sound. So who can be the first to name the song he is playing? No cheating!
Since the basic sound signal of the instrument can be sent through an amplifier, its sound can be altered by various effects and played in a number of different musical styles. The neck of the Kaisatsuko does not have frets on it, so Yuichi can use various slide techniques to give it a sound reminiscent of many traditional Asian musical instruments.
Read more about the Kaisatsuko by Yuichi Onoue
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Oct 1, 2008 02:00 AM
Arts, Music |
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September 30, 2008
Casio SK-1 rail-contact roundabout bend-a-roo
Wow, Gijs' mechanical circuit-bent Casio is starting to resemble an amusement park ride. Nice use of a motor/drag contact for sound, and apparently this instrument does more than just that -
It has also got a video out, The video out is basically just the signals from the patch bay going throe a 1k resistor and a diode.. i dont know if this is necessary.. but seemed right.. video signal is around 1 volts and the pins from the casio chip are 5.. so its a bit dangerous (maybe.. maybe-not).. My equipment has not broken jet..Click onward for the deets - Circuit-bent Casio SK-1
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 30, 2008 02:00 PM
Music |
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Generate house music with the number Pi

The "Pi House Generator" by Texas-based artist Paul Slocum is a software system that randomly generates house music using the number Pi. The software calculates the sequence of digits in Pi and feeds the resuls into an algorithmic music generator containing the structural driteria or recipe for house music.
The resulting music is pretty funky and you can listen to a sample here.
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Sep 30, 2008 05:00 AM
Arts, Music |
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Homebrew iPhone MIDI controller
From the MAKE Flickr photo pool
MIDI is definitely in the air of late - well, actually these are OSC messages being sent via bluetooth and converted to MIDI via OSC-MIDI Bridge software. See more of the iPhone projects Flickr member Recotana's been up to on his photostream
More:
i3L MIDI bridge for the iPhone
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 30, 2008 05:00 AM
iPhone, Music |
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September 29, 2008
Controlling a Sega Mega Drive with MIDI
Sebastian's work interfacing with old Sega hardware for sound synthesis seems to be paying off - and the results sound quite nice -
In this video, the Sega Mega Drive II is controlled via the MIDI keyboard controller. Various parameters can be controlled from the keyboard, as one can hear in the video.- Sega Mega Drive MIDI Keyboard Video
His research even brings the iconic blue hedgehog under musical control.
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 29, 2008 03:00 PM
Gaming, Music |
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Artwork crackles with patchbay architecture
The "Crackle Canvas" by Tom Verbruggen is a series of circuit bent canvas devices that when patched together with 1/8th inch audio cables produce sounds that can be manipulated in a live performance. Check out the video for the full effect of this installation.
Tom Verbruggen YT Channel via Network Research
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Sep 29, 2008 06:00 AM
Arts, Music |
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Homebrew amps and guitars built by kids
This "Flying Saucer Amplifier" was built by kids in a class called "Building Music" where the objective was to build instruments and amplfiers from recycled materials. Check out all of the designs and a viseo at the link below.
guitars, amplifiers and oscillators built by kids
Posted by Jonah Brucker-Cohen |
Sep 29, 2008 05:00 AM
DIY Projects, Music |
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Coding a Game of Life sequencer in Processing
Game Of Life Sequencer in Processing from wesen on Vimeo.
In this informative example of 'code-maker zen', Wesen (of Ruin & Wesen) shows us how to code a MIDI sequencer based on Conway's Game of Life in Processing. He uses some custom code to interface with MIDI - available as a free download here. [via Create Digital Music]
And if you're not so much into the coding side, you could always give Failrate's flash-based Game of Life sequencer a go here
More:
Cellular automata for sound control
Cellular Automata Video Synthesizer Kit & Game of Life LED board
Back-to-School Sale - 10% off every order, free Maker's Notebook with every order of $25 or more. Use coupon code CRZYDAN when you order - Ends 9/30/08 midnight PST
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 29, 2008 05:00 AM
Music |
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How To: Guitar/Mic Port on a PC
This is a very simple hack that allows you to plug a guitar or microphone into you computer. It can't possibly cost more than a couple of dollars, and it shouldn't take more than an hour to complete. You can buy external boxes that do this and a lot more, but that's no fun!
Read more on How To: Guitar/Mic Port on a PC
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Sep 29, 2008 01:00 AM
Computers, Music |
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September 27, 2008
How to: AUX input in a factory radio
This is a really nice flickr photo set that describes how to hack you car stereo. It seems like everyone has an MP3 player, but not everyone has an AUX input in his or her car.
After having two newer radios stolen from my car, my dad was nice enough to send me the original factory one. The idea is, no one in their right mind would steal this thing. The only problem is that it doesn't have an AUX input- how am I to hook up a music player to it? Tape adapters and FM broadcasting devices aren't a great solution, so I decided to put one in myself.
Read more about How to: AUX input in a factory radio
More:
Hacking your car stereo
Posted by Marc de Vinck |
Sep 27, 2008 01:00 AM
Electronics, Music |
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September 24, 2008
Cellphone-based beat sequencer
Designed as a multiplayer version of his skittle-based sequencer, Kyle McDonald created this camera-driven beat making setup using webcam, projector, and openFrameworks based software. Since it's deriving data from each phone's lit screen, it would seem this could become a flashlight-based sequencer with ease. Info on Vimeo - I See Beats
More:
I Eat Beats - Edible music interface
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 24, 2008 03:30 PM
Cellphones, Music |
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Byte++ makes a binary beat
Niklas turns a commonly silent digital process into music -
This is an experiment, where I count one byte up - from 00000000 to 11111111. Decimal spoken, this is from 0 to 255. I have assigned a sound to each bit and when it switches from 0 to 1, the sound is played."Music is a hidden arithmetic exercise of the soul, which does not know that it is counting."
Leibniz
[via Matrixsynth]
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 24, 2008 03:15 PM
Music |
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Interview with circuit bending originator Reed Ghazala
Gearwire sits down for a talk with Mr. Qubais Reed Ghazala, widely regarded as the father of circuit-bending. Ghazala speaks at length as to the origins and popularity of bending's most iconic project - the modified Texas Instruments Speak & Spell, aka the Incantor.
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 24, 2008 06:00 AM
Interviews, Music |
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Cellular automata for sound control
The Automaton plugin from Audio Damage uses the rules of cellular automata for sequence and manipulation of audio. It's AU/VST format compatible and comes with four built-in effects, each with independently customizable behavior. Life simulating algorithms are being used for generative music more and more lately, and for good reason. These techniques can add evolving depth and detail to the oft-repetitive default behaviors of popular music software. Plus, they're fun to play with; set up a few parameters, hit play and listen to your song grow.
Though I've yet to take the Automaton for a spin, it seems a pretty good deal @ $49USD and I've enjoyed some of the developer's other offerings (including their freebee fuzz effect). Even still, I imagine similar tools using PureData/MaxMSP could be easily realized. Video demo & infos - Audio Damage::Automaton [via Create Digital Music]
More:
CellularRecombomat circuit-bent-cellular-automata-synth
Cellular Automata Video Synthesizer Kit & Game of Life LED board
Posted by Collin Cunningham |
Sep 24, 2008 05:00 AM
Music |
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