[ By Delana in Gadgets & Geekery & Technology. ]
Stringed instruments have been played since time immemorial, and naturally as technology improves plenty of people are trying to recreate that kind of sound digitally. Of course, nothing compares to the rich, warm, sensual sound of an actual stringed instrument, and this is something that artist and artisan Jon Jones understands better than most people. That is why he created the Wheelharp, an incredible stringed instrument that manages to sound like the entire string section of an orchestra all on its own.
The beautiful instrument was inspired in 2001 by Jones’ hurdy-gurdy, an ancient stringed instrument that produces tones via a hand-cranked rosined wheel rubbing against strings. As much as Jones enjoyed the hurdy-gurdy, he wanted to know if he could create a full-scale chromatic instrument in which each string could produce a different sound when individually bowed on the rosined wheel. He set out to produce the first Wheelharp.
The result was an instrument of incomparable beauty and charm. Pressing on any of the Wheelharp’s keys moves a string toward the rosined wheel. Of the instrument’s two pedals, the right controls the speed of the motor which turns the wheel. The left pedal controls a damper system that extends across the strings. Although the instrument looks old-timey and low-tech, it also includes an electromagnetic pickup and a piezoelectric pickup, both of which allow the player to control the instrument’s amplification.
It would be impossible to describe the immense beauty and complexity of the music produced by the Wheelharp. It is truly an instrument like no other in the world. It is produced in two versions: a radial version (with the curved keyboard) and a linear model with a more familiar, traditional straight keyboard. Both models produce some of the most breathtaking music ever produced by a single instrument. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the Wheelharp is an object of beauty to look at, either. But if you want to give this incredible invention a try, be ready to pay for it: the least expensive version from Antiquity Music runs nearly $ 10,000.
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[ By Delana in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]
In the broad scheme of audio technology, cassette tapes had a rather rough go of things. Their predecessor, the vinyl record, had been around for decades before and even now continues to be a favorite of audiophiles. Compact discs came along to dethrone cassettes before the tapes had much of a life in the spotlight. But now, as is customary with most obsolete audio technologies, a feeling of nostalgia has finally begun to grip a small number of those who grew up listening to cassette tapes.
Stephen Cornford, an artist/musician whose work “exists at the intersection of sculpture and music,” puts a beautifully musical spin on this nostalgia with his installation piece called Binatone Galaxy. The installation features 28 vintage cassette recorder/players mounted to the walls of a single room, each outfitted with a custom microphone-fitted tape.
The machines are interesting pieces of technological sculpture, to be sure, but Cornford has recast them into a role they have never before played: instruments in their own right. The players are all hooked up to proximity sensors which cause them to begin playing whenever a visitor steps near and to shut off when not continually activated.
These cassette players are not playing the latest Top 40 tracks, however; they are playing only themselves. The machines become instruments as their characteristic clicks, whirs and hums are showcased in the installation. Each machine makes a different set of sounds depending on its motor, materials, age and other variables. The composition changes constantly as viewers move about the room, activating different machines and causing new and unique combinations to spring up and then fade away…much like the medium itself did.
Growing trend in the art world: turn old tech items that would be junked into masterpieces of art.
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Subject and medium are perfectly paired in this series of portraits. Famous musicians are recreated in the unraveled tape formerly hidden in cassette cases.
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[ By Delana in Technology & Vintage & Retro. ]
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Hi everyone! I’m here to share my 1/6 scale figures from Hot Toys and a couple from Medicom. These figures are so amazing, very detailed, authentic likenesses, and poseable. Can’t wait for the others to come. But for the mean time, here are the figures i have… Enjoy! **I DO NOT OWN THE MUSIC USED. Music: 300 Violin Orchestra by Jorge Quintero Taken by Nikon D90 on 640×480 mode Thanks for watching!
ANAGLYPH by Photosonic Orchestra (Elec Trip Records | EMI) – Available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazon, etc. TRACK LIST : 01 Prelude 02 Infinite in infinity 03 Evening 04 You make me laugh 05 perAmy 06 Nocturne (feat. Robotnik) 07 Blue Moon Performed, produced and mixed by Vika and Julyo All music by Giulio “Julyo” D’Agostino (BMI) and Filippo “Vika” Vicario (IMRO) Published by Elec-Trip Records Special guests: Antonello d’Orazio ( sax on ‘Prelude’ and ‘You make me laugh’), Martyna ‘Tyna’ Halas (vocals on ‘Infinte in infinity’), Christopher ‘Robotnik’ Morrin (vocals in ‘Nocturne’) ANAGLYPH Anaglyph images are used to provide a stereoscopic 3D effect, when viewed with 2 color glasses (each lens a chromatically opposite color, usually red and blue). The record features studio versions of the music performed live during the band 3D DJ/VJ shows, the Photosonic Orchestra live shows uses a strong visual element in conjunction with ‘anaglyph movies’. The record sound is a dark melodic combination of classical and jazz influenced compositions, futuristic synthesizers in the style of Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre, and contemporary dance beats.
stereoscopic video for anaglyph glasses
Video Rating: 5 / 5
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