Design and build your very own sound experiences in this unique collaborative event run in conjunction with Belfast-based sound art collective, Tone Burst. Using the very latest technology, you’ll be free to explore your creative ideas, with help from the team as required. All materials and equipment will be provided and no technical experience is needed, although a passion for sound and music-making is, of course, essential!
Supported by Cycling 74, Electrosmith and Synthux Academy, this event will give you the run-down on a range of cutting-edge digital fabrication technologies, including 3D printers and laser-cutting machines. Come along and see what sounds emerge!
Each item is assembled by hand. The mark of the maker can be found on the surface of the items, showing the efforts to manipulate materials and minimising waste. For us, an imperfect artefact for sale is preferable to a usable flaw in the dump.
This release consists of audio recordings made using circuits based on ICs (integrated circuits or ‘chips’) from the UM series. These DIY EMIs (electronic musical instruments) come from physical remixes, and are bent by design (thanks to Rob Hordijk). The demonstration schematics found in the official datasheets were built, bent, remixed, extended, multiplied and fabricated to facilitate play with a few parameters.
This release shows music composed on computer and expressed as hardware instead of recording. The circuit composition can be viewed as a form of score. The musical instrument voice is technological. The parameters available are limited. Complex frequency output can be made with both UM66 & UM3561 in spite of their obsolescence.
The UM3561 chip was designed to produce sound effects: The chip used in this circuit produces an emergency siren type sound. The UM3561 is used four times. They not synchronised. This DIY EMI has potentiometers to control voltage starve & volume as well as an on/off switch and two touch-pads per IC so that skin contacting the PCB changes resistance and timing/frequency.
The UM66 chip was designed to play popular monophonic melodies: The chip used in this circuit plays Für Elise. The UM66 is used two times. They not synchronised. This DIY EMI has potentiometers to control voltage starve & volume as well as a switch to change the ‘bent’ character of the sound.
These DIY EMIs require a 3v CR2032 battery for power. The output is a mono mini jack (3.5mm). Play with rhythm, melody & noise.
Bass recorder edited for multiple playback streams. Each track has a relationship of playback speed with the others, the divisions are in thirds. 1.666 / 1.333 / 1 / .666 / .333
barry joseph cullen 