In 2007, steampunk musician
Yoshi Akai wrote his master's thesis on how to turn color into sound, and he's been dreaming up unorthodox ways of producing music ever since. Case in point: the Lego Sequencer MR II, a contraption that uses three-dimensional
Lego structures to emulate a three-channel, eight-step sequencer, where each differently colored plastic brick produces a different sound and complex combinations (including tremolo and overdrive) are possible when the blocks are stacked. Akai tells us it works using resistors embedded in each and every block, with parallel networks of resistors formed as the bricks pile up, equalling lower resistance and thus a higher frequency sound generated by the contraption. While the result certainly won't back a techno track -- Akai says he's "building sound more than playing sound" -- it looks like a good step up from the lethargic phaser noise produced by his
Wireless Catcher, a lot of fun to play with, and much less expensive than hiring
a team of hot models. Video after the break.
posted March 10th 2010 5:18AM
I want to dance to it, Can I please dance to it?
@abedinthehouse
No, that... erm... song? Is very UN-DANCE-ABLE.
Does anyone give a rat's ass about steampunk?
@etwashoo
yes.
however, lego isn't exactly steampunk.
Good idea…
Figure out a way to lose the gloves and im sold.
This will hit the clubs soon, well be seeing LJs (Lego Jockeys) rocking this equipment within the coming months.
Srsly though, it has potential..
That is the type of sound I would expect legos to make.
@(Unverified)
Ahhh... My ears.
where is the steam here?
@detonator
The addition of brass to an object makes it steam, maybe? =b
Lego guitar please?
Er, seriously though its a theoretical demonstration.
I am sure there will be countless uses.
that is AWFUL. The music appears to have been missed out of his endevour.
@DarthPaul
you appear to have missed the point of his endeavor.
@natels
I missed the 'a' off my endeavour, for sure, however I challenge anyone to find that noise in any way pleasurable or useful. I have a friend that builds music from electronics (I can't remember the term for it) & he has an incredible QA process (ie: that sounds like a sound that I can use)
Sometimes it's better to see an end result of things than a WiP, and I'm pretty sure this is elementary stuff for anyone with any background in electronic music (which to be fair, I haven't)
@DarthPaul
One man's noise is another man's music.
@Slappy Wag
True that, for sure. This isn't though ;-)
i want one.
Wow, engadget sure is late with news...
http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/03/03/a-lego-sequencer-imaginary-electronic-antiques-and-other-yoshi-akai-creations/
I paused Sibelius' Symphony #1 to listen to this? Just not worth it musically.
It is an interesting experiment, along the lines of the thermin.
(I just reread what I wrote, and it seems to come across sounding like an elitist. Not my intent. I was going more for irony. But it is what it is. I really did pause that piece of music to listen to this. The classical is much prettier.)
actually I'd like a pair of those gloves :)