MATRIXSYNTH: STEIM


Showing posts with label STEIM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label STEIM. Show all posts

Friday, April 10, 2020

STEIM Crackle Box 242 of 500

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.


via this auction

"Michel Waisvisz designed and built the very first Crackle circuit in the late 60ties together with Geert Hamelberg. This was simply a wooden frame with some print boards mounted rear-side up to be touched by the fingers. The circuits were ‘malformed’ oscillators that were very unstable and highly sensitive for finger connections. The Crackle circuit, as well as the powered speaker box, were battery powered to avoid hum and repeated exposure to dangerous electrical shocks. In 1973 Michel Waisvisz joined STEIM and started working on more touchable electronic instruments together with Peter Beyls, Nico Bes and Johan den Biggelaar, and by the mid-seventies they had created both the ‘Crackle Synth’ and the ‘Crackle Box’.

The Magnetic Fields recently used one in their album Love at the Bottom of the Sea. Swedish percussionist Sven-Åke Johansson carries one often and uses it frequently in recordings and improvisation. Mazen Kerbaj tours with one of the original Crackle synthesizers.

I used this once and it's been in the box since 2012. I have the pin that keeps the box closed in a baggie in the box. Get it, it's a cool little device."

Saturday, February 03, 2018

STEIM's TriggerSequencer Prototype - First Eurorack Module from STEIM


TriggerSequencer from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.

"prototype of STEIM's first Eurorack unit, a 4-track, 8 steps variable gate sequencer."

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

STEIM Cracklebox | 2005 edition #287 of 500

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"From the STEIM Website, by way of introduction:

'Welcome to the world of Crackle.

Michel Waisvisz designed and built the very first Crackle circuit in the late 60ties together with Geert Hamelberg. This was simply a wooden frame with some print boards mounted rear-side up to be touched by the fingers. The circuits were ‘malformed’ oscillators that were very unstable and highly sensitive for finger connections. The Crackle circuit, as well as the powered speaker box, were battery powered to avoid hum and repeated exposure to dangerous electrical shocks. In 1973 Michel Waisvisz joined STEIM and started working on more touchable electronic instruments together with Peter Beyls, Nico Bes and Johan den Biggelaar, and by the mid-seventies they had created both the ‘Crackle Synth’ and the ‘Crackle Box’...'

I bought this item from STEIM in 2005 when I was in a band, doing this kind of stuff. I'm not anymore but I do need cash to pay the rent, so I'm going to let this delightful and crazy machine go to someone who'll use it for what it's meant for, which is making weird electronic music.

The cracklebox is a beautiful thing. The wooden case feels amazing in the hand, and this example, mine, is in perfect nick. I treasured it and kept it safe from knocks or scratches. The playing surface is so tactical. Anyone who sees it, has to touch it. And anyone who touches it, smiles when they do as it responds to every nuance of movement. Now, I used to mic this up and run it through an ableton channel - I've seen folks add an audio out for a 100% wet line, I always meant to do that but never did, it worked just fine in the air - this cracklebox is 100% original and unmodded. It's lovely the way it's meant to be.

It's also 100% functional. It takes a little learning what that means; the cracklebox is a strange beast, but she'll reward your investment and give you back more than you give.

If you're looking for a way to set yourself apart, then this box will turn heads wherever and however you play it."

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

A Visit to Oberlin's TIMARA Program Featuring the Bell Labs Hal Alles & Other Vintage Synths

Laurie Spiegel Playing 1977 Bell Labs Hal Alles Synth

Uploaded on Jan 26, 2007 Laurie Spiegel

Above: a now classic video of Laurie Spiegel performing on the Bell Labs Hal Alles.


Mark Boyd of Audulus, Endangered Audio Research and Bimini Road met up with Peter Swendsen of Oberlin's TIMARA program to talk synth. Mark showed Peter Audulus, and Peter showed Mark TIMARA's collection. Included was the historic Bell Labs Hal Alles, the first realtime digital synthesizer; made famous by synth legend Laurie Spiegel. See the video above (1st posted here, and then here with a second video).

Pics include the Bell Labs Hal Alles, vintage Buchla & Music Easel, ARP 2600, Blue EML 200 & Silver EML 300 Manual Controller, STEIM cracklebox, and an EMS VCS3 Putney.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Upcoming Sound Labs at Amsterdam Dance Event Oct 14 - 18

Workshops at this years' Amsterdam Dance Event currently include Moog, STEIM, Ginko Synthese, and Falafular Synths. Details follow.

ADE Sound Lab: a modular synth heaven

"The modular synthesizer has always been an integral part of dance music, and ADE Sound Lab will shed a light on its heritage during a three day modular synth bonanza.
If you're planning on visiting ADE Sound Lab make sure to grab the annual ADE Card, which allows you to access MusicTalks and live performances.

Modular synths have been on the rise of late. Their new found popularity boosted the modular market in unforeseen ways. The market has spiked like never before, and there are ever more and more musicians, artists and producers making their own modular set up in search of unique sounds and machinery.

ADE Sound Lab focuses on the history and heritage of synths by inviting sound designers, inventors and even some legends of the modular world to inspire you with talks, workshops, performances and a Modular Market. By exhibiting the latest inventions in (modular) synthesis ADE explores the realm of the development of new electronic instruments, (modules for) modular synthesizer systems and audio installations, as well as innovations in the field of image and visualisations of sound. Amongst other work, ADE Sound Lab introduces the Modular Expo.

Do It Yourself Synth Building Workshops
You can not only play around with existing modules and modular systems, but you can also build your own synthesizer. ADE Sound Lab offers several Do It Yourself workshops, some free of charge, others for a fee. The latter will ensure you can take your brand new, playable synth back to your home studio.

Moog’s Chris Howe will head the workshops on Thursday and Friday. Friday will see a workshop that will be led by STEIM - Hypothetical Instruments, which will focus on the future of electronic music, what instruments will be needed and how we will correspond with those yet-to-be-invented modules. On Saturday, the DIY Workshop will be hosted by Ginko Synthese who will let you build your own synth with their very own DIY kits. They’ll even let you make a case to harness the instruments. Falafular will host on Saturday. If you like to learn more about prices and workshop registration, keep a close eye on our website and the respective event pages.

Workshops
Moog Werkstatt by Chris Howe (Moog Music Inc, US)
Werkstatt Workshop provides a way for synth experts and novices alike to explore subtractive synthesizers. Through hands-on instrument modifications, participants will learn the fundamentals of subtractive analog synthesis and the control voltage paradigm. Analog synthesizers have long had their own maker culture born of curious engineers, physicists and hobbyists who have created and crafted their sounds through electronic experimentation. It is our goal to share our love for learning, music, and electronics by encouraging everyone to create the world they want to hear, one mod at a time.

STEIM - Hypothetical Instruments
In this workshop you can design machines for creative expression. Working with low and no-tech, you’ll build non-functional instruments aimed at inventing the music machine of the future. By taking as a starting point how an individual imagines the experience of playing electronic music, we will spend the afternoon making the perfect machine or instrument for that person. This process is directly informed by the designers and researchers from Native Instruments, Johannes Kepler Universität and STEIM, with the goal of making instruments that are positioned on the bleeding edge of technology.

Ginko Synthese
Ginko Synthese, the braindchild of Jan Willem Hagenbeek, aims to close the gap between the stage and the studio. At ADE Sound Lab they will be presenting easy to build cheap DIY kits. The components are available at a reasonable price. The popularity of these kits is currently spreading across the world fast, meaning that a lot of new user codes are becoming available almost weekly. You can use these modules as granular oscillators, wavetable oscillators, drum synths and even as clock sources just by uploading a different code.

Falafular Synths
Falafular is the SDIY brand that enabled Falafelbiels (Niels Kloet) to build himself a fabulous modular synthesizer. The ’S’ in SDIY stands for soldering, and Niels Kloet will show you the nit and grit of Do It Yourself synth building.

ADE Sound Lab is organised by ADE, in cooperation with Creative Industries Fund NL, the Dutch fund that offers sound pioneers and innovators an opportunity to demonstrate what they are working on, as well as helping them to develop their talents further in a 'hot house' environment.

ADE Sound Lab
Dates: Thursday Oct. 15 - Saturday Oct. 17
Time: program starts at noon
Venue: Compagnietheater
ADE Sound Lab is a free program (except for the ADE MusicTalks series and live performances, free for ADE Card holders, also accessible for 1 & 5 Day conference ticket holders)."

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Steim Summer Party 2014 (Aftermovie)


Steim Summer Party 2014 (Aftermovie) from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.

"On the 18th of June 2014, STEIM invited former artistic director Jan Werner to curate the concert portion of the STEIM SUMMER PARTY. He came iup with a great lineup including Peter Kirn, Kathy Alberici and ofcourse the man himself. Next to these performances there was also the Soundart installation LINES by Ivo Bol and Katinka Marac and Tapage closed the evening with some downtempo grooves. This aftermovie includes several interviews that provide an insight into the creation process of the artists."

Monday, September 22, 2014

2007 Steim Cracklebox Synth SN 69 of 500

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"Here is a Steim Cracklebox (Kraadoos) synth. Developed in the 70's it was one of the first examples of a bent circuit synth. You become part of the circuit by touching the metal pads. Crackling, fizzing, squealing, sputtering noises emerge in unpredictable way that is a blast. Battery operated and complete with it's own internal speaker. Loads of fun. Very rare, these never come up for auction. This one was made in 2007."

Tuesday, November 05, 2013

the cracklebox and a noisy setup

Published on Nov 5, 2013 pianoloft·221 videos

"the first crackle box was used in the 60th of the last century. fingercontacts influence and create unstable sounds. info: http://steim.org/product/cracklebox/
the MASF SCM and two effects generate some destructive soundfields, the MASF pedal consits of an enclosure with a contact mic in it, There is a small hole under the mounted spring so the box acts as an acoustic resonator (http://masf.figity.com/pedals/scm). the sound is run through the Dod Fx 69B and the subdecay noise box. joyful noise !"

This is the first MASF post.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

STEIM Cracklebox: VLOG #4 - Kraakdoos and Modern Ruins - Rene Splinter

Published on Oct 3, 2013

"New video blog, again featuring another unusual electronic musical instrument. This time it's the 'Kraakdoos', or 'Cracklebox'. Designed by late Michel Waisvisz from STEIM Foundation Amsterdam, generating sounds by disturbing the electronic circuitry of the device with the skin of your fingers.

More info:
Michel Waisvisc:
http://www.crackle.org

STEIM Foundation:
http://www.steim.org

The track "Modern Ruins" features on my album 'Modern Ruins' (2013). It's available at Groove Unlimited by following this link:
http://www.groove.nl/jump2.php?artnum=gr-199

Please subscribe to my channel if you like.
Also, please check out Facebook for updates:
http://facebook.com/renesplinter

You can find my regular website here:
http://www.renesplinter.com"

Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Prototype Demo: Breadboard Based Modular Synth System


Prototype Demo: Breadboard Based Modular Synth System from Phillip Stearns on Vimeo.

"This video demonstrates some prototype modules being developed by Phillip Stearns and Pete Edwards for a larger breadboard based modular synth system. The current collection of modules demonstrated here were developed and designed by Phillip Stearns using a stackable, header-based form factor designed by Pete Edwards. Each module features a curated collection of CMOS chips configured into powerful core multipurpose functions. At the heart of the design approach and ethos is the desire for endless musical and electronic invention, exploration, and discovery from the bottom up or the top down.

The current lineup of modules includes:
The Shifter: A complex signal generator that utilizes an 8-bit linear feedback shift register.
Divide by 2 by 2 by 2 by 2...: a frequency divider that produces 12 sub octaves with three programmable 1 of 8 outputs.
Divide by 3 - 10: A frequency divider that produces subharmonics
The Digitizer: A real-time 3-bit ADC
The Rhythm Brain: Three synchronized, independently programmable binary rate multipliers."

via STEIM

Monday, March 18, 2013

Steim Crackebox

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction
Perfect Circuit Audio (RSS)

Thursday, February 28, 2013

WiGI Improvisations


WiGI Improvisation 45 Feb 2013 from richard scott on Vimeo.
"The WiGI is a heavily modified Buchla Lightning midi controller and wireless Arduino boards plus JunXion, LiSa, Aalto software. Thanks to STEIM for all their help!"


WiGI Improvisation 43 Feb 2013 from richard scott on Vimeo.

Friday, October 05, 2012

Steim synth


Published on Oct 5, 2012 by casperelectronics synthesizers

"Heres the first video of the research I'm doing at STEIM in Amsterdam. this is a simple analog synthesizer which can be patched and modified using a breadboard interface. The visuals are made by setting my oscilloscope to XY plot mode. The X axis is a triangle wave. The Y axis is a ring modulated signal between the same triangle wave and another triangle wave. There are 5 oscillators total which are all inter-modulated. There's also a sample&hold in the mix which gives the visuals a stepped appearance which you can see once in a while."

Monday, June 04, 2012

HMM Amsterdam 0911

Handmade Music at STEIM Patterns + Pleasure

YouTube Published on Jun 4, 2012 by cdmtv

Update: YouTube description in:

"'What are they building in there?'

Create Digital Music presents Handmade Music at Amsterdam's famed STEIM center, during the Patterns + Pleasure Festival 2011.

Presented with support from Livid Instruments, makers of the Builder series of hardware for DIYers. http://lividinstruments.com/

Camera: Rigel Kilston

Edited by Peter Kirn"

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

STEIM's junXion - Data Processing and Mapping for Game Controllers & Video

what's junXion? from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"tutorial #1 about Steim's data processing and mapping software junXion, which can be used to translate game controllers, video, osc, arduino's into MIDI and OSC messages. The tutorial is presented by Andreas Otto, a.k.a. Springintgut."

using a joystick with junXion from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"tutorial #2 about Steim's data processing and mapping software junXion, which can be used to translate game controllers, video, osc, arduino's into MIDI and OSC messages. The tutorial is presented by Andreas Otto, a.k.a. Springintgut."

using Timers in junXion from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"tutorial #3 about Steim's data processing and mapping software junXion, which can be used to translate game controllers, video, osc, arduino's into MIDI and OSC messages. The tutorial is presented by Andreas Otto, a.k.a. Springintgut."

using the Wiiremote as a musical instrument from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"tutorial #4 about Steim's data processing and mapping software junXion, which can be used to translate game controllers, video, osc, arduino's into MIDI and OSC messages. The tutorial is presented by Andreas Otto, a.k.a. Springintgut."

using video tracking in junXion, part1 from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"tutorial #5 about Steim's data processing and mapping software junXion, which can be used to translate game controllers, video, osc, arduino's into MIDI and OSC messages. The tutorial is presented by Andreas Otto, a.k.a. Springintgut."

video tracking with junXion, part2 from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"tutorial #6 about Steim's data processing and mapping software junXion, which can be used to translate game controllers, video, osc, arduino's into MIDI and OSC messages. The tutorial is presented by Andreas Otto, a.k.a. Springintgut."

Saturday, March 24, 2012

In Concert part 1

YouTube Uploaded by herowouters on Jul 18, 2010

Second video below has an NSFW YT image. Videos spotted on THE SYNTHI

"In 1974 Belgian composer Peter Beyls was not only a technician at the STEIM-studio in Amsterdam but also a teacher at the Vrije Akademie Psychopolis at Den Haag. Hero Wouters was a movie-making "paticipant" (a sixties-word for student) at the Academy, picking up some easy money as a technical assistant in the electronic-and-film-music-studio. They decided to join forces and gave in 1974 and 1975 two series of concerts, "Transformation" and "In Concert", mixed-media performances consisting of live electronic music, tapes, films and slides..."

"In 1974 Belgian composer Peter Beyls was not only a technician at the STEIM-studio in Amsterdam but also a teacher at the Vrije Akademie Psychopolis at Den Haag. Hero Wouters was a movie-making "paticipant" (a sixties-word for student) at the Academy, picking up some easy money as a technical assistant in the electronic-and-film-music-studio. They decided to join forces and gave in 1974 and 1975 two series of concerts, "Transformation" and "In Concert", mixed-media performances consisting of live electronic music, tapes, films and slides.

One of these events (Studio Skoop, Gent, rehearsal at the IPEM, november 29 and 30 1974) was filmed by Psychopolis-student Jacques Tooten, and the material was edited by Hero Wouters in the same year. Projected during this concert were his movies "A Boy's Ballad (Hero Wouters Movie nr 32), "On the Origin of Species by means of Natural Selection" (HWM 64), "De Zogenaamde Zeetrein" (HWM 65) and "Prints" (HWM 25), fragments of which can be seen in this reportage.

Interesting are the use of two EMS VCS3's, communicating through a very long tape-delay-loop, and a platform built by Beyls to control (with hands and feet) his "kraakdoos" (a famous STEIM-synth design).

Music: "Dialoog voor twee Synthesizers & Tape-transport" opus 103 (Beyls / Wouters) and two Peter Beyls-pieces for VCS3, tapes and kraakdoos. HWM nr 66."

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Sound Triangle: Amsterdam x Seoul

Sound Triangle: Amsterdam x Seoul from STEIM Amsterdam on Vimeo.


"STEIM & LIG present SOUND TRIANGLE
Amsterdam x Seoul [Korea] Experimental Music Exchange

November 2011

steim.org/steim/events.php?event=475&year_archive=2011&type=1&archive="

Monday, February 27, 2012

CalArts 2011 Residency - STEIM, Amsterdam, NL


Vimeo by by STEIM Amsterdam

"The 5th CalArts Exchange program at STEIM with Jinku Kim, MaryClare Bryztwa, Heather Lockie, Max Foreman and Clay Chaplin

16 Oct 2011
STEIM, Amsterdam, NL

steim.org/steim/events.php?event=471&year_archive=2011&type=1&archive=1"

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

WiGi/Buchla Lightning Demo


Vimeo by richard scott

"sooo, here is the first stable prototype of the WIGI (Wireless Gestural Instrument) instrument I have been working on at STEIM for what seems like forever. Its a Buchla Lighting with heavily modified hardware and software. Software is STEIMs JunXion and LiSa."

Richard Scott - More Wigi Fun

"WiGI = Wireless Gestural Instrument = Buchla Lighting modified at STEIM"

Richard Scott and Rebekka Uhlig Live in Berlin

"our first meeting, recorded at the Interaktion Festival of Improvised Music December 2009"

Friday, December 23, 2011

Support for STEIM

You might remember from previous posts STEIM was at risk of losing funding in the Netherlands. It looks like that will be the case. The following is a newsletter from STEIM forwarded to me from Zn'shñ.

"Dear friend,
As you probably know things are changing here in the Netherlands and it is becoming very clear that we can no longer rely on state funding to run STEIM.
We are looking for new (and old) ways for funding our safe house for live electronic music.
We don't want to close and we don't want to sell out. We want to stay open and curious and we want to still be there for you the next time you need us.
Things will change. We are trying to allow new types of ideas to emerge and avoid calcified and safe solutions.
We have always prided ourselves in being able to draw lines across disciplinary divides and see new opportunities for music. We hope that we can do the same for our organisation.
If you like what we do and want to help us do more of it - please consider becoming a Friend of STEIM.
The setup is simple. You pay 50 Euros a year, we won't beg and plead and auto renew. We will however buy you a drink the next time we see you.
Consider buying a membership for that musician in your life who has nothing. Feel free to circulate this email widely.
STEIM has always seen itself not primarily as an institution but as a cultural network. Our friends have always been what made it all possible and interesting.
Please join us and together we will play our way through.
Thank you for being a friend of STEIM.
Yours sincerely,
STEIM staff"

You can become a friend and support STEIM here: http://www.steim.org/friends/

See the STEIM label below for some posts featuring STEIM's work.
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