::vtol:: rbs-20 - Ruler Based Mechanical Synth

::vtol:: rbs-20 from ::vtol:: on Vimeo.

ruler bass synth, 20 centimeters

more info - https://vtol.cc/filter/works/RBS-20-cm

The device is based on the school experience of imitating bass lines at the desk and a fun way to disturb teachers. The instrument can be classified as an automated plucked contrabass monochord.

The pitch change is implemented by quickly changing how far the ruler is extended relative to the nut. Movements, plucks and presses of the ruler along the nut are driven by powerful and fast motors, which allows to play pretty fast lines. Two pressing motors can work simultaneously or selectively, which allows to choose the register: the range and amplitude of oscillations depends on the place in which the ruler is clamped before the pluck. Motors may not press the ruler at all, leaving the string / ruler "open". Thus, from one position of the ruler, you can get 4 notes that are different in pitch and duration: open (lowest), clamped by the upper motor (highest tone), clamped by the lower motor (low) and clamped by two at once. The sound is picked up by a small piezo element, which is getting hits by a ruler directly (the instrument has no resonator). The instrument is equipped with 12 touch keys, each of which can be reassigned to a specific length of the ruler. A small OLED display is used to select modes, tune notes, and indicate processes and states.

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