Electric eye tone-tool
Dublin Core
Title
Electric eye tone-tool
Subject
Description
Steel, PVC pipe, plastic sheet, globes, ink, electronics, speakers.
One of Grainger and Cross’s last experiments before
Grainger’s death in 1961 was an attempt to create a more
immediate and accurate form of Free Music through the
use of hand-drawn waveforms and light-sensitive
circuits. This experiment used photocells (light-dependent
resistors) rather than paper rolls and tone arms to translate
pitch and volume markings, painted on plastic sheet,
into sound. The original machine, never fully completed,
was eventually disassembled after Grainger’s death.
This reinterpretation also uses light-dependent resistors
but connects them to digital Teensy microcontrollers
loaded with the Mozzi software library. The addition of
the hand crank enables the looped ‘score’ to be played
forwards and backwards.
One of Grainger and Cross’s last experiments before
Grainger’s death in 1961 was an attempt to create a more
immediate and accurate form of Free Music through the
use of hand-drawn waveforms and light-sensitive
circuits. This experiment used photocells (light-dependent
resistors) rather than paper rolls and tone arms to translate
pitch and volume markings, painted on plastic sheet,
into sound. The original machine, never fully completed,
was eventually disassembled after Grainger’s death.
This reinterpretation also uses light-dependent resistors
but connects them to digital Teensy microcontrollers
loaded with the Mozzi software library. The addition of
the hand crank enables the looped ‘score’ to be played
forwards and backwards.
Creator
Date
2016
Identifier
16.0004