Thursday, November 5, 2009

Electronically Modified Didgerodoo




I created this instrument to experiment in the combination of the organic sound qualities of a didgeridoo with the advanced signal processing capabilities of modern computer programming and sound synthesis. This custom built didgeridoo features externally mounted modules that allow the performer to process and manipulate the sound of the instrument in real time. All control data is transmitted wirelessly via blue tooth and is controlling several audio processes created in a custom-built software environment. If you have any questions about the instrument please feel free to ask.



Signal processing section of patch...




Sample and synthesis sections including vocal and bull-roarer samples...






I use the Arduino blue tooth for serial data communication to and from my computer and a wireless microphone to transmit the audio from the bell of the instrument. The modules feature 6 push button switches, 5 toggle switches, and 6 pots. Power and data is wired from each module to the Arduino using thin magnet wire laid on the exterior of the didgeridoo and painted over to camouflage.







Creative Commons License
Electronically Modified Didgeridoo by Kyle E Evans is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

30 comments:

  1. Dude - that is crazy stuff - I love it!

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  2. Is that some kind of graphical language you are coding in? Those diagrams are reminiscent of LabVIEW diagrams.

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  3. That is a very haunting, yet satisfying sound you've got there! Great work! I hope to do similar projects in the future, when I am more knowledgeable about such things.

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  4. Simply Awesome dude. You are inspiring me to create some audio Mayhem!
    Jules

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  5. wow, love this! I so want one of my didges to be modded like this now!

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  6. sounds awesome!, but if I understood right, isn't it a problem to hear the digital sound while hearing the "natural" sound from the didge? so you get both sounds but the video only had the digital? or am I completly wrong?

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  7. to any who may be wondering, the synthesis programming is done in Max/MSP

    and yes anacron you are correct, when performing in front of an audience the natural sound of the didgeridoo can be heard as well. This gives me unique control over a mix of wet and dry sound by adjusting levels and how loud I play. It is different but far from a problem.

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  8. SWEET! When will you be mass producing this technology?

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  9. In a world where most musical instrument creativity is poured into pure electronics it is nice to see someone starting with moving air instead of moving electrons. It gives a wonderfully human touch to an electronic world which is usually much colder.

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  10. I would love to purchase One of them How much ??
    woud it run me ??????????

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  11. That sounds really bizarre and yet interesting. If you ever release anything from this, I'd be interested in hearing more.

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  12. Really cool!.
    I posted a link to this article on the worldwide didgeridoo network on Ning (http://didgeridoo.ning.com)

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  13. creo que es algo increible. MUY GRANDE, y con muchas posibilidades para la musica futura :)

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  14. interesting,

    is the Didge itself made of platic? Looks like.

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  15. Awesome, I've put a link on our Twitter page, usually only post up synth and tech stuff. This fits in really nicely.

    http://twitter.com/a9ksystems

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  16. This is sick, are you going to open source?

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  17. As an active musician, I am absolutely interested in either buying one of those or jamming with you.

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  18. @Dave, Im not at the selling level yet but I am down to jam for sure!

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  19. If you're ever in the LA area, look me up: http://www.myspace.com/lexicon_devil

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  20. So amazing...I love the work you are doing.
    Hey, is there any way you can post the Max patch? I'm really curious about messing around with it.

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  21. @ Jason
    I don't have any patches up right now but maybe eventually.

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  22. Very cool....any chance you'd be interested in chatting a little more about it for a magazine article? My address should be in my profile.

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  23. Dude.. that is incredible.
    I live in australia, and have always wondered how insane a didgeridoo could sound if it had an electronic touch to it. But I'd never even imagined this. haha great work!

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  24. alright mate, sweet didge...... doing something similar to this for my dissertation (inspired by your synthesis of the native instrument). Just a quick question....

    what objects did you use in Max to receive the audio signal from the wireless mic?

    Thanks

    Peter

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