The Anywhere Organ nominated for a grant from The Fun Theory

Arduino Computers & Mobile Music Technology
The Anywhere Organ nominated for a grant from The Fun Theory
anorgan2.jpg

The Anywhere Organ is a amazing musical instrument project that desperately needs your help. By voting right now for The Anywhere Organ you help increase it’s chance of receiving a $25,000 grant from The Fun Theory. The Anywhere Organ is the brainchild of über-maker Matthew Borgatti. You might remember some of Matthew’s work on MST3shades, Printable Handcuffs, Bokode, the Best of Instructables, and Fairytale Fashion. Act now! (if you like it) The voting ends Friday.

Pipe organs are incredible, awesome instruments. One incredible aspect that contributes to their awesomeness is their ability to play a space. Each space an organ resides in reacts differently, creating different tones, and essentially allowing room for an infinite variety of instruments. Unfortunately nearly every pipe organ in existence is bolted irrevocably into a wall staring longingly at fornications all day. This is why I’m creating the Anywhere Organ.

I’ve designed a system where each note, each pipe of a pipe organ is attached to a central air supply through a hose. The air to each organ pipe is controlled by a solenoid valve articulated through Arduino. I’m writing modules to take MIDI keyboard information and translate it to the valves. Each hose is independent making for an octopus like instrument where each separate pipe can be installed with care and consideration relative to the space. This means the instrument can be installed anywhere; a park, a fire escape, an abandoned warehouse, a secret underwater cave. The pipes can be distributed to take advantage each location’s specific character and personality. It also means that anyone can participate in the project and take a turn. I’d like to get people playing with the Anywhere Organ so they can see the effect space has on music and sound, so they have a public venue to fool around with music, and to have an opportunity to collaborate with other musical artists to create new sounds with it.

2 thoughts on “The Anywhere Organ nominated for a grant from The Fun Theory

  1. Stunmonkey says:

    I went over to see about voting for this, as it is really cool, but honestly I thought there were some other equally or more worthy projects that deserved consideration, too.

    People should go over and check out some of those entries. There are a number of them, that like this one, truly rock.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

I make cool stuff and write about other people making cool stuff on makezine.com. If you have something you think I should see, send me a tip.

View more articles by Adam Flaherty

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK