Take your creations beyond the workshop and onto the stage with diy music instruments! Let us show you how these creations range from simple, basic setups that produce beautiful sounds to more complex projects that require a greater level of engineering knowledge. With these tutorials and examples, we’ll guide you on this journey to make your own musical instrument for experimental, artistic or everyday use – so whether you’re starting out new or a seasoned sound creator, come explore the wonderful world of making your own music.
In MAKE 04 we have a great article on circuit bending. You can modify a Casio keyboard (or other electronic audio stuff) and start playing some of the strangest sounds you’ve ever heard. But, there’s also Makers out there selling completed versions too, here’s an excellent circuit bent Speak and Spell for sale with audio samples on eBay. [via] Link.
“In today’s hectic and noisy world, we are all searching for a little peace and quiet. Well, you might not be able to slip off to a tranquil forest for an hour or two, but you can block out background noise with the Noise-Canceling Headphones. The theory behind this project is that by picking up ambient sound with a microphone and reproducing it out of phase, we can actively cancel or “null” out background noise. In fact, several commercially available devices perform the same function. However, by building your own headset, you can add features not otherwise available and have fun while doing it!” Thanks Nyte! Link.
RPS writes “Low tech how-to on making sound insulating earphones for listening to music while drumming, operating machinery (or doing anything else in a loud enviro) using cheap ear protectors and headphones.” Link.
MAKE Flickr photo pool member Pete Hidle posted up his amazing Etch-a-Sketch turntable project, he writes “Dualing Etch-a-sketch makes music by taking information from the Etch-a-sketch dials and translating it into digital information. That information could be used for anything, but in this example it turns it into techno music, using the Max/MSP software from www.cycling74.com. It was presented as part of Platform05, a review of live art in the North-East of England. Further information can be found [here] and some pictures from the opening night can be found at flickrmeets UK.” Link.
Handy DIY project before you make digital versions of those vinyl’s…“Build your own high quality, easy to use record cleaner. This design can be built for less than $50 and will remove at least as much grunge as the expensive VPI record cleaners. The original concept was developed by Jay Amble.” [via] Link.
Dale writes “This is an enclosure which holds and powers an Airport Express and a set of attached speakers to wirelessly stream music from iTunes. It also incorporates a Palm T|X which acts as an LCD wirelessly remote for iTunes using the Salling Clicker remote control software. The setup provides a nice set of compact wireless speakers for any spot with AC power that’s in Wi-Fi range of your home network.” Link.
Bruce writes “There’s been some hype about Nokia offering music downloads over Bluetooth to phones. This article shows you how to make your own MP3 file server, called the Bluetooth Music Store, that pushes MP3 to any Bluetooth device that supports OBEX.” Link.
