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.
Nat sent in a link to his brother-in-law’s Flickr photo set of the a great Cigarbox guitar construction. In MAKE 04, we have a fun article on how-to build and play a sweet-sounding 3-string instrument in an afternoon – Link. Bonus link – here’s MAKE Editor-in-Chief Mark Frauenfelder playing a version he made, right in your browser or in iTunes (QuickTime).
“The Musical Instrument Makers Forum, an interactive forum for the discussion of musical instrument construction, design and repair – Acoustic guitar building, electric guitar making, archtop guitar building, violin making, dulcimer making, mandolin building, banjo building, or any other type of lutherie; pickup winding and rewinding; drum making; flute and recorder making and repair; brass instrument building and repair; and more. For makers of all instruments at any skill level from expert to wannabe.” Thanks Dave! Link.
“Silent Bob records all incoming music, streaming or otherwise, from the soundcard. When the user decides to record and pushes the button, no problem Silent-Bob has already started the recording 2 minutes earlier! Never miss the begining!” This could be handy for podcasters or anyone looking to record sounds to make their own ringtones. [via] Link.
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.
