Music is deeply tied up with motion; seeing that in a machine is somehow satisfying. Soundmachines, from the enigmatically-titled Berlin studio TheProduct*, is an interactive physical installation made from optical turntables. By moving the “tone arm” – really in this case an optical sensor attached to an extended mount – you can change rhythms and sound sweeps.

We’ve naturally seen many visualizations, tangible and digital, that make loops into wheels. But it’s worth noting the particular connection to a kinetic experiment by The Books’ Nick Zammuto from the film earlier this week. In fact, my one criticism of this piece is that the rhythms are so regular. Some syncopation in a machine like this would be not only pleasing, but immediately visible to the eye and therefore understandable. Perhaps even decoupling the wheels from the motor could allow a user to experiment with sound. That doesn’t mean you have to go from minimal techno to irregular chaos, but there’s quite a lot in between.

That’s not to take away from the impact of this piece, and in particular, the beauty of its installation. The presentation in an iconic object is a message in itself. And the circle remains the ideal design for a looped rhythm, embedded as it is in the repetition we perceive in our world.

http://www.the-product.org/soundmachines

More details:

Three units, which are resembling standard record players, translate concentric visual patterns into control signals for further processing in any music software. The rotation of the discs, each holding three tracks, can be synced to a sequencer.
The Soundmachines premiered on the Volkswagen New Beetle stand at the IAA motor show in late Summer 2011. In cooperation with the sounddesigner/producer Yannick Labbé of TRICKSKI fame, we developed three unique discs, each controlling one track of an Ableton Live Set exclusively made for the Event. The show was supported by a set of realtime generated visuals, running on a 25m wide LED wall.


One/One oneone-studio.com
TheProduct* the-product.org

Client

Volkswagen

Agency

Vok Dams, Hamburg

Sounddesign/Producer IAA
Yannick Labbé yannicklabbe.com

Special Thanks

Matt Karau
 matt.karau.com
Andreas Schmelas invertednothing.com

(See also a compelling-looking visual collage. It’s supposed to be set to John Cage’s “First Interlude,” but because of copyright concerns, is instead (arguably) set to Cage’s 4’33″. Let’s hope they don’t get sued for that.

Moving house is a tiresome affair at the best of times, but takes a whole new level of energy when you are basically something of a geek. When you have a room converted into a studio and most rooms in your house or apartment contain at least some element of gadgetry spilling out with a mess of chargers, documentation, manuals or interfaces then you probably don’t want to move often. Or at all. Much like learning the tooth fairy is not real (sorry) or realising that Sony has nothing but contempt for its customers (blackhat) it is an inevitability. It will happen. When it does, consider some of these tips that I have found useful in my own recent moving.

1. Keeper of boxes

Keep boxes for your studio visual monitors – such as LCD screens – and your studio audio monitors – such as reference speakers. For sake of shipping for repairs or warranty claims, and given their delicacy, it pays to keep the boxes for your studio monitor speakers in any case. This stuff is the most difficult to do without should something happen to it, so more than most other items you should consider packing down and storing these boxes where possible.

2. Plastic storage treasure

Plastic storage containers are much better then cardboard boxes for cables and electronic gear that might be affected by moisture and dust, or require some greater protection from clumsy handling. With the clip-on lids it only takes a small band of packing tape over the handles to secure, and they can be stacked for storage afterward. If they are unpacked after the move, they fit neatly enough inside each other for storage, and are always useful for shepherding gear around where sherpas are rare.

3. Pull the power

If you are like me you will have packed the bedroom, bathrooms, kitchen and lounge room well before you will even have moved one item from the studio or studio space. There are always so many projects to work on, so many great sites to read, and so much internet to download. You are addicted to being awesome. Go cold turkey. Pull the power to your computers, unplug the studio monitors, turn the modem/router off and disengage. Commit to the move and the hunger to get precious interwebz and megahurtz again will motivate you to hurry up and finish the process!

4. Mobile geek life

Any moving tips and hints document I have read lately has recommended making an overnight bag of the clothes, work items and documents you will need. The same should be said for your geek lifestyle. If you have user names and passwords you haven’t memorised, then copy those down somewhere portable and secure. Just as importantly, get yourself geeked up in a way that will keep you productive. Once you accept the downtime of moving house, you can work out what you can do instead of staring blankly at the walls. Even if that just means playing Sudoku on a Nintedo DS. A lot.

5. Have no mercy

This is a great chance to look at the box you haven’t opened in the last 4 years, yet you have lugged between houses multiple times. Have you ever used those old XLR cables? Are you EVER going to use that Behringer patch bay? Are you really going to circuit bend that Casio? Does that soldering iron even have a power supply? Take stock of this stuff and be merciless. Whilst the golden rule of music production hardware is cited as “sell nothing”, there is much to be said for clearing out clutter and freeing up your workspace and storage space.

6. Back right up

I shouldn’t even have to say this, but this is a time back your data up. Back your data up even from the back-ups and back those up. Maybe not that far, but I’m simply stressing the need to back-up. By saying “back-up” a lot. More then likely somewhere around your geek desk is a pile of CD-R’s and DVD-R’s. You probably have an external drive with data backed-up on it that has some “temporary” back-ups of stuff you mean to “file and sort later”. The time is now. The golden rule here is to consider this your ultimate deadline to have healthier filing and back-ups. Consider purchasing (if you haven’t already) a disc filing case. Consider committing to a simple but effective back up system once you have moved, which takes the pressure of the backup you need to do now. The chances of something being dropped, stolen or otherwise affected in the move are very real, and anything you can do to prepare for this will make your life easier.

7. Accept the different

This is a strange point, but one worth mentioning. Despite my adventures, I struggle to let go of my ergonomic and tweaked studio space each time I have to move. This makes less sense looking back over each move, and realizing I have had a significantly better studio experience each time, going from the “in the bedroom” setup in a share house, through to custom furniture in a converted and dedicated room. In between however, I have made makeshift studios by pushing trinkets off of cluttered tables in short lease corporate apartments, almost entirely re-arranged hotel rooms, and even selfishly dominated entire bench tables in rowdy European backpacker hostels. Beer stained optical mouse and all. Some of my band’s best tunes (and most of the worst) have germinated in some of these challenging and inspiring places.

8. Boxes beat seats

The average studio setup has a lot of gear that I call “back seat” gear. Those things with knobs and faders and LED’s that don’t lend themselves to being thrown in a box with other stuff and would better be put on the back seat of the car. This can include computer monitors, but you have hopefully kept the boxes for those. For synthesisers, mixers, effects units, grooveboxes, drum machines, VJ gear, midi controllers and similar, it quickly becomes evident that a lot of foam and more boxes than one would have anticipated are necessary. People who aren’t geeks or creative types won’t get this. They will look at the studio like a kitchen or bathroom and presume you can just throw it all in a box and be done with. These are the people you make carry the heavy boxes. The obvious point here worth repeating is to have more boxes than you think you need, and as much foam, bubble wrap or blankets as possible. A lesson learnt the hard way.

9. Warn your helpers

There is a chance that you will be utilizing the assistance of someone – or some people – who have offered, for some strange reason, to help you to move. There is a chance that they will not be from the same mindset as you. For example: Where you see a sought after vintage analogue synthesiser, they probably see a battered old keyboard. Where you see a Torrent box, they might see an amusing old Pentium III housed in a sun discolored case. Where you see an Important Thing in a Logical Temporary Space, they might see some clutter that’s getting in the way. Be kind to them and be patient. They are after all helping you.

10. Try some alternatives

If you can’t make music, play WoW, edit video, write code or design during the move, and the idea of being constrained to wherever your laptop ends up doesn’t appeal greatly, then consider the time as a holiday to test some alternatives. If you have a PSP or a DS and the appropriate OS modifications then try some homebrew applications like PSP Rhythm or Protein DS Scratch. If you have been curious about Linux or alternatives to Windows, why not try an install? If you have web access you could waste hours on ffffound or playing with online 303 emulators under the pretence of inspirational immersion. Once you feel guilty for that time wasting, you could go to the library and get out books on programming or music theory or photography, and consider a life where everything is on loan and you never have to box or move a single possession again. Consider moving in to the library itself. Plot where you might build a little fort for entertainment and, well, defense.

And then it’s time to unpack.

Fran sends the details, for your enjoyment:

1. Studio rig: Live 5 + Logic Pro on an iBook 1.33 / 1GB RAM (Yamaha HS50M monitors not pictured)
2. Desk: Available from Target/Amazon for $149: Manhattan Oak Veneer Desk (on sale at brick & mortar, but beware: assembly is more difficult than programming a DX7 via the LCD alone)
3. Accessories: LaCie FA Porsche drives (250GB each) in corner, Blue Mic Snowball, iPod, and Pink Hello Kitty CD case. Ed: No link to the Hello Kitty case, so for that you’re on your own!
4. Single Made Here: Tracking Treasure Down remix (Francis Preve Mix) hit #1 on Billboard Club charts yesterday (June 22, 2006)
5. Next Single on its Way: Fran: “Just used this exact rig it to remix Gabriel & Dresden’s NEXT single.”

6. Next Book: “Also the laptop used to write my next book The Remixer’s Bible

Fran has also done a lot of development, including developing the sound content and presets for Live 5 and Operator, Polysix presets for KorgUser.net, and other stuff he doesn’t want me to tell you about. (Also confidential: the super-secret location of his condo hideaway. And I practically publish my address.)

Okay, I’ll just join in this shameless promotion of Fran. Here’s his album:

Tracking Treasure Down

(Yeah, I know I was just knocking Apple DRM. So I’ll burn and re-rip. Actually, that’s an interesting question … I can compare my AAC recompressed version to the original, and compare that to Fran’s master. Will be anxious to see what frequency content gets lost / artifacts introduced in the process.)

And his upcoming book:

The Remixer’s Guide

Now, I’m happy to do that for other readers, too, in exchange for taking your crib public. So send in your studios, if you like!

Now, just to further demonstrate the advantage of tuck-away keyboard drawers (hmmm, I may need to get one of these attachments for my desk, which is from, cough, Pottery Barn):

Chair for the silence consists of two elements.
The first one is a chair that can provide 32 vibrations,
the second is music of 34 tracks for touch and hearing.
People can experience this by sitting in the chair and dropping the phonograph needle.

We can recognize pursuing sensual peculiarity, commonality and interaction
between sounds and vibration by this chaise longue.

The vibrations from vibrators are from 5hz to 120hz,
and sounds from headphone are from 5hz to 80hz.

34 tracks (2ch * 14) sound files are controlled by a signal from Ms.Pinky.
It means people can scratch 34 tracks by one record.

More specs and images after the jump, if that still doesn’t make sense . . .

The secret to this magic is Ms. Pinky, a control record for scratching that can be used with custom software. (An object for use in the Max/MSP modular environment is included with the package.) Now, if you can figure out exactly what’s going on from these diagrams, you’re ahead of me. But it’s a fascinating way of listening to records — er, 34-track audio — er, sitting. Daito has a long resume of other projects involving avant-garde DJing and live visuals.

Related:
More turntable art installations using Ms. Pinky
Ms. Pinky Pets and Friends with links to other art and performance using the system [Ms. Pinky]

Designer Reynold Rodriguez writes CDM with details of his 00, a luxury turntable stand that’s “really about people who dig vinyl, own hundred of records and have their turntables setup on top of cinder blocks.” More after the jump.

Reynold has created this beautiful custom DJ stand among other works of art. If you think you know how sexy a chair can be, prepare to be humbled browsing through his site. (PS, Reynold, I want that martini glass.) Scroll down for a photo.

He writes:

The DJ table is produced by custom order.
Price is $2,970.00 USD.

It is made of composite wood and plastic components and Hand-Veneered in Teak.
It is designed to fit two turntables battle style
and a standard 10″ / 2 channel mixer.
We also incluide two flat panel inserts for substituting the turntable(s) for CD players.

DJ Table ships UPS 2nd day for @ 250.00 in two separate boxes for the
top/base. Top bolts onto base via 4 supplied machine screws.
There is also a provision for weighing the base unit with sand media via an opening in the base as well as a drain “porthole” in the bottom (for heavy turntablism or club level resonance).

Currently, we would be able to ship a table within two to three
weeks, lead times vary depending on production overages. I can process a MC/Visa
card or await check clearance.

00 DJ table has been Featured in Editorials in Flaunt Magazine, BPM Magazine, Exhibited at the Milan Salone Satellite, New York ICFF, LA -CABOOM design festival and the ESQUIRE Design House. Ed: And now CDM.

At the moment the client list incluides well known Dj / producers, and Music Industry profesionals.
For the time being I think we will keep their names private, I dont want to piss them off.
I design furniture in general , but for some reason this personal experiment has become a very big draw, so we are riding the wave.

I’m still jonesing for the ultimate computer workstation design statement — not that I’d be able to afford it, just because I’d like to see one. For his part, Reynold says fuggedaboutit: computers have a long way to go in their “aesthetic evolution.” Okay, I get it: the turntables make a better design statement. And this certainly counts among the best furniture for turntables I’ve seen.

Previously:

Dream DJ Furniture, Pt. I

Pt. II

Pt. III

Show us your workplace

(Less sexy) computer music furniture

You know the problem: computer furniture seems to be built for imaginary people with undersized tower computers who never actually do anything. Want to integrate a music keyboard, computer, monitors, and a rack of gear in a small space? Good luck! But James (of reflexaudio and the fabulous new blog Retro thing) sends along a great solution:

Australian manufacturer M Rack makes fantastically designed studio furniture that’d be great for apartment studios. They racks are expensive (the setup in the attached pic runs about $2200), but they’re beautifully made. As a vital bonus, everything’s within arm’s reach. The site pics are horrible, so I’ve attached a snapshot of Terry Williams’ rig.

Lots of different options, so there may be something on their site that works for you. Thanks, James!

M Rack Studio Furniture [M Rack website with furniture details]

Play guess the gear! James just added the whole gear list from Terry in the comments, so before you peek, see if you can intuit what’s on there. (Especially challenging with the software — you’ll have to do a personality analysis or something.)

The turntable tables keep rolling in. Gizmodo has an entry from the Milan Furniture Fair which is beautifully crafted, though for some reason I imagine it surrounded by shag carpeting. Probably just me, but we’ll never know — no link to the designer.

Todd Campbell writes CDM with his own design, by far the coolest yet. Gorgeous wood, neo-future art deco styling (anyone remember Douglas Adams’ Starship Titanic?), and the translucent legs have pulsing disco lighting. (Scroll through the photos on Todd’s site, aptly named sick style. Thanks, Todd!)

For those of you keeping score, that’s Cool Turntable Tables = 4, Cool Computer Tables = 0. Whether you can afford these luxury items (I can’t!), designers’ interest in turntables clearly demonstrates a sense of what the object means for music. So why not computers, too? It’s long been my belief that musicianship and stage presence are about the human being, whether they’re using a record player (imagine trying to tell Edison about scratching!), concert grand piano, jaw harp, whatever — so where are the computers? Have you seen a designer who “gets” the computer as a creative object? Let us know.

Update: of course, turntable furniture might make you feel like a star, but not as much as a huge crowd of rock fans you can stick on your wall, as found by Tom at Music Thing.

As CDM continues its hunt for the ultimate studio furniture, here's my favorite reader tip yet:

DUAL Furniture
in San Francisco has gorgeous custom birchwood furniture designed to
your specs. There's the usual DJ furniture — record cabinets and the
like — but DUAL wins out for cool hunters with its floating coffins,
suspended elegantly from the ceiling by wire. Now if only someone could
design something this lovely for laptops and keyboards. (Oh, yes, that
and "if only money were no object." Sure, we're supposed to be poor as
musicians, but . . . look at the pretty furniture!)

Easily topping the cool factor of the floating DJ turntable is the alien spaceship cockpit of DJ furniture: the DJ Kreemy Table.
(Thanks to a reader for reminding of this!) Designed by Karim Rashid,
this all-fiberglass, dual-deck+mixer design with integrated power and
lighting will set you back (get ready for this) just under US$3000. So
you'll be nice and comfy spinning at home when you're not too busy
dealing crack to pay for it. Or you could wait for the Fab Five to
rescue you: the design was hip enough to be featured on an episode of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Fortunately, the folks at Plushpod do have plenty of other sci-fi furniture and accessories that won't require drug dealing to afford.

At home or on the gig, it's a problem: where do you put all
your toys? Most clubs, from avant-garde to hip, don't seem to know what
to do with performers who work with laptops and technology. And, then,
at home, if you've managed not to alienate your significant other yet,
he or she will probably be much happier if you don't have gear
sprawling all over the flat (not to mention, you'll actually be able to
work.)

CDM has an ongoing hunt for solutions. The latest find is the superb custom DJ furniture from Sefour.
There's permanent kit for vinyl and decks, plus folding stands that
clear out of the way. Victoria Willis from Allen & Heath tells me
they made use of the folding X25 DJ stand (outfitted with optional CD
bracket) for their Xone:3D laptop rig.

Looks fantastic, especially if you're mixing vinyl and laptop, but
still begs the question: why doesn't anyone make a rack with a keyboard
stand, optional music stand, and laptop attachment?