in the embodiment, strings are selected by only the left hand.
The problem with guitars is that they are fretted, and this defeats the purpose of using a resistive ribbon with ~infinite resolution. Also, no open string is a minor problem on the cello but a major problem with the guitar, which depends on open strings to play chords.
Not that I don't have ideas to transform other instruments in other ways.
@signboyy There is basically a guitar version of this in a way, it's called the Misa Digital. It's a touch pad instead of strings and buttons all over the fretboard
@signboyy I'm not sure but it's pretty expensive. Look it up on here, there are a bunch of demo videos and I think if you find the right video, there's a link to their site. I'm personally waiting to buy one until they put out a Studio version of it so there's a lower price
I would definitely buy one of these if i saw a demo of a real violinist playing something complicated on it to show it actually works well
I can imagine this being hooked up to an amp and a few pedals for some really cool synth like sounds and finally be able to do give synths some real human flavour.
Someone has probably already pointed this out, but just in case: Right now the tuning is the same as a viola rather than a cello. All you would need to do is lower the pitch by one octave. The A string would be 220Hz, not 440.
@cellocorman I forgot to finish my post... I just want to add that this is a very cool invention and I look forward to seeing a video of a good cello player using it.
You are correct. I set the tuning an octave higher because with the circuitry I am using now, low notes sound distorted. It's very straight forward to correct this, once I get better amps. Nice ear, I sometimes have problems telling octaves apart without a piano nearby.
I know that the instrument is an octave too high right now. An octave too high sounds better on the electronic I use right now, but once I get better amps/circuitry I will lower the tuning.
It's not too hard. Tactile feedback is very necessary for pitch (think how hard it is to play the theremin in tune) but in general it seems volume can be controlled well only with audio feedback.
the sweetness. keep up the good work. hope to see more advancements. right now it sounds just as scratchy as a beginner player. now sure if that's a technical limitation or induced by the electronics.
It is amazing how much it sounds like an actual cello! I am very curious how it would sound if a profesional Cellist would play it.... I am also curious what the other extra options are besides playing Cello without a bow?
Thank you. I am going to work on learning more song on this instrument. Besides the free-space bow, there is more than one string (as compared to the theremin cello), more control of tuning, and there will be more options on the final tone.
By the way, do you think I should post this in the thereminworld forum?
@magnetovore Good to hear you are studying the instrument, but If I were you I would search for a very good
Cellist (no offence:-) to show of the possibilities (on Thereminworld)! Another thing is that the Theremin cello wasn't really ment to be a Cello but a Theremin wich could be played in a more traditional way and there for would be much easier than the Space Controled Theremin. Your cello is much more simular to the Traditional one, so change of tone color would for starters be great!
Now that I think about it, you're right about the theremin cello being more of a theremin then a cello. Anyway, I think I'll make a post in thereminworld soon, just to show people how far the instrument is so far.
This is fascinating! Hope you'll continue to post updates. I also agree with Copperleaves and encourage you to work with a cellist as you refine this instrument. One of the big mistakes electronic instrument makers have made in the past is failing to seek input from the very people who would be interested in using new instruments. Best of luck to you!
Learning the acoustic cello is what gave me the idea to build this. I have been learning for the past two years, and my cello teacher has given me suggestions when I've shown him my prototypes. This instrument is not designed to be avant-garde or one of a kind. While it is novel, the idea is that a regular cellist can pick it up in a few minutes. The idea isn't to replace the acoustic cello but to give the cellist more options. Anyway, thanks for the great comment. Read my blog?
AERPHONIC HERE: I must say you are a brilliant young inventor. Can you identify the source of the hum? Please describe the resistive strips and how do you keep them from wearing out or getting dirty? Were the strip resistance values determined by a cut and try method? Are oscillators involved, and if so, what kind? Great success to you!
P.S. Do you rosin your magnet......LOL! The cello sound is remarkably like a real cello...nice vibrating string quality.
The hum is from my amplifier. The resistive strips are from a company called spectra symbol ( spectrasymbol . com ). I use the ThinPot variety. These ribbons are enclosed in plastic and have 3M tape on one side. The ribbon resistance is constant/set by the company. To change the frequency compression and the root note of the string I use trimmer resistors. The whole thing runs on a Voltage Controlled Oscillator. You should look at my PPA (in description). Thanks again!
This is a very exciting innovation! It has an advantage over Leon Theremin's electronic cello (invented in the early 1930's) because it has multiple ribbons, rather than a single one. To be of real use to musicians, the magnetic cello must have at least two voices (so "double stopping" is possible) and ultimately it will probably have to be MIDI capable. If you haven't done so already, find yourself a good cellist and let that person guide you. Good luck and thanks for posting this great video!
Thank you! I have been learning the cello for the past two years, and my cello teacher has given me some good suggestions. Since there is only one oscillator, double stops are so far impossible, but, at least according to my cello teacher, this is not too much of a problem. Probably later I can make a double stop filter (kind of like a chord filer) activated either by the player's thumb or a foot petal. Thanks for the useful comment. Read my blog (link in description) if you want.
Must have!!!
affablegiraffable 2 months ago
lol Kinda like a theremin and cello hybrid.
c4r50n1 2 months ago
@c4r50n1 The instrument is loosely based on the Theremin Cello, in fact.
magnetovore 2 months ago
@magnetovore Oh, that's cool. Can you link me to it.
c4r50n1 2 months ago
@c4r50n1 I don't think I can post url's in the comments. I'll PM you the link.
magnetovore 2 months ago
Magneto would be proud
pepparkatten 3 months ago 2
it wasn't in tune at all. it sounded like a 2 year old trying to sing opera. just awful
rruutthhable 4 months ago
That is wonderous,
I hope you find fame and fortune with it.
PatrickLohKamp 4 months ago
but the whole point of playing the cello or any other stringed instrument, is to feel the resistance of the strings on your hand and on your bow.
mellowcello123 4 months ago
This is incredible!!!! What generates the tone of the instrument? This kind of innovative thinking could save classical music from obscurity.
rchrdbass 4 months ago
Comment removed
rickardheterjag 4 months ago
@rickardheterjag
Unpaired electron spin.
magnetovore 4 months ago
thumbs up for VSAUCE
jstcradiag 4 months ago 3
Vsauce army approaching!
SuperNintendoGameboy 4 months ago
is it the abc's or twinkle little stars?O.O
zombieboy1121 4 months ago
We want Bach's cello suite No. 1 Prelude on that puppy! Bring us the music!
kebellutahedu 4 months ago
@kebellutahedu thatll be a while lolol
purpleAiPEy 4 months ago
fucken magnets. how do they work
Happypali 4 months ago
easier to play than a regular cello because you dont have to focus on fiddling on individual strings.
there needs to be a guitar version of this so people dont have to worry which strings they are strumming
signboyy 5 months ago
@signboyy
in the embodiment, strings are selected by only the left hand.
The problem with guitars is that they are fretted, and this defeats the purpose of using a resistive ribbon with ~infinite resolution. Also, no open string is a minor problem on the cello but a major problem with the guitar, which depends on open strings to play chords.
Not that I don't have ideas to transform other instruments in other ways.
magnetovore 5 months ago
@signboyy There is basically a guitar version of this in a way, it's called the Misa Digital. It's a touch pad instead of strings and buttons all over the fretboard
cracker27 4 months ago
@cracker27
nice, how much is it?
signboyy 4 months ago
@signboyy I'm not sure but it's pretty expensive. Look it up on here, there are a bunch of demo videos and I think if you find the right video, there's a link to their site. I'm personally waiting to buy one until they put out a Studio version of it so there's a lower price
cracker27 4 months ago
Dude, you're a genius. If this really come to life (and I see no reasons why not), you could make a deal with Apocalyptica or something.
lucaslslopes 5 months ago
Thats not twinkle twinkle little star, Its the ABC song :D
garudaeagle3 5 months ago
Sorry.... KICKSTARTER . COM
kenyablonsky 5 months ago
Seriously....take a look at KICKSTRTER . COM
You have an Awesome Idea and I would definately be interested in seeing this brought to fruition.
kenyablonsky 5 months ago
Comment removed
suparmojo 5 months ago
great work man!! :D
nachodur 5 months ago
Man, u r rly great :D
i hope u can finish ur proyect, and win the nobel :DDDDDDD
its awesome ;)
Greetings from Chile
Monocromatic0 5 months ago
think in CreativeCommons org!
tomydb 5 months ago
I would definitely buy one of these if i saw a demo of a real violinist playing something complicated on it to show it actually works well
I can imagine this being hooked up to an amp and a few pedals for some really cool synth like sounds and finally be able to do give synths some real human flavour.
seriously keep us posted on how this develops
Asanteofficial 5 months ago
@Asanteofficial
Will do!
magnetovore 5 months ago
Do you think you will be trying to sell this piece of equipment when you have a satisfying version? I would be willing to buy one.
Rebel9727 5 months ago
@Rebel9727
I have just started thinking about making kits. It will take some time so hang in there guys!
magnetovore 5 months ago
Someone has probably already pointed this out, but just in case: Right now the tuning is the same as a viola rather than a cello. All you would need to do is lower the pitch by one octave. The A string would be 220Hz, not 440.
cellocorman 5 months ago
@cellocorman I forgot to finish my post... I just want to add that this is a very cool invention and I look forward to seeing a video of a good cello player using it.
cellocorman 5 months ago
@cellocorman
You are correct. I set the tuning an octave higher because with the circuitry I am using now, low notes sound distorted. It's very straight forward to correct this, once I get better amps. Nice ear, I sometimes have problems telling octaves apart without a piano nearby.
magnetovore 5 months ago
@cellocorman
I know that the instrument is an octave too high right now. An octave too high sounds better on the electronic I use right now, but once I get better amps/circuitry I will lower the tuning.
magnetovore 5 months ago
Congratulations :)
DRockdriguez23 5 months ago
Hmm interesting, is it difficult to control the bow if you don't get any physical feedback or is it learned quickly? Very Interesting =)
ZirconCode 5 months ago
@ZirconCode
It's not too hard. Tactile feedback is very necessary for pitch (think how hard it is to play the theremin in tune) but in general it seems volume can be controlled well only with audio feedback.
magnetovore 5 months ago
@ZirconCode
It's pretty easy to use the bow. Actually, the hardest part is getting used to the ribbons because they are just a little bit slick.
magnetovore 5 months ago
Amazing!!!! :D :D :D would be hard to do spiccato!
MrCellodj 5 months ago
amazing!!!!
leonfe26 5 months ago
the sweetness. keep up the good work. hope to see more advancements. right now it sounds just as scratchy as a beginner player. now sure if that's a technical limitation or induced by the electronics.
peliROJO 5 months ago
Have you seen MIT's Hyperviolin and Hypercello? Maybe the Media Lab could help you with ideas on the tibre and expression of the instrument.
sep332 5 months ago
This is really cool! I'd love to see a magnetic violin.
tonewisemusic 5 months ago
@tonewisemusic
No reason that that can't be done.
magnetovore 5 months ago
nice work. guess that makes you a baller.
CallMeStorrm 5 months ago
That's a very cool idea. It's like one of those future instruments you'd see on Star Trek or Buck Rogers (the 80's version)! Great work!
eliothochberg 5 months ago
@magnetovore
dude thats crazy why didnt i think of that now u gonna be a millionaire
AMAZING stuff well done
nyigguh1 5 months ago
Cool, I like it. The magnetic control is new, resistive strings have been used before.
eurogoldexchange 5 months ago
It is amazing how much it sounds like an actual cello! I am very curious how it would sound if a profesional Cellist would play it.... I am also curious what the other extra options are besides playing Cello without a bow?
thorwaldjorgensen 5 months ago
@thorwaldjorgensen
Thank you. I am going to work on learning more song on this instrument. Besides the free-space bow, there is more than one string (as compared to the theremin cello), more control of tuning, and there will be more options on the final tone.
By the way, do you think I should post this in the thereminworld forum?
magnetovore 5 months ago
Comment removed
thorwaldjorgensen 5 months ago
@magnetovore Good to hear you are studying the instrument, but If I were you I would search for a very good
Cellist (no offence:-) to show of the possibilities (on Thereminworld)! Another thing is that the Theremin cello wasn't really ment to be a Cello but a Theremin wich could be played in a more traditional way and there for would be much easier than the Space Controled Theremin. Your cello is much more simular to the Traditional one, so change of tone color would for starters be great!
thorwaldjorgensen 5 months ago
@thorwaldjorgensen
Now that I think about it, you're right about the theremin cello being more of a theremin then a cello. Anyway, I think I'll make a post in thereminworld soon, just to show people how far the instrument is so far.
And to the cellists out there... want to try?
magnetovore 5 months ago
@magnetovore in any case it is VERY interesting :-) looking forward to hear much more of this new instrument!
thorwaldjorgensen 5 months ago
This is fascinating! Hope you'll continue to post updates. I also agree with Copperleaves and encourage you to work with a cellist as you refine this instrument. One of the big mistakes electronic instrument makers have made in the past is failing to seek input from the very people who would be interested in using new instruments. Best of luck to you!
theremin137 5 months ago
@theremin137
Learning the acoustic cello is what gave me the idea to build this. I have been learning for the past two years, and my cello teacher has given me suggestions when I've shown him my prototypes. This instrument is not designed to be avant-garde or one of a kind. While it is novel, the idea is that a regular cellist can pick it up in a few minutes. The idea isn't to replace the acoustic cello but to give the cellist more options. Anyway, thanks for the great comment. Read my blog?
magnetovore 5 months ago
AERPHONIC HERE: I must say you are a brilliant young inventor. Can you identify the source of the hum? Please describe the resistive strips and how do you keep them from wearing out or getting dirty? Were the strip resistance values determined by a cut and try method? Are oscillators involved, and if so, what kind? Great success to you!
P.S. Do you rosin your magnet......LOL! The cello sound is remarkably like a real cello...nice vibrating string quality.
aerphonic 5 months ago
@aerphonic
The hum is from my amplifier. The resistive strips are from a company called spectra symbol ( spectrasymbol . com ). I use the ThinPot variety. These ribbons are enclosed in plastic and have 3M tape on one side. The ribbon resistance is constant/set by the company. To change the frequency compression and the root note of the string I use trimmer resistors. The whole thing runs on a Voltage Controlled Oscillator. You should look at my PPA (in description). Thanks again!
magnetovore 5 months ago
This is a very exciting innovation! It has an advantage over Leon Theremin's electronic cello (invented in the early 1930's) because it has multiple ribbons, rather than a single one. To be of real use to musicians, the magnetic cello must have at least two voices (so "double stopping" is possible) and ultimately it will probably have to be MIDI capable. If you haven't done so already, find yourself a good cellist and let that person guide you. Good luck and thanks for posting this great video!
copperleaves 5 months ago
@copperleaves
Thank you! I have been learning the cello for the past two years, and my cello teacher has given me some good suggestions. Since there is only one oscillator, double stops are so far impossible, but, at least according to my cello teacher, this is not too much of a problem. Probably later I can make a double stop filter (kind of like a chord filer) activated either by the player's thumb or a foot petal. Thanks for the useful comment. Read my blog (link in description) if you want.
magnetovore 5 months ago