I really think it's an awesome instrument but I think they call it "the first rhythm machine" because that's as close as you can get to call it a common instrument. Actually it seems to be more like a weird little noise maker (which isn't a bad thing at all). It doesn't play any rhythms someone could play a non avant-gardistic piece of music with, I think. But again: It's really cool!
@stefan1024 Well aside from the fact that it doesn't make actual drum sounds, it is a "rhythm" box, it's just that it is shown here doing complex poly-rhythms.
Most sources indicate only two were ever constructed. One lies defunct in the Smithsonian, and the other reputedly disappeared from Stanford. Rumors have it popping up with Kraftwerk in a studio in Germany, but the empirical date here suggests it either found its way to Russia, or another was built.
This is the 3-rd version built by Leon Theremin in the framework of his research work at Moscow State Conservatory in 1965-66. It is in completely operational condition and is a part of Generation Z exhibition dedicated to the history of Russian musical technology.
Excellent! Thank you very much for the clarification. Henry Cowell wrote a concerto for this in 1931. The work was premiered in the 1970s by the Stanford Orchestra under Sandor Salgo. Leland Smith realized the rythmicon part on a computer about the size of an over and under washer-dryer with about 32 RAM.
I think its a Photoresistor, not a tonewheel. I believe that it is operated by holes in the Wheel, somilar to a player piano, but that light passes through.
so its basically uselesss?
DjJayOfficial 3 weeks ago
I really think it's an awesome instrument but I think they call it "the first rhythm machine" because that's as close as you can get to call it a common instrument. Actually it seems to be more like a weird little noise maker (which isn't a bad thing at all). It doesn't play any rhythms someone could play a non avant-gardistic piece of music with, I think. But again: It's really cool!
stefan1024 10 months ago
@stefan1024 Well aside from the fact that it doesn't make actual drum sounds, it is a "rhythm" box, it's just that it is shown here doing complex poly-rhythms.
metabog 9 months ago
@58:
SmallRubberFeet 11 months ago
haha funny old thing!
ENZEEVIDS 11 months ago
Most sources indicate only two were ever constructed. One lies defunct in the Smithsonian, and the other reputedly disappeared from Stanford. Rumors have it popping up with Kraftwerk in a studio in Germany, but the empirical date here suggests it either found its way to Russia, or another was built.
ggalvanphd 1 year ago
@ggalvanphd
This is the 3-rd version built by Leon Theremin in the framework of his research work at Moscow State Conservatory in 1965-66. It is in completely operational condition and is a part of Generation Z exhibition dedicated to the history of Russian musical technology.
chronotop1 1 year ago 2
@chronotop1
Extra information: asmir.info/rhythmicon1.htm
chronotop1 1 year ago
@chronotop1
Excellent! Thank you very much for the clarification. Henry Cowell wrote a concerto for this in 1931. The work was premiered in the 1970s by the Stanford Orchestra under Sandor Salgo. Leland Smith realized the rythmicon part on a computer about the size of an over and under washer-dryer with about 32 RAM.
Again, thanks for the video and the details!
ggalvanphd 1 year ago
COOL PROFESSSOR1 FINALLY I CAN HEAR THE FAMOUS RHYTHMICON.
buddyeagle 1 year ago
after a time, the rhythm is clear. This is like a synthesizer! What a genius. The Integrated circuit didn't even exist then.
Cds56 1 year ago
I really wish we could get some schematics of this thing to make it available to more people.
Rhythmicons 2 years ago 7
Comment removed
Voltor07 2 years ago
I think its a Photoresistor, not a tonewheel. I believe that it is operated by holes in the Wheel, somilar to a player piano, but that light passes through.
Rhythmicons 2 years ago
WOW! Is that thing old or what! O_O
CarlCampbell 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this! were you reading my mind or something??
rockbandmidi 2 years ago