disc.

disc.

8 step sequencer with optical sound

disc.o refers to the early optical sound instruments like Emerick Spielmann's Superpiano (Austria, 1927) which was basically using the same technique of sound creation through a photoelectric process.




The difference is that it doesn´t only use a repetitive method in sound generation - the whole instrument disc.o is based on the repetitive principle of the later developed step sequencer.
The spatial organization of the single tones in a circle creates a metaphorical visual representation of the loop - the base of repetitive music. The synergy of the traveling light on the table and the acoustical response in the room creates a spatial experience of this loop.

construction & function

disc.o consists of two round plates surrounded by 8 speakers hanging from the ceiling.
Each speaker is connected to one of the 8 corresponding disc player installed on the main plate.
Each player has an associated LED-Spot, fixed on the second plate above, which provides light to the appropriate disc. These LED-Spots are controlled by a simple 8 step switch with changeable speed.
A photodiode replaces the usual laser in the disc player and transfers the light through straight amplification into sound.
Simple graphical cutout´s in the disc´s generate the sound structure. By changing the speed or the track position of the disc player the frequency of light disruption is creating a tone.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• step sequencer
• optical sound
• muk
• vienna
• sound machine