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Steampunk sequencer generates audio from Lego blocks
In 2007, steampunk musician Yoshi Akai wrote his master’s thesis on how to turn color into sound, and he’s been dreaming up unorthodox ways of producing music ever since. Case in point: the Lego Sequencer MR II, a contraption that uses three-dimensional Lego structures to emulate a three-channel, eight-step sequencer, where each differently colored plastic brick produces a different sound and complex combinations (including tremolo and overdrive) are possible when the blocks are stacked. Akai tells us it works using resistors embedded in each and every block, with parallel networks of resistors formed as the bricks pile up, equalling lower resistance and thus a higher frequency sound generated by the contraption. While the result certainly won’t back a techno track — Akai says he’s “building sound more than playing sound” — it looks like a good step up from the lethargic phaser noise produced by his Wireless Catcher, a lot of fun to play with, and much less expensive than hiring a team of hot models. Video after the break.
Continue reading Steampunk sequencer generates audio from Lego blocks
Steampunk sequencer generates audio from Lego blocks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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VU Meter finagled into a PSP, reminds us of a time when the PSP was sexy
Sure, the PSP is still a mighty attractive piece of hardware. “Handsome,” you might say, but that heart-pounding allure is all but gone these days. While we wait a few more years for Sony to rectify that with a PSP 2, we can drool over another mod by “f00 f00.” This time he’s managed to squeeze a working VU Meter onto the back of the ever-moddable machine. Sure, it’s not a revolution in the world of PSP hacking, but it’s impressive and somehow comforting in its own we-guess-the-PSP-is-still-pretty-cool sort of way. Video is after the break.
Continue reading VU Meter finagled into a PSP, reminds us of a time when the PSP was sexy
VU Meter finagled into a PSP, reminds us of a time when the PSP was sexy originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 20:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Yoshi Akai’s Wireless Catcher senses nearby wireless waves, makes music (video)
What’s cute, cuddly, and makes all sorts of bizarro noises when it senses wireless waves? Yoshi Akai’s Wireless Catcher, of course! This analog synth contraption is simplistic in nature and complex in design, utilizing an onboard antenna to sense WiFi signals and then alter the sounds being outputted depending on signal strength and direction. It’s not exactly the symphony that Bach forgot to write, but it’s certainly beautiful in its own nerdy way. Have a look at the video past the break, won’t you?
Continue reading Yoshi Akai’s Wireless Catcher senses nearby wireless waves, makes music (video)
Yoshi Akai’s Wireless Catcher senses nearby wireless waves, makes music (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Engadget German, MAKE | Yoshi AKAI | Email this | Comments
Ghostbusters Wii mod sets a new bar, proves that dreams do come true
The Wii has seen its fair share of related modifications, and while our favorite Nintendo mod still has Pixar written all over it, this one just might take the cake for the Big N’s freshest console. Created by an obviously obsessed (and über-talented) Ghostbusters fan, the Nintendo Wii Proton Pack is a fully functional device that beautifully complements the Wii version of the Ghostbusters video game. For those doubting the thought that went into this, take a listen: the Blue Power Cell accurately reflects how much power you have left, and the Thrower has been designed to covertly hold both the Wiimote and the Nunchuk. Better still, the Wiimote’s internal speaker enables the pack to make true-to-film noises. Hit the source link to get a better look, but we’d recommend suiting up in your best 80s era, ghoul-busting garb before diving in.
Ghostbusters Wii mod sets a new bar, proves that dreams do come true originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Joystiq | Ghostbusters Fans | Email this | Comments
Two PowerBooks spliced into one epic snowboard (video)
We don’t know that this requires much more explanation than the title. A couple of rad dudes from the German-speaking parts of Europe have taken up tools against their old titanium PowerBooks G4s and produced the righteous bit of snow-surfing kit you see above. It was done for a competition asking for creative ways to re-utilize old gear, though judging by all the flopping and crashing that ensued in their tests, this isn’t exactly useful. See it on video after the break, and if it really catches your fancy, the PowerBook snowboard can be found on eBay, though no one has been mad enough to bid for it yet.
Continue reading Two PowerBooks spliced into one epic snowboard (video)
Two PowerBooks spliced into one epic snowboard (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink Silicon Alley Insider, Gizmodo | Zweckentfremder.at | Email this | Comments
The titanium iPhone is real, really real (video)
digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/apple/Engadget_gets_a_titanium_iPhone_3GS_on_video’; You came, you saw, some of you were not convinced. So what’s a gadget blog to do when picture evidence isn’t enough? Why, get those pictures moving, of course, right up to 30 frames a second. The stunning titanium iPhone 3GS from this morning is back, proving not only its existence in the corporeal realm, but also its much-disputed ability to place a call — something that even the default plastic-backed units sometimes struggle with. Look, we’re not in Austria and therefore can’t lick it and tell you if it really tastes of titanium, but on the evidence we have the thing looks legit. Judge for yourself after the break.
Gallery: Titanium iPhone 3GS mod
Continue reading The titanium iPhone is real, really real (video)
The titanium iPhone is real, really real (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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iPhone 3GS mod ditches plastic cover in favor of titanium vestment
digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_3GS_titanium_mod’; Engadget reader Martin Schrotz is a man after our own hearts. He’s taken the editors’ choice for best smartphone of 2009 and tricked it out with a handsome new back cover made out of titanium. Not sufficiently pleased with the plastic casing provided by Apple, Martin opened up his favorite CAD program and refashioned his phone into the much hardier and indubitably more awesome machine you see before you. The new backing is built out of a titanium alloy that allows RF waves through and therefore requires no plastic parts to let the wireless communications flow. Check out the gallery for more before hitting the link below to bug Martin to provide you with a video or a price estimate.
Gallery: Titanium iPhone 3GS mod
iPhone 3GS mod ditches plastic cover in favor of titanium vestment originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Stimmmopped lets you tune your axe with LEDs
Look, that BOSS TU-2 has served you (and eleventy billion other guitarists) well, but isn’t it time for something a bit different in the pedal board mix? Stimmmopped is that very thing, which is a darling little contraption that uses LEDs rather than a microphone in order to tell you if your strings are tuned as they should be. Put simply, the device illuminates a string with a pair of lights, both of which are flashing at the frequency that the string should be vibrating at if it’s in tune; if you’re off, the illuminated part of the string will appear to be moving (thanks, stroboscopic effect!), and if you’re on the money, the lights will appear fixed. Have a peek at the source link for more, but don’t go building one yourself without a steady hand and a few vacation days to spare.
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Stimmmopped lets you tune your axe with LEDs originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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