I need to get out more.....

[Synthaholic AKA The Shark]

Now this is a very interesting concept.  However, a simpler (or at
least smaller) approach would be to employ a *classic* analog
computer.


On Wed, 14 May 1997 19:02:25 +0200, you wrote:

>Hi..
>
>	Here's a very odd idea I just came up with: an idea for a non-repeating, 
>non-deterministic, er, thing....
>
>You know those office toys you can get, where there's a swinging pendulum 
>which moves over a base containing magnets? Basically the magnets ensure 
>that the pendulum never comes to rest; it's always being repelled or 
>attracted by the various magnets.
>
>And, you also know how the theremin works, by sensing proximity of the 
>player's hands to the antennae?
>
>So...you make a large version of the office toy. Say, get a room, place 
>magnets randomly over the floor, then string a pendulum from the ceiling. 
>Then you build several theremin 'front ends', ie antennae and the pickup 
>stage. Attach something to the end of the pendulum that will be detected by 
>the antennae (not sure what this would be off the top of my head). Now 
>distribute the antennae around the room. Feed the antennae outputs to a 
>large, preferably complex, modular synth, so that the antennae produce CVs 
>that you can patch into your synth.
>
>Then, set the pendulum going!
>
>The idea is that you get non-repeating, non-deterministic control voltages 
>from the antennae as they respond to the proximity of the pendulum. Maybe 
>putting the antennae near each of the magnets would be a good place to start 
>(make sure they don't get hit by the pendulum).
>
>It would look and sound great for an installation piece...:)
>
>I think I'll go outside for a bit now...:)
>
>--
>Matthew S. Padden
>Computer Music Research Group
>Room M2/08, Music Dept.
>Huddersfield University
>Queensgate
>Huddersfield
>England HD1 3DH
>p: +44 1484 422288 x2402
>f: +44 1484 472656
>e: mattp at mindless.com
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
>"The masses are asses and need Tonto's glasses!" (Mark Mothersbaugh)
>

- Scott Gravenhorst (Synthaholic)

Programming: The Ultimate Computer Game.  Unfortunately, you never win.
Hell: Windows 95, 16 bit apps and Banyan Vines

A Quote: "I didn't do it."     -- Bart Simpson