[sdiy] Dewanatron Hymnotron and Swarmatron

[Robin Whittle]

(To Analogue Heaven and Synth DIY.)

On AH, John Neilson posted a link to a YouTube video of the
SoundsAndGear NAMM interview, with Leon Dewan, demonstrating the
Hymnotron which he and his cousin Brian Dewan designed and built.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgakrRWs0r8

This is a just-intonation chord organ with a specialized keyboard and
and extraordinary pedal-steel-guitar-like slide function.  I guess the
Dewans are from Upstate New York, since they are performing soon at the
hamlet of Upper Jay.

Google indicates that the word "MIDI" does not appear at the Dewanatron
site:

  http://www.dewanatron.com

This is a zone of timber panels and cases, chicken-head knobs and
devices which respond immediately and directly to their physical
controls.  These instruments do not emulate or resemble any device I
have heard of, though of course the Hymnotron resembles an organ.  From
their manifesto:

     While inherently musical in their impulses, the machines have no
     discipline and require governing by judicious overseers.  (...)

     The operators begin a process which develops into a shape beyond
     their authorship; the operators become gardeners, watering and
     pruning, mulching and composting sound. The music becomes a
     contrapuntal morass, twining and climbing, chirping, buzzing,
     blinking, snapping. The operators guide the instruments, and the
     instruments carry the operators and others through an ever
     metamorphosing landscape.

Check out the Swarmatron:

  http://www.dewanatron.com/instruments.php?page=swarmatron

     The span control expands the sound of a swarm of eight notes
     spread just a few cents apart into a wide chord of equidistant
     pitches spread over the entire spectrum. The player can "taffy
     pull" the resulting chord by using the span control and pitch
     ribbon in tandem.

I just wanted to bring to list members' attention these instruments and
the philosophy which stands behind them.  Swarmatrons and other
instruments are available for purchase at:

  http://bigcitymusic.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=3


  - Robin         http://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/dfish/