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Revision as of 14:07, 18 November 2024
make: synthesizers after the apocalypse
In this project, I will research the various ways in which abandoned media can be re-purposed into sound devices. I see “abandoned media” as discarded devices that no longer serve their original intended purpose, but could still function as something else. For instance, a printer that has an “Internal Communication Problem” being repurposed into a percussive instrument, as happened in Printer Jam.[1] I’ll explore the ideas of speculative sound circuits[2] , where, trough “playful and absurdist methodology” “unlikely technological devices are combined to create sound and performance”, and Salvage Computing[3] trough a series of DIY/DIWO workshops/hangouts. The workshops will be hosted at Klankschool[4], together with Riviera Taylor.
Salvaging sound devices
The real long-term future of computing consists of figuring out how to make the best possible use we can out of the literal millions of devices which already exist https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage_Computing/#fn:12 [how to reference a nested reference?]
Buying new (electronic) parts & components is usually cheaper then repairing or salvaging. Even more conveniently, in the online community of DIY Synthesizers it is common practice to share an Mouser Project Cart[5] alongside the schematics, when publishing your project. This allows you to buy all the needed parts within just a few clicks. To me, this introduces the idea that you need to buy these super specific components in order to succeed, instead of making the inconveniences that come with salvaging part of the creative process. I’ve found that DIY/DIWO moments where these notions are less prominent, way more empowering and educational.
DIWO Hangouts
During the hangouts, we will explore various methods around salvaging components & dismantling devices, making our own instruments using these materials, live coding hardware trough MQTT/OSC[6] servers & applications, and everything in between. Ultimately, they could lead up to a BYOP (Bring Your Own Printer) Orchestra.
The hangouts will be held at the Klankschool, and involve the klankschool community. Me and Riviera will divide the responsibility of hosting, where Riviera will focus more on the server side of things, and my focus will be around hardware. The hangouts will be documented thoroughly, so it can be part of My thesis and shared back to the community of Klankschool, using web2print FLOSS.
Who
- The klankschool community
- Trashure expert Joak
- Operator Radio to talk about post apocalyptic electronic music, but also to create the workshop in a different environment
- Roodkapje to host events such as the BYOP orchestra
- XPUB community
- Creative Coding Utrecht - space to host workshops
Why
When reading about Salvage Computing I got very excited, as it could give me a different vocabulary when working with salvaged electronic components as a material. The last year I’ve been a part of various workshops around DIY/Electronics/Circuit bending etc. and I’ve been increasingly surprised by the way some people spoke about the materials being used. Especially around material that is “broken” (what is broken anyway, who decides when something is broken), it was sometimes seen as valueless and waste, to be discarded and not thought about again.
Instead of turning this project into a consumer blaming, finger-pointing, activist project, I want to take the opportunity to explore if it is actually possible to go in full-salvage mode. What workflows do I need to come up with to salvage these components? Which are the most salvageable, how to recognise them? What can they be used for? And, how to deal with the carcass of the printer? Is the approach a viable way of working, or only for those privileged enough where they can actually spend this much time.
When
November
!No read november!
- Start salvaging an inventory & an inventory of schematics
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- Create a documentation template for salvaging projects
- write this proposal
December
- Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging & documenting
- Prepare DIWO hangouts
- Define DIWO topics
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
Januari
- Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- 1st DIWO hangout at klankschool
Februari
- Continue salvaging
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- 2nd DIWO hangouts at klankschool
March
- Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- 3rd DIWO hangouts at klankschool 14th March 2025 Deadline First Draft Thesis
April
- Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- 4th DIWO hangouts at klankschool 18th April 2025 Deadline Thesis
May
- Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- 5th DIWO hangouts at klankschool
June
- Contact some from the “who” list for possible workshops/DIWO events
- Continue salvaging
- Continuation of the repair club at klankschool
- 6th DIWO hangouts at klankschool
What came before
During my previous studies, my graduation project was about collaborative synthesizers using web technologies. This background in web development means I am very exited about using web2print FLOSS to create a snapshot in time of a living document.In the last couple of years I’ve shifted my focus a bit from the web as a material, to (re)making with hardware. At XPUB, this resulted in turning printers into musical devices, hosting a Colloquium about making music with (salvaged) motors and an earlier attempt to turn a printer into a battery powered pen plotter.
Workshops as a method of sharing knowledge and experience is one of my interests. I’ve been part of many workshops around DIY/Circuit Bending/Synthesizer Building/Permacomputing, and found this a very non-hierarchical way of sharing knowledge and uncovering unknown concepts.
Which context
I want to position the research in the middle of the ideas of salvage computing and (my own perspective on) DIY culture. Within the DIY synth community, DIY/DIWO is a common practice, experimenting with various circuits and sound making components in workshop settings. However, these circuits come in kits, with brand new components and a rigid how-to-guide. This, to me, goes against my (probably romanticised) ideas of punk in DIY culture, where you work with what you have (Xerox printers).
Key texts
Dear reader, as I’ll spend a lot of time de-soldering components the coming period, I’m looking for audio references. So if you have any podcasts/radio shows/interviews/audio books/etc, please let me know!
TODO: make it the right format!
- Garnet Hertz, Critical MakingGarnet Hertz - conceptlab.com
- Richards, J. (2013) Beyond DIY in Electronic Music. Organised Sound
- Speculative sound circuits Richards J.
- The rise of LOFI culture, spencer A 2008
- Hardware hacking and recycling strategies in an age of technological obsolescence
- [Salvage Computing](https://damaged.bleu255.com/Salvage
- the art of electronics
- Shannon Mattern, “Maintenance and Care,”
- Weggooien? Mooi niet! Martine Postma
References
- ↑ video naar de paper jam
- ↑ Speculative Sound Circuits
- ↑ XXIIVV — salvage computing & Salvage Computing
- ↑ wat is klankschool
- ↑ over wat is mouser
- ↑ Over wat is MQTT/OSC