Low Frequency Publication

Materialising the Blackbox

Example module with input, adjustment and output sockets

Introduction

In this special issue we will explore the physicality behind slick black boxes as for example found in everyone's pockets today. Be it hardware or software. The goal is to make the interactions, interfaces and connections explicit through hands-on research and play. Informed by the fact all modern day electronics still adhere to the paradigm of modularity, like the earliest computer designs we will collaboratively build one or more devices that explore notions of modularity, complexity/simplicity, interfaces, darkpatterns, input/output while explicitly giving insight into the black box, but this time including a manual.

To encourage affection with the materiality of the blackbox we will create our own. Starting of by constructing the building blocks of a synthesizer, allowing the creation of complex outputs by interfacing/combining relatively simple operations. As a clear framework we will start off by working with sound, your fastest sensor. Compatible with the possibly familiar 'Eurorack' format (as developed by Doepfer) we will be constructing several electronic modules that allow the output of one module to be the input for the next. Expanding upon the original discrete, or analog approach, each of our modules offer a programmable interface, eventually allowing for interfacing beyond the blackbox.

As single modules perform one job and one job well, you will have to anticipate and even require the output of someone elses module in order for yours to work. Coinciding with your research we will create one or several 'outputs' consisting of an interface, electronics and a manual.

Guests

Dennis de Bel Dennis de Bel (1984, NL) is an applied artistic researcher, educator, radio amateur (call sign PD0WNED). In his practice he positions himself as producer, consumer, observer and distributor of critical knowledge focussed on technology. His work has been exhibited at Siggraph Los Angeles, Transmediale Berlin and hosted workshops in various collaborations at, for example, ISEA Hong Kong, Radical Networks New York. He participated in the Relearn summer schools and Libre Graphics Meetings besides being a guest tutor at the Design Academy Eindhoven and the Willem de Kooning Academy Rotterdam University of Applied Science. In 2017 he co-founded Varia, a Rotterdam based space for developing collective approaches towards everyday technology. De Bel holds a MA from the Piet Zwart Institute (NL) and most recently (Jul-Dec 2018) participated in the artist in residency program of the Institute for Provocation in Beijing.

http://dennisdebel.nl/

Olli Aarni

de Player

Martin Howse

Schedule

The program consists of three main sections, building, interfacing and coding and going public.

Building

Getting your hands dirty.

Week 1 - Sept 17

Meergranen + LFO
PAD: https://pad.xpub.nl/p/lfp1
GIT:
MANUAL:

Week 2 - Sept 23,24,25,28

Workshop with Olli Aarni

(also PSU?)

28th September Excursion to Dutch Modular Festival

Week 3 - 1 Oct

PSU

Week 4 - 8 Oct

Building prototype frontpanels and 'test' case

Interfacing

Basics of arduino, interfacing with others, desiging interfaces (frontpanels)

Laser cutter instructions (PDF) Frontpanel source files (vector)

Week 5 - 15 Oct

Workshop with Olli Aarni (14, 15, 16) Arduino Basics

Week 6 - 5 Nov

DIWO - Interfacing with your neighbours

Week 7 - 12 Nov

Develop interactions

Publishing

Going public, manual

Week 8 - 19 Nov

Week 9 - 26 Nov

Week 10 - 3 Dec

Presentation at de Player

Resources

Software

Arduino Firmware (ZIP file)

Git TBA

Hardware

Gerbers, Frontpanel templates,

Shops

Up until a few years ago it was not strange to bike a few minutes to a nearby electronics shop to buy a headphone jack input socket or battery holder. In 2015 the last electronics (component) shop of Rotterdam closed (DIL). Many preceded (2014 Van Der Bend) and many followed, leaving us with just a handful of physical shops to get (unwanted) advice and goods at a premium price without waiting for yellow envelopes from China. Besides not being able to physically examine the goods for sale (will it fit?) more important issues arise. Beyond supporting your local entrepreneur, the decline of DIY shops like the above signify a certain level of consumerism, painfully acknowledging planned obsolesce over DIY repair culture.

Local Shops

https://www.radiotwenthe.nl/ The Hague

https://www.hf-electronics.nl/ Haarlem

https://www.baco-army-goods.nl/ Ijmuiden

http://www.radiopiet.nl/ Arnhem

https://www.tinytronics.nl/ Eindhoven, semi public shop, sells Chinese knock-offs at a premium..

https://www.hobbyelectronica.nl/ Online only, quick delivery, expensive-ish

https://www.kiwi-electronics.nl/ Online only, quick delivery, expensive-ish, recently burned down, sells adafruit stuff etc (expensive-ish)

European Shops

https://www.tme.eu/nl/en/ Member of the Shenzhen (China) Chamber of Commerce. That says everything, please forget box pushers like conrad, farnell, digikey who will rip you off

China

(Almost) EVERYTHING mentioned above comes from Shenzhen, China...so aliexpress.com (or taobao....good luck!). It even pays of to fly to HK, get a SZ port visa and buy what you need in case you want bulk items.

Pads

https://pad.xpub.nl/p/lfp1

Reading/Watching/Listening List

http://www.gieskes.nl/ databending circuitboard designs, owns his own pick and place machine, music on tape, vinyl, concrete and what not.

https://www.ciat-lonbarde.net/ taking modular synths in some direction

http://www.gjp.info/ originally radio amateur drummer, applying knowledge of electronics to make incredible noise

http://www.electronicpeasant.com/ discovered by accident, but most 'personal homepages' of early synth enthusiast will publish in this manner

https://www.mengqimusic.com/ friend from Beijing offers some nice interfaces

https://www.errorinstruments.com/ your local eurorack pusher, love bbq in Shenzhen, has infinite energy to make some seriously interesting devices

https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/index.php the forum where all the action takes (took?) place. Terrible name, terrible place, all the goods you need, though scattered over 90+ forum pages, enjoy!