Jacob Sikker Remin of campingsex.org demonstrates his new open source synth/sequencer, Cheap Fat and Open.
Here’s how Remin summarizes the Cheap Fat and Open synthesizer:
CHEAP, FAT and OPEN is an open source platform for musical exploration, composition and performance.
The platform is CHEAP, and OPEN – welcoming you to experiment.
A combination of the old and new: the raw 8bit / chip tune approach combined with wireless connectivity, state of the art open source hardware, and expandability – gives us that FAT sound.
It is portable, allowing you to make music on the go.
The platform is a performance instrument, giving a full 1½ octave keyboard control in compact packaging, through a classic stylophone interface. It is also a sequencer, allowing you to program rhythms and melodies, and play them back in sync with other platforms and instruments.
This is NOT a finished product. It works as is, but inside the platform rests an atmega328 processor, which can be programmed in the Arduino environment. This means that the platform can be modified, expanded, and tweaked to meet your exact needs.
CHEAP, FAT and OPEN is designed for geeky musicians, the chip tune community, the makers, the circuit benders, the interaction designers and the musical programmers, and anyone else who wishes to experiment with sequenced / networked / low-level musical exploration.
This project is based on knowledge and inspiration from many different communities. I hope that by bridging these different creative communities, we can create something beautiful together.
More details at the tthheessiiss site.
Great sounds and the presence of a sequencer makes it a very exciting piece of kit.
The dirt factor is a big draw card too. Definately picking one of these up
http://www.distaudio.com
Maybe these new, cute, open-source boxes of geek-fest interactivity-invention are the next big thing? What I love in the concept is that it combines affordability, immediacy-of-use 'on-the-go' but also invites one to explore and be inventive without it being so easy it ceases to be any kind of challenge or skill. In spite of technology making life easier, there's still an element in creativity and fun that's driven by challenge and mastery and something other than entirely instant gratification…
It's about experimenting and having fun without spending too much money. You don't need to be philosophical about everything IMHO. Worrying about degree of difficulty when doing things is a kiss of death.
Gordon's point was valid… if something happens automatically, off the shelf, then you're not involved. Being involved is the best part.
"Cheap, fat and open is no way to go through life, son."