True Value (paint fukette) Sound Sculpture

This is a very cool sound sculpture installed at the Joshua Liner Gallery

True Value (paint fukette) from joshualinergallery on Vimeo.

Meinl 2011 Catalog

Meinl has their new 2011 Percussion Catalog online now. Not only is it an innovative way to present their 2011 product line, but it's also a gorgeous presentation.They are using Flash for the catalog, and I like the concept. Embedded in the catalog are videos of the new products, which demonstrate the sounds of the instrument. The only downside to the online catalog is that you need a high speed connection (either that or their web servers are overwhelmed at the moment) because it took a long time to load.

Here's some of the cool new instruments in the lineup (and just in time for NAMM):

• Bongo Cajon
• Cajon Castanets
• Foot Tamborine

Empty School with Ben Meyers

Here's an awesome "Found Music" video, produced by 17 year old Ben Meyers.

Electric Berimbau by Paulo Nenflidio

Wow, check out this electric berimbau by Paulo Nenflidio. This opens up a whole new range of tonal variations with the berimbau, and moves it from being simply an acoustic instrument to accompany capoeira to a respectable rock band instrument. I love how Paulo demonstrates some of the modified sounds that are possible with the electric, amplified signal from this new electric berimbau. I can't wait to hear what the likes of N. Scott Robinson are going to do with this instrument once they get into the recording studio.



Links:
To buy one ($1000USD): http://www.nscottrobinson.com/shop-instrumentseberimbau.php

Other interesting Paulo links:
http://paulonenflidio.vilabol.uol.com.br/
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/03/sound_sculptures_by_paulo_nenflidio.html
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=nenflidio#grid/uploads

Jazari - Midi controlled musical robot

Wow. Check out these video of Jazari, a midi-controlled musical robotic ensemble. Patrick Flanagan created the software to manipulate the musical robots with a Wii Remote. It's an amazing demonstration of a convergence of technology.





Links:
http://jazarimusic.com/

Wernick PercPad

The Wernick PercPad is the world’s first electronic pad designed specifically for hand percussionists.

From the Wernick website:

"Its Ash wood playing surface combines the warm organic feel of an acoustic hand drum with all the capabilities of electronic music. It’s based on the successful Notepad, using the same patented Wernick Percussion System technology to achieve unrivalled levels of sensitivity and range. The PercPad isolation system starts with the playing surface which sits on free floating suspension mounts inside a rugged ABS tray.
On the back there’s a foam mounted steel housing for mounting the PercPac on its frame. There’s also a locking XLR connector there too ensuring that the plug can’t come loose even under the hardest playing conditions. The PercPad isolation system is finished off with two simple T Nuts ensuring thePercPad is in minimum contact with its frame.PercPad Iso Frames are available to fit two and four PercPads. They have further isloation features including a free floating collar piece and are finished in bright chrome. They fit standard drum hardware. PercPads also fit our standard Frames which are available to fit one, two, four, six and eight Pads.
The PercPad can be used with any commercially available drum brain with trigger inputs and also with Wernick Musical Instruments upcoming Trigger to MIDI converter unit. With high specification brains such as the Roland TD-10 or ddrum 4 the levels of expression and layering capabilities can be awesome.
The Wernick PercPad is not an electronic conga or bongo. It’s a new kind of musical tool for hand percussionists giving them the opportunity to make great music with the tap of a finger. "

Wow. This is cool. I want one!

No prices yet.