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View Full Version : 1905 Electronic Synthesizer for Auction



WytchCrypt
09-26-2014, 02:17 PM
Thought my synth loving friends might like to see this. Generally accepted as the 1st electronic synthesizer ever built, the "Helmholtz Sound Synthesizer" was constructed in 1905 and uses multiple tuning forks for oscillators. Unfortunately, it doesn't have MIDI ;)


http://i1.wp.com/www.synthtopia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/helmholz-synthesizer-e1411571972103-640x436.png?resize=640%2C436
http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2014/09/24/helmholtz-sound-synthesizer-up-for-auction/

Mikhael
09-26-2014, 03:14 PM
Well, that's just weird. The techy in me is curious as to how it works. And if it still does.

helicase
09-26-2014, 04:54 PM
Saw one of these in a museum last year. Didn't try if it worked :)

There's a picture and a short description on the museum website (http://instrumenten.teylersmuseum.nl/index.php?option=com_vr&Itemid=3&task=viewer&room_id=1&lang=english).

trurl
09-26-2014, 07:22 PM
Wow! The builder made it initially to emulate vowel sounds, not for any kind of musical application. That's just far out. I'd buy it if I had $20K burning a hole in my pocket...

Digital_Man
09-27-2014, 01:57 AM
I bet it sounds like a big wet fart. Bllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaattttttttttttttttttttttt. :D

Staun
10-22-2014, 03:09 PM
Very steampunk.

Progatron
10-22-2014, 07:58 PM
I'd buy it if I had $20K burning a hole in my pocket...

Kickstarter campaign!