Dealing With Stray Sound

There are plenty of musical instruments out there that require amplification, and plenty of them (such as synths) require electricity to do anything at all. But sometimes technology can be used to deal with sounds in unusual ways…

Cornering the Speakers

In this video, Alexander Lakein shows us how to get a brand new synth for free (if you happen to have an old pair of PC or media speakers lying around your house somewhere, as many of us do). By creating a simple feedback loop and using the volume control to modulate the output, some fine noises can be produced – which in turn can be captured on your favourite microphone, imported into your favourite DAW and incorporated into any sort of track you care to dabble with…

Sound Reduction Windows

If you are at the other end of the process, and just want to compose in silence while someone is creating feedback loops outside your window, you might be interested in Rudolf Sefanich’s new invention, Sono. Though still in the prototype/design stage, this is a noise-cancelling (and enhancing) device that can be attached to your window to aid with improving and customising your sonic environment to your own tastes…