ELMO

Electro - Mechanical Voltage Controlled Sound Generator named “ELMO”

ELMO was built with an L.A. Arts Commission grant through Newtown in 2009 with the purpose of inventing a new original musical instrument.

“ELMO” is a low Voltage brush motor which is pitch proportionate to Voltage and capable of being “played” in the manner of an electronic systhesizer with an important distinction. Core sound generation is not the result of an electronic sound circuit like a synthesizer, but instead the mechanical friction of the armature and brush contact of the motor.

I created an acoustic sound source that could not have existed before the industrial revolution.

LA Weekly, October 7, 2009, “Geeks with Music Gear: Video of the Cams, Cranks & Computer Festivals” by Randall Roberts in Off the Record. Watch on the video on YouTube