YouTube via EA78751
“Video from Handmade Music Austin #3, Dec. 20th 2009. At this workshop 13 people built the free project, Mini Space Rockers. After that we witnessed live electroacoustic sound by Lustigovi. And then 19 people built the upper division project, Andromeda Mk-4 Analog Bass Drum. And last there was an open jam with DIY bassline and drum machines from this workshop series, plus acid lines from a MIDIbox SID.”
It was a success, we built 30 mini-Space-Rockers and 25 Autonomous Bassline Generators (in 5 hours!). Treasure City was there selling some used electronica miscellanica… Douglas Ferguson & Steve Marsh , Red X Red M, and Telepathic Friend rocked the house, and we capped it off with a set using a couple dozen Andromeda Space Rocker devices… yeah!
In a friendly workshop setting, we’ll present a newly-designed series of miniature electronic instruments, called Andromeda Space Rockers. No bigger than a credit card, these projects are designed for DIY’ers like you. They can be built in a couple of hours to make a working drum machine, bass generator, or micro-synthesizer. These fun little instruments love to jam together, and they do it by forming a wireless network to keep the rhythm! They react to the environment as well… for example, the drum machines‘ filter, pitch, and envelope are controlled with light-reactive photocells.
Each workshop will feature a different instrument.
The full series of kits will be available online as well (to be announced soon).
BEGINNERS ARE WELCOME TOO
Basic classes are offered for beginners free of charge, where you can learn to solder and build an easy music project that will prepare you for Andromeda Space Rock.
Or you can skip straight to the ‘Upper Division’ and build one of the Andromeda Space Rockers instruments. Soldering equipment will be provided. To participate in the Upper Division classes you should be familiar with assembling printed circuit boards. An understanding of electronics theory is not required; just patience, hand-eye coordination, and enthusiasm for DIY music.
OPEN JAM AT EVERY WORKSHOP
Of course, there will be an open jam / performance once the instruments are built. We encourage you to bring some pedals and a small amp to plug in your new synth or drum machine and participate in an exciting musical experiment. Huh? Since the Andromeda Space Rockers communicate with each other using infrared wireless, they keep the rhythm automatically – the space will be filled with synchronized sound as you tweak the tones and control the arrangement. The network supports an unlimited number of instruments; we are building a musical organism that reacts to its environment, part human and part machine, and containing the love built into it by your own hands.
Performances are FREE to attend.
CLASS SCHEDULE
All workshops are on Sundays.
4PM – 5:30 Beginner’s Workshop
6PM – 8 Upper Division instrument building class
8:30 – ? Open Jam and featured performance
CLASS DATES
2009
October 18
November 15 (coincides with East Austin Studio Tour)
December 20
2010
January 17
February 28
March 14
April 18
LOCATION
Salvage Vanguard Theatre
2803 Manor Rd
Austin, TX
HOW TO REGISTER
Beginner’s Workshop is free. Upper Division registration is $45 and includes materials. We’re accepting workshop preregistration for Oct 18th and Nov 15th. The first 2 workshops are filling up quickly!
REGISTER VIA EMAIL AT: churchofthefriendlyghost@gmail.com