Historically, a synthesizer is a tool that generates tones entire material with nothing however the proper {hardware}. A sampler, then again, is a tool that performs recordings of (normally quick) sounds. It isn’t producing these sounds itself, simply storing and enjoying them on-demand. However issues begin getting difficult if you mix these two ideas and that’s why we don’t know what to name the Cassettone Two —apart from “actually cool,” after all.
This can be a follow-up to the Cassettone Mk1 created by Wealthy Burnett from The Sound of Machines. Burnett refers to that as a “cassette participant synth” and we expect that time period is as appropriate as some other. The unique labored by dashing up or slowing down the playback of a cassette tape, which naturally elevated or decreased the pitch of the audio output. The content material recorded onto the tape would, due to this fact, dramatically have an effect on the sound produced by the Cassettone Mk1. The Cassettone Two considerably expands on that idea, creating new sound prospects.
The obvious change is the addition of a second tape deck. The Cassettone Two may have 5 buttons, every of which may alter the pitch of the primary tape, the second tape, or each. They usually can achieve this independently, so pushing the primary button would possibly decrease the pitch of Tape A and lift the pitch of Tape B on the similar time. The Cassettone Two will even acquire a grasp energy change and grasp quantity management.
That is very cool, as a result of it’s greater than the sum of its components. This isn’t like merely placing two Cassettone Mk1 units subsequent to one another, as a result of it allows operations that weren’t attainable earlier than.
However, maybe extra importantly, Burnett is placing effort into making the Cassettone Two extra accessible than the Cassettone Mk1. Burnett didn’t design that first gadget for different individuals to make, which has develop into a problem. The Cassettone Two will likely be simple for anybody to assemble and Burnett even plans to promote DIY kits. That will likely be attainable due to the usage of off-the-shelf tape feed mechanisms and a laser-cut enclosure that may be manufactured in quantity.
Cassettone Two continues to be a piece in progress and the gadget within the video is a mockup, however Burnett has already achieved the majority of the work and we’re assured that he’ll reach finishing the design. Make sure you subscribe to The Sound of Insanity to observe the venture.