DAVID FYANS
MA, BA (hons, First Class)
TAMING ELECTRONS
Concept:
As part of my Sanctuary 2015 commission, I built a series of light reactive synthesizers that are 'played' by light (either their frequency, amplitude or both).
Execution:
I find a real beauty in the simplicity of (mis)using the CMOS 40106 IC Schmitt Trigger as a musical device. By varying the resistance between points, the amount of time an attached capacitor takes to charge and discharge, subsequently flipping the switch gate, we can easily derive some form of frequency control. A single chip is packed with 6 switches allowing for up to 6 independent (or cross modulating) oscillators to be created.
In these devices, the majority of them use light dependant resistors (LDRs) to vary the frequency of the oscillators, larger value capacitors increase the period between charge and discharge pushing them into lower frequencies and rhythmic clicks.
When designing for this commission, a problem was trying to find a suitable and sturdy way of mounting the LDRs to a casing, particularly given that they would primarily be used in a field in the dark and the damp and there would be absolutely no provision for field repairs.
The use of jars that allow the light to pass through meant I could solder the LDRs directly to the circuitboard without having to run complex panel wiring and have points of exposed weakness.
These synthesizers can be interacted with but there is something quite beautiful in their primitive and unpredictable nature, they will react as circumstances cause them to react and while we may interact with them by shining or projecting light onto them, they are largely autonomous.
The series of devices will be connected to a mixer and processed and mixed together in an attempt to combine and shape the chaotic source material generated by projecting black and white kaleidoscopic film over them.
This series comprises of the following:
5x jar synths with between 3 and 6 oscillators whose frequency is controlled by LDRs
1x flat, rhythmic generator with 3 oscillators, each has it's frequency and amplitude controlled by a set of LDRs
1x Drone box with 3 oscillators that are tunable via potentiometers but whose amplitude is controlled by LDRs
There are also included in this set, a pair of percussive, jar based instruments, these are not synthesizers but rather are fitted with piezo electric contact microphones and 100 M3 nuts and a silver dollar respectively allowing for the amplification of the sounds caused by their agitation.