6 Amazing Instruments from the Guthman Awards

[@vinylarchaeologist]

I loved that Fretless-Saxophone-that-can-also-do-clarinetty-things. When he started off I thought, mmm okay, but then he starts playing this mean jazz! Well done.

[@brianspenst1374]

That one really has a ton of musical applications. I want to see that in the hands of people like Moon Hooch and Too Many Zooz.

[@dogman5680]

Donna Lee by Charlie Parker

[@purplelurple-two]

when he started playing it reminded me a lot of this one, just imagine a *freetless* accordion to it kzbin.info/www/bejne/inushXh4i7aibdU ps. egyptian fantasy of the same album just gets me every time..

[@romukassa]

That one blew my mind.

[@RobertDorschel]

me as a synth player started watching this video first.... and then my wife who is a sax player, got super interested here. We are REALLY interested in this instrument, if and when it would become available to the greater public.

[@kassemir]

I loved the fretless saxophone. It's just one of those ideas, where when you see it, you can not believe no one had thought of that before. Also, damn. The technique it'd take to have just decent intonation on that - so impressive.

[@matthewpublikum3114]

This is great! Probably costs less too

[@Baribrotzer]

People have thought of it before - as far back as the 1920s, I think. But this one might have the advantage of superior materials.

[@atomictraveller]

going thru the comments, allagedly da vinci had that one as well..

[@marti_ruids]

Actually Barr Hopkin invented this exact setting. I am pretty sure this one is just a copy. That man should credit Bart I guess.

[@Gothfield]

This exact design is documented in the 1996 book by Dr Bart Hopkin. Musical Instrument Design: Practical Information for Instrument Making

[@stephenbreitling2327]

i liked the Glissotar (fretless sax) the best, because this is really a finished instrument, with a new approach to a very old sound creating technique. i also liked that modified theremin, because ic can create even more hounting sounds, than the original.

[@Gothfield]

Well documented instrument, that configuration isn’t even new. Read Musical Instrument Design: Practical Information for Instrument Making by Bart Hopkin

[@EphemeralTao]

It's definitely not new. Conn made an almost identical saxophone in the 1920s; and they were popular as a novelty instrument for about a decade. There was a slide-saxophone that was popular around the same time.

[@justindeming]

I liked how the theremin connected two ideas that could be used for non musical communication for people with disabilities perhaps.

[@eirikjohnsbraten6370]

The pendulum is so inspiring. I would absolutely love a Chowndolo that sends out two or three analog CV signals to use on a modular or semi-modular synth.

[@billB101]

Was just thinking that, would love to send this to Arbhar or Morphagene though a modulation grid.

[@arsebiscuitsandwine]

I know it's an early development unit, but if he's using Bela to do it then it wouldn't be hard to add that if he released the source code. The regular Bela unit has true analog outs, so in theory you could add voltages out to the part of the code actually generating the music currently. I wonder if they'll release the hardware/software source somewhere down the line!

[@jakobvanklinken]

1:51 thank you for consciously taking it in that mastering English to that level is a whole undertaking for non native speakers

[@lewok_u]

the modular cubes seem like such a fun concept to play with also feel like the tree synth could create some really interesting detuned chords and progressions

[@ZElTGElST]

What a top notch freaky geniouses meeting. Felt in love with most of the instruments. Please keep reporting every year

[@JeffHendricks]

Took me a minute to figure out what the sax was doing, but that's freaking ingenious!

[@altervisi7748]

The hypercubes are really awesome and seems like it could be a good way for beginners like me to get into modular synthesis

[@myHorribleMusic]

Definitely- eliminating the daunting mess of wires that normally comes along with modular synths seems like a great way to lower the confidence barrier required to get started

[@tillorrly1128]

> good way for beginners like me to get into modular synthesis RIP your bank account, also welcome on the dark side, we have DAWless jams.

[@brianspenst1374]

As a former sax player my favorite is the magnetic strip sax. I can totally see his issues with the lowest notes. Even on a regular sax you really need to tighten your embouchure and give it more air to keep from squeeking those lowest notes. As a current fan of people like Hainbach and Look Mum No Computer I also really liked the cube modular design. That has the potential to be a creative and also more cost effective way to get into the modular synth world.

[@myHorribleMusic]

The Hypercubes remind me of the Moog Model D in terms of looking really easy to get started with. Without the chaotic mess of wires over the top of everything, synthesisers seem a lot less confusing and a lot more usable.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Big same on both fronts. I thought it was cute when he suggested maybe his struggles with the upper and lower end of the register was just his "still being a student", as although I certainly wouldn't say I _struggle_ with them after 22 years I do occasionally still get caught-out with intonation on those (especially if I'm trying to play very quietly!)

[@petthehomeless]

I was initially curious at how well the Glissotar was controlled, if it was just a noise maker. Then the dude busts out Dona Lee and squashes that thought.

[@brucealanwilson4121]

The was a sax with a leather strap controlling the pitch back in the 1920s. I saw it on another video.

[@uisato_]

This is amazing! Hope to be there presenting something interesting in the not-so-far future.

[@markorekic3624]

check out tangible waves, interesting and affordable

[@NeXusZT]

Wait, not to hate but, why is RIck being singled out here? Just curious. Is it because he's more of a theory/engineer guy vs instrument/sound creation guy?

[@k.s.8959]

Great now i want a Glissotar... Plus i'd love to hear four people playing the Star Wars Cantina Song on Glissotars 😂

[@sewilotrio]

this video was very inspiring. loved the love they put in their instruments and the respect and admiration you showed them. truly impressed by those artists

[@alphonsereitz]

Chowndolo is hands down my favorite for a concept. For the sound produced, the hypercubes made my skin tingle.

[@mirkocaserta]

The fretless sax guy should get an award just for being able to play Donna Lee on that thing.

[@jasonmelstad]

one of the coolest videos i've seen probably EVER. makes me think there might be a heaven

[@Doodsrsly]

Things like this make me smile. Engineering meets art-how much of a blurry line there really is between them. Pure curiosity and creativity. I love their innovation. Also, that chowndolo was like a dope ass interactive generative module.

[@atomictraveller]

the line is intentionally blurry so engineers can sell things to artists. one day, i hope they will all evolve to human being.

[@Doodsrsly]

@@atomictraveller I think I understand where you’re coming from: people succumbing to gas syndrome or being sold gear that is superficially different from something they already have. I was being a bit saccharine with how I said it, but I’m really just being appreciative of ingenuity in design-people coming up with novel ideas and then functional prototypes. I see it sharing the same mental space as writing music, or painting, or literature. All these things have different definitions of succeeding, but they share the blurry line of starting in a place of ideas and growing that idea. That’s what I like.

[@atomictraveller]

@@Doodsrsly i'm xoxos. i won the kvraudio 2008 DC. for years, many, people said, "genius, unique, most creative developer". sound on sound wrote about me. talk about me with "industry professionals" and they'll probably tell you i'm a rapist/child molester. the industry makes money. ingenuity and novelty can be sourced many places, not at big companies. it's important to believe big companies provide professional quality, which is why no one has heard of xoxos vst any more. because i got fucked hard by thinga you're not ready to believe yet.

[@stevemanklow5128]

SOOO want one of those Chowndolo gadgets, the possibilities look endless

[@BobbyLachapelle]

Certainly one of the most unpredictable music channel. Traveling, macroscoping, modularing and so much more. I really enjoy each video you post.

[@robertsyrett1992]

This is quality journalism.

[@georgetate6055]

Really loved this vid! My personal fav was "Talking Theremin." Happy to see Moog involved.

[@Brokout]

T-Voks is so beautiful, I absolutely loved it, such a wonderful quality to the sound

[@peetiegonzalez1845]

The Glissator is amazing. I love the fact that it's completely analogue. No electronics whatsoever. Props to all the other guys in this list but the Glissator just seems like such an obvious thing that should always have existed. Also huge respect to the guy who played it so well!

[@LeakyJAZZ]

It has! They’re have been slide saxes for a long time! They used a leather strap.

[@microfx]

Man! So inspiring! I want that Pendulum! And that Theremin! Great people!!

[@infinitonica2362]

Hi Benn, great video! LOVE the Glissotar... and for a very personal reason, I also got first prize at the 2017 Guthman for a more high-tech version of the same concept, a fretless-acoustic-saxophone called the Infinitone (there are a few videos on my channel). I have always wanted a finger-only controlled version as well, and Dani did it!! Major congrats to him!! My version allows you to play any microtonal scale at any time through the use of digitally controlled motors connected to slides. Since Guthman, I have gone on to design and release a dynamic micro-tuning DAW plugin called Infinitone DMT... check it out, I think you would dig it! You can use it to retune all your hardware and software synths in real time to vibrant palettes of microtonal chords and scales.

[@WhamAndRun]

I believe I saw a video of you performing with the Infinitone here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oae7aJqElMuEjrM I was really intrigued by the sound of your instrument when I first heard it, very inspiring!

[@infinitonica2362]

@@WhamAndRun Yes, 'twas I :) Glad you liked it! Small world here on the internet.

[@andybaldman]

Nobody cares.

[@Gothfield]

That man is not the inventor of that instrument. Musical Instrument Design: Practical Information for Instrument Making 1996 by Bart Hopkin documents this instrument in detail.

[@infinitonica2362]

@@Gothfield Its a radical improvement on Bart's design. He took Bart's rough idea and turned it into an exquisite professional instrument that one could spend a lifetime with.

[@pianoyam]

Okay I gasped when he played Donna Lee

[@ts4gv]

fretless saxophone deserved the W. freakin genius idea that’s obviously useful.

[@picksalot1]

The Fretless Saxophone combined new technology with traditional playing techniques, and produced musical sounds in a way that expanded the versatility of an established parent instrument. The clear winner. 😎

[@Ed-davies]

Absolutely epic and crazy instruments! The pendulum type instrument , (chowndolo) was my favourite

[@daneguitarist1]

I love this video and that pendulum thing is brilliant!

[@TheCJRhodes]

Woa! Benn, I'm so glad KZbin suggested your channel. I've been a fan of your music since the mid-2000s, and never would have thought you'd be making content like this, and I'm SO glad you do! I'm also happy to see you've been doing it for quite some time now, and there's a video back catalogue for me to go through. I sound like a straight up plant haha, but I'm honestly really pleasantly surprised.

[@ericarichardson2983]

Tvoks blew my mind! It literally took me a sec to comprehend what I was hearing. Beautiful! Plus can you imagine this as a assistive communication device!?

[@androide-rw6hu]

This is my thinking process. The sounds are my thought process. Love rhis creativity and analytical thinking.❤

[@GizzyDillespee]

Thanks for reminding me. Committed to Continuum, but I love seeing all the new stuff each year.

[@jacobstaffordmiller1635]

Wow these are all so cool. I legitimately don't know what I like the most

[@Skavengeful]

thanks for making this, never expected to like some of these so much

[@Lantertronics]

It was great meeting you there! Looking forward to chatting more.

[@noneofyourbusiness7094]

The haunting notes of the tree synthesizer were fabulous. I hope to hear more of it in the future.

[@aquaticborealis4877]

The pendulum instrument was a fascinating instrument. Great ambient/cinematic sounds, and just really frickin cool. I also like the Aristid, which was another extremely cool instrument. I would like to see more of the Cicada instrument. I’ll go look for it.

[@physicalsynthesis]

Shoot us questions anytime @Aquatic Borealis. Kudos to all these amazing artists and inventions. Grateful for being part of this experience

[@manwithadream2043]

Very nice video! Offtopic question: Is that follow up "additive synths" video ever coming? i was so hyped to hear about reverbs and how exactly you morphed that cello. Would be super awesome. Could you tease us, by telling us which synth u used for that cellomorphing? was it falcon?

[@lukerabin5079]

It’s a testament to how a great piece of software stays relevant over many years. Case in point: Max MSP. I used it more than 15 years ago for an interactive generative music piece and it wasn’t a new piece of software then. I have to make a point of keeping up with what new creators are doing with it.it’s extraordinary.

[@nataliehogue1276]

Mateo!! we did a residency together this year and his work is incredibly cool. He was showing me a project where you throw stones to create music like an occult ritual. Incredibly cool stuff

[@dialnfornick]

Pulsar 23 lurking in the back there! ❤️

[@dialnfornick]

Also amazing inventions in the vid!

[@omnesilere]

Dude made a fretless saxophone! He said, "yeah, so how do I make the smoothest instrument, EVEN smoother?" That said, the modular modular-synth would be the one I'd buy... and buy and buy...if I had the money.

[@CutieICB]

i go to georgia tech where this competition happened!!! it's nice to see this video :)

[@loweffortplunderphonics9619]

So impressed with how in-tune the fretless saxophone was played! No way that is easy.

[@KingsizeRecords]

I would really love to get my hands on the Chowndolo! I also love the Aristid, especially for it's concept with the plants and stuff. And those Hypercubes are pretty cool.

[@ruolbu]

This is like a best of 60s idea of futuristic music instruments in the space age. But I have to agree with what seems the majority here. That fretless Sax is just... elegant. It seems natural, it seems right, I love that it works and I want it even though I can't play anything like it.

[@fleshtonegolem]

The Glissitar? with the magnetic strip looks like such an intuitive instrument for people intimidated by all the mechanical keys :) I seriously am going to buy one of these someday

[@5amJones69]

Holy shit that Alison Ma piece was fucking amazing. Thanks for the suggestion, Benn.

[@nodfactor8808]

This was super interesting! Thank you, Benn!

[@volts420]

My dad went to highschool with the father's son who created the moog synthesizer. His son played it a lot in talent shows.

[@playinmyblues]

This is the type of stuff I love to see. It really gets the brain going with different ideas.

[@Cosmic_Sunrise]

These are some really phenomenal, mind blowing, innovative, and beautiful sounding instruments. You are one of my favorite people ever, Benn. Thank you so much for recording this, and all that you do. The video you made about going out to the FL panhandle all alone, wayyyy out there, was super inspiring! I have been curious - Do you do any mentorships and/or teaching/education series or something? I am aware that you are a super busy fellow, so I understand if not. Anyway - Another fantastic video. I loved the FM Pendulum. The work you do is really top tier, and blows my mind every time. Have a wonderful day! 😎🐈‍⬛🌕🎛🎚🎙🎤🎧🎷🥁

[@perrypelican9476]

Very very very cool that people are doing this. New instruments!!

[@tomaszbaran]

Incredible, how people innovate around sound still, thanks you for recording and sharing that. I wouldn't find that myself. Thanks!:)

[@3dVisualist]

They were all great, especially the Glissando Sax but my favourite was the Chowndolo (pendulum). I would love to see this as a polished product. Kickstarter anyone?!

[@andybaldman]

No

[@samreeve9738]

Would love it to at least be open source and make my own

[@Batlord_Carcas]

Hypercubes are really neat! Glissotar too, every instrument here is amazing. The Hypercubes for sure fit well in being sold to artists seeking a diy modular synthesizer

[@yobrepus]

Cool! Participated in the 2010 competition with my mind controlled synth - was a lot of fun :-D

[@limelite2786]

9:38 “Wendy? Yes Lisa?“

[@christdolphin69]

that fm pendulum is incredible. genius

[@brucebaldy]

I liked that Reed thing and the tree gizmo.

[@glowinggrenade]

I swear I've seen a sax designed like that, very old and leather. The magnet is genius and fixes problems I think I heard about it.

[@roberthiggins986]

I actually think bringing in Rick Beato made a LOT of sense…he is an exceptional musician and with a really good ear for music production….he could think of things that no non-musician or one not intimately familiar with music production would even hazard a guess to where these unique instruments can be used in a musical setting

[@greatorangesky]

It would be interesting to understand the differences you say are of you and Beato... I have a strong opinion of the perception of this but would like to hear it from the sources

[@BlastedCharacterLimi]

Surprising that the Glissotar maker didn't mention the history of the instrument. That's an updated version of a 1920s design for a slide-operated saxophone - very rare now, but there are still a few knocking around

[@jayducharme]

This is delightfully mind-blowing!

[@murdockscott]

So grateful to be exposed to this event and these creative people. I love this sort of thing so much.

[@celticpeasant9753]

That was fantastic. The Glissotar was my favourite. I have made a Theremin so I totally understand the challenges they went through without even adding voice into the mix so that was also a close first. Everyone was impressive. My husband designs modules so this is an area I am used to and the cube modules were not anything out of the norm for us. I would have loved to hear a little more about the tree synthesizer because I wasn't clear on exactly what was going on there - seemed like maybe more of a midi device? needing the computer to actually play? Wasn't really sure. Thanks for putting this on - it was very cool.

[@LucaGoesOffroad]

I love how the italian instrument was also a modern work of art

[@Psychlist1972]

This is the kind of cool stuff I liked to see at Mutek in Montreal, but I haven't been to that event in years.

[@robertzantay5923]

Very interesting, I had a very successful career playing the Lyricon and the Yamaha WX-7. These still still the most adept at translation of breath pressure, lip pressure and finger placement into musical expression.

[@joekelly7505]

I called it "fretless" before I read the time stamps. Fantastic!

[@FrozenLonesome]

Thanks for sharing, this was really interesting!

[@MrOccamRazor]

All I could think was that Brian Eno and Philip Glass would be thinking of their next project if they saw this stuff. Amazing creations.

[@AndreasArianto]

ah man, these are all amazing!!

[@DeadKoby]

Really interesting stuff. Some of those tools I have no idea how they'd be used........but I think that's half of the fun. When someone finds out what to do with the thing.

[@AlessandroMastroianni]

Feeling incredibly proud that the Ciondolo (or Chowndolo) is Italian! I thought it was very interesting

[@N8oRMusic]

Amazing instruments. Well done to all the inventors.

[@nickjfv6304]

The synth pendulum is the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while

[@ivorybow]

The chowndolo swept me away to an eerie desert planet, with its utterly alien beings playing their musical compositions.

[@Gusrikh1]

Very.. very interesting. Educational! Thank you.

[@kobi-kobsen]

Great work, real creativity and visions that gladly made it to reality.

[@jaimis5377]

the FM pendulum is a beautiful synthesis between science and art

[@caxtnova]

Incredible stuff!! I have no idea how you could judge this as a competition, they're all so unique and awesome. This deserves so much more of a spotlight than a little computer lab... Also, that Psyacoustics link in the description seems broken / the site is down? I'm redirected to phishing/virus bait when clicking on it. Careful with that!

[@rittikwystup9343]

Hi Benn, Slightly off-topic question: Do you have experience in designing and "building" your own software instruments/effects using Faust or C++? I'd be more than delighted if you could share some of your insights, if applicable. Thumbs up for continuously informative and just great content!

[@michaels5166]

loved it and i want to check out the Cicada and a few others..

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

I like Rick Biato, even though my interests are very experimental and electronic, and his videos are more traditional rock/jazz/r&b critique.

[@veiledAutonym]

He's great in that space, but outside of rock/jazz tradition he has a tendency to be a bit of a grumpy old man lol

[@matthewdavis8774]

Glissotar (fretless sax) has been built for years by Bart Hopkin though he calls it the moe instruments. I've also heard it was originally a concept by Da Vinci. Amazingly unique instrument

[@RababaInc]

we are increasingly approaching the cantina-band type of instrument era and i'm all here for it

[@andycordy5190]

I totally understand your excitement in these experimental instruments. Innovation and imagination is intrinsically stimulating but what rattles my bars here is the element of play behind the science and behind the incentive for bringing the objects into being in the first place. Having grown up with primitive electronics cobbled together with inconvenience which got in the way of music making (eg. Wasp&Spider and later chained midi instruments) I'm puzzled by the fascination with vintage synthesisers and modular systems but if that's what stimulates an artist's creative juices, I am all for it. What I see a lot is a kind of parallel evolution (compare the reed instrument, as presented here with, say, the 18th century Chalumeau and the 40 years of development in breath driven midi controllers) , lovely though it is, we need to wait for the genius like Pastorius, after the development of the fretless bass guitar, or Tony Levin and the Chapman Stick, to really show us the potential here. Love you💕

[@UNSCPILOT]

I expect it's one if those things where the Tactile experience and challenge of operation actually stir up more creativity for some folks. In theory we can do everything on a PC, but a mouse and keyboard doesn't feel right for trying to make music, at least in my case

[@danielpirone8028]

Thank you. Fantastic and inspiring!

[@elirosenkim3659]

for those interested in the fretless sax, look into Bart Hopkin's 'Moe continuous pitch aerophones

[@friendofbeaver6636]

That guitar @14:50 looks like just the Gittler Guitar, invented in '70's and still available!

[@MatsueMusic]

9:04 - Wireless Modular IMHO the most marketable product on there

[@davewestner]

The instrument that won this is an excellent choice. It'd probably be the most likely instrument to be integrated into a wide variety of popular genres, from jazz to rock to classical to pop to dance. A familiar, yet somehow new sound. A not quite sax, not quite clarinet, not quite oboe.....and it's "fretless"

[@pohyart]

Thank you so much for covering this event! ❤