Is polystyrene a good resonator?

Building of a new sound design cinematic percussive instrument with polystyrene, springs and metal rods
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I'm Nicolas Bras, musician and homemade instruments builder, on this channel you will find tutorials, compositions, building projects, improvisations, live concerts
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Music :
Nicolas Bras - Guyane, Homemade (album)
Nicolas Bras - Chromojara, Homemade (album)
Nicolas Bras - Multisoufflant, Homemade (album)
Sandrine Morais : Video edition
Charlie Rabuel : subtitles

[@NielMalan]

The curl of metal produce by drilling or turning on a lathe is called "swarf". Did you build the world's first swarfophone?

[@matthewnewman5477]

It's polyswarphonic.

[@NicolasBras]

My favorite for now, thanks for that!

[@ineedabetterusername7424]

I believe you meant to say "swarfofoam"

[@killermetalwolf2843]

@@ineedabetterusername7424 i believe you meant to say "swarfophone o' foam"

[@JSaltyfabricator]

Swarf is always a favourite word when I teach tool sharpening to students!

[@3DPDK]

The first ship I was assigned to in the U.S. Navy was an aircraft carrier that was in the ship yard for an overhaul. Occasionally on my off time I found an interesting pass time; I would find a quiet nook on the ship and put my ear directly onto the bulkhead ... and listen. You could hear welder's chipping hammers, grinders, needle guns, mauls and other ship yard tools resonating from all parts of the ship. Some sounds had a fast reverb time while others had long delay echoes. Occasionally you could hear footsteps on bare metal decks and strangely enough the faint sounds of human voices. It was very percussive but had a strange musical quality who's tones depended (I presume) on the size of the metal plate being worked. I haven't thought about that for years until I heard the sounds of this video. It sounds exactly the same.

[@NicolasBras]

Sound transmission in metal is so rich!

[@searchiemusic]

you'd def appreciate a plate reverb

[@TheCALMInstitute]

Absolutely wonderful story, thanks for sharing!

[@kaitlyn__L]

I do this sometimes in my apartment building, putting my ear or some basic resonator like a cup against one of the steel beams. Water hammer, valve squeaks, cupboard doors, footsteps, floorboard creaks, bass drums in music, etc all vaguely reverberate through the structure even though you don't hear any of it from the walls normally.

[@benjaminwells7714]

Hi Nicolas, been doing recycling workshops with my Primary School Science classes in Australia. The students adore your videos and we are learning so much from you! Thanks for the videos, keep up the fantastic work.

[@jonbongjovi1869]

in places like NYC, i tried to get the govt to create an ART SCULPTURE program with broken furniture etc. We artists will turn all that trash into PERMANENT ART that fills society with wonder. but the press and govt all said "better to spend a billion a year shipping all this broken stuff to landfills in Pennsylvania!" "ART-SCIENCE" is the best thing ever!

[@KneesBitten]

How you go through both cut-shot and slightly longer displays (like your tuning) is absolutely brilliant! Your video style is a really good pair with your music/sound-play!

[@NicolasBras]

Many thanks, I have a lot of fun with the editing part!

[@Rouverius]

Some of this reminds me of a wrought iron fence I knew as a kid. I would love running past it while letting my hand hit the pickets.

[@jeremypicard6245]

the blowing technique at the end sound very nice!!

[@NicolasBras]

Right?

[@arthurkastler157]

Yes!

[@AIRVENT03]

😍🥰👂🎶🎶🎶 Décidément Nicolas Tu es un Fameux Créateur et je crois (en espérant ne pas me tromper sur le terme ) un Véritable Sound Designer. C'est super de partager tes idées de créations avec nous. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@NicolasBras]

Grand merci! Oui sur ce genre d'instruments il y a un boulot de sound design acoustique, ça faisait longtemps que je voulais partager ces explorations en atelier, je suis très heureux de pouvoir enfin faire ça!

[@iqqmut79]

You have to try XPS! (Extruded polystyrene) It’s far more rigid than EPS (expanded polystyrene) and also comes in several thicknesses.

[@NicolasBras]

I have to try!

[@vinny142]

5:56 That sounds like movie music for a sneaky part of a chase scene where the good guy is trying to get through a building evading the bad guys who are looking for him. Damn, it took three seconds to get that impression from that sound.

[@stahlwerk812]

Omg we used to throw those "springs" away when I used to work in a machine shop. I had no idea you could use them like that , genius.

[@ianhesford]

This channel is absolutely the single greatest thing in the entire universe.

[@NicolasBras]

thanks!

[@SONGSTICKS]

You are such an inspiration for me! I made myself an overtone flute a while ago using an old didgeridoo that didn’t sound that great as a didgeridoo, but with your idea Of the mouthpiece made from 3 cd’s sandwiched together it sounds fab! I didn’t actually use 3 cd’s in the end. I used just one between two bits of plywood which I then fretted down to a smaller mouth size. I then discovered that dividing tubes from a golf bag fit perfectly in the other end, so cut to different lengths, I now have more keys to play with 😊. My next project is an electric calabash drum 😊 Thanks for all that you do, you’re a star!

[@MannOfTheHill345]

Wow! You have got to be one of the most innovative and imaginative musicians I've ever seen. I love your ideas and the fact I just watched you turn styrofoam and drill chips into an instrument is hurting my brain in the best way possible.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot!

[@lolybube]

I love how simple but clever and cool your projects are

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot!

[@darwinsaye]

There were some polystyrene speakers used in amps in the past. Fender Bantam Bass amp and Yamaha TA-60 come to mind.

[@MarkMcCluney]

Fascinating. Amazing how bell-like the rods sound. Thanks mate.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@El_Couch_Potato]

This one turned out great!

[@DanielSMatthews]

It is very interesting that many of the sounds you are creating in such a low tech way are actually reminiscent of the examples I have heard produced with the csound digital music synthesis system.

[@NicolasBras]

Yes, this instrument is a lot inspired by Baschet brothers instruments, they think their acoustic principle as an acoustic modular system!

[@hellf.o]

Awesome as always!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@steelski01]

I find it incredible that you are able to find such unique sounds and harness them into an instrument. I envy the freedom you must have to be able to do this. To me the sound would go well in a horror game as I get a cruel vibe. I would call it the stynator .

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks, it is really fun to explore this kind of acoustic system, possibilities are endless

[@TheMonsieurO]

So cool...I love it!

[@earthquakesan]

I discovered your youtube channel recently and what you are doing is amazing!

[@brianspenst1374]

The most obvious name would be the styrophone.

[@pizzall]

Thank you so much for this demonstration. I bright spot. Inspiring.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@dindasatya]

Hi Nico, thank you for your videos, it's very interesting for my organology class, especially for recycling used materials to make some music instruments.

[@SSRT_JubyDuby8742]

You never cease to amaze me with your creativity. 😎🎙🎶✅

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@MattKeenanMusic]

Fantastic video, inspiring to make awesome sounds out of the cheapest materials! I also love spring reverb 👌

[@NicolasBras]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Just_look_Channel]

Cool, I also played drums and always noticed different interesting sounds of carved objects.

[@MarcWeertsMusic]

Brilliant! Such creativity!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@bemdoido2257]

O cara transforma o Isopor em uma caixa acústica. Esse é o cara!

[@alpesta]

Another crazy video, love it!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@madisonking8057]

Simply amazing

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot 😊

[@sophiejullien1892]

Ce polystune est un enchantement !

[@stockicide]

I had no idea polystyrene was so good as a resonator! This gives me ideas.

[@Toine_Harrt]

J'adore !! :) ultra inspirant pour le sound design !

[@ATRestoration]

You are amazingly talented!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot!

[@MariusKruger]

Very nice. This would be amazing for film sound tracks!

[@bluellew]

Love you man.

[@jamesrussell8278]

Fascinating

[@jeffcajon9292]

J'ai suivi le lien que tu m'as donné sur diaspora, super vidéo, c'est bien allumé et sonore à souhait ! bravo :-)

[@NicolasBras]

Merci!

[@antimoustique3175]

Nice experiment and cool instrument! Reminds me a lot of Arte TV jingles!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@rickschuman2926]

Back in 1969, the band I was in had polystyrene PA speakers. The worked quite well.

[@makeperceive]

excellent

[@gambe96]

Un véritable génie, passioné et créatif !

[@NicolasBras]

Grand merci!

[@brucebaldy]

Very good! When I was a kid I saw a guy at UCLA doing a concert with instrument made of lengths of rod mounted to wood bases, some hollow and an instrument made of bicycle rim with strings instead of spokes, very interesting.

[@israellutz3612]

With the rods being threaded you should definitely try playing them like a Guiro/Reco Reco!! 🐸🎵

[@NicolasBras]

Yep it works!

[@bogdahn689]

Tu es un génie :) c'est des résidus de tour à métal excellente idée !

[@NicolasBras]

Oui c'est ce qu'on m'a dit, ils sont parfaits pour ça!

[@pausepourunchangement9259]

Ce taff de ouf tu me fais halluciner ^^

[@NicolasBras]

Grand merci!

[@imanoiam]

Thanks!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot for your support!

[@ze_glitchy_gamer7629]

Not just from the sounds itself it's menacing. This would fit in a horror movie if anybody's looking for creepy or intense pressing music.

[@Soundpaintmusic]

Love the percussive nature of it too! Naming is hard. So many elements. Polyrod. Springrod. Polyspring. Metallispring. Rod Springart.

[@NicolasBras]

Rod Springart. You win the worst pun award!

[@Soundpaintmusic]

@@NicolasBras LOL : ))))

[@WangleLine]

This is so cool :D

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks a lot!

[@stevepethel6843]

You are so interesting and likeable. CREATIVE. . .music sound brilliant musician innovative

[@MannyJazzcats]

I would like to hear what this would sound like on a wooden box instead of the polystyrene but the sound of it is pretty amazing either way

[@NicolasBras]

That should work too!

[@kaitlyn__L]

I was thinking someone must have done similar things 200 years ago with some wooden packing crate they found lying around.

[@musicman9901]

New to the channel but Nicolas, if you like springs you must already know about the Yaybahar right? Found out about it a couple years ago and was amazed at the sounds and versatility of the platform. Certainly one of if not my favourite modern invented instrument, to think such a great idea was just thought of in 2017 is kind of amazing.

[@maxinehardy9411]

i absolutely love how they sound when you blow on them,,, super super neat

[@NicolasBras]

I love it too, I think about a full instrument using this system!

[@orfious]

I love your videos ❤🔥

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@brandengillette7794]

Cool video! 😎 There's an interesting instrument I stumbled upon called the yaybahar. It uses a long spring connected to a drum and some violin apparatus. I'd love to see you reconstruct something like that.

[@NicolasBras]

Yes I know this one of course, I'll have to try some adaptations of this system!

[@LordOfTheTermites]

Nice full reverby sound

[@NicolasBras]

I have to mute the springs, too much recerb in my music room with this thing!

[@Caligari...]

Harry Partch would love this !

[@terryenglish7132]

Wow, I really dug the first album , but sort of forgot about him. Thanks for reminding me. Any stand out albums suggestions ?

[@jmha2428]

The StyroPhone? Loving your vids pal. Subscribed a couple weeks ago.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks, and welcome!

[@skocko2t778]

This Polytiresonnator is fun

[@Resomius]

5:15 Sounds like a very budged Carillion and I love it!

[@elvancor]

Apparentlly, the name Styrophone is taken. But this deserves it so much more.

[@cke5417]

This would make an amazing soundtrack for a horror or otherwise atmospheric game.

[@Xanderqwerty123]

That instrument would make a killer horror game soundtrack

[@Raku777]

Thanks for sharing. I would not have imagined you getting such wonderful bass sounds out of Styrofoam! If I were to give it a name, it might be "Styro-Coil Thunderdrum".

[@seamusmceagan]

I bet you could get some crazy sounds with a violin bow!

[@NicolasBras]

I tried, but not that much!

[@andreassumerauer5028]

That are some cute sounds. Since you are inviting suggestions: How about having the metal bar row horizontally at the bottom edge of the styrofoam board. This way you could play the bars like a Glockenspiel with both hands while still having access to the springs. Soundwise a bit of Rattle and Buzz might be a nice addition to the sound repertoire of the instrument. I am thinking of cutouts from PET bottles or tin cans. These could be mounted in a bent shape below the springs so that those would beat against the plastic. Thanks for the inspiration. Keep up the good work!

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks, that could be some fun ideas! This kind of instrument is endless, kind of an acoustic modular thing!

[@lagrotteenbordel3727]

Salut Nicolas, merci pour tes vidéos. Je propose le polyston

[@NicolasBras]

Merci !

[@sebastianlagos8284]

It's like a song that you would use for a horror chase scene

[@Krabadaque]

Wonderful sounds! I also liked the 7/8 section around 6:20 and on. And what about those tubes with holes in the background? Also instruments, I suppose?

[@NicolasBras]

That's a part of my flute collection!

[@bradleyshanegilmore7761]

I love your creativity and sound. It has helped me grow as an instrument builder. Could you share what you use to tune?

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks, I'm happy to hear it! If it can give some ideas, that's a success! I use Tunable on my phone, my favorite tuner, you can get it here with my affiliate, it helps! get.tunableapp.com/nicolasbras

[@miro2424]

The line between genius and crazy is very slim indeed.

[@NicolasBras]

I don't think there is a line

[@weak7897]

Parfait pour des bruitages et musiques de film d'horreur ça

[@RedmarKerkhof]

With the way the instrument is positioned, it reminds me of a vietnamese bamboo xyolophone

[@MikMech]

The Tension is real.

[@h2o1969]

Um, you are so awesome. Such amazing instruments, and this one out of trash. It sounds ds great. I actually have a bunch of actually springs. Maybe I will try something similar.

[@MegaFrankels]

Getting some Amon Tobin vibes!

[@defenestrated23]

Getting strong "underground theme" for a video game vibe.

[@NicolasBras]

yes very video game and cinematic sounds!

[@sashajedinac9391]

the Styrophone!

[@NicolasBras]

Yep we this one is good!

[@recursr1892]

You are now on Barth traces 😀 -What a little wonder, polystyrene can act as such powerfull resonator! I Think, you can easily give it any shape-someone wrote its surface is the key, not the material in the volume-whatever that means for building instruments. I favored the tapped sounds, great drum with a sympathetic touch-you can also scratch along the springs to extend the sound range. I find open ended springs difficult to tame for music creation-I wonder what you will make out of it 🤓

[@NicolasBras]

Bart Hopkins' writings was my first discovery with polysytyrene instruments!

[@Call_Me_TUA]

I believe you have created an instrument perfect for horror soundtracks. I like it

[@joewoodchuck3824]

Great! I'd like to hear results by using a more solid sound board.

[@MTG_Music]

My mans just built a cave sound box

[@mhf5044]

I wonder what would happen if the rods were long enough that they could be tuned to a harmonic from side to side? Would they resonate sympathetically? Likewise with the springs. Cool stuff!

[@Krabadaque]

Try!

[@MH_Binky]

I was going to joke about giving it the name "styrophone" (since it uses styrofoam as a resonator), but it turns out it's already used for a different (albeit similar) instrument. On that note, how would it sound using a bow on the rods to generate sound?

[@NicolasBras]

Yes, that seems to be the most popular name! The result with a bow is not that good on the rods

[@roberttemple2521]

@@NicolasBras Maybe if you rub the rod with a lightly moistened finger/thumb grip, like playing the cuica from Brasil. Lots of variations come to mind using the cuica concept. I think bowing would be best with mounted strings, somehow, like a diddly bow, maybe. Different shapes of this material are open to all sorts of things.

[@BillOwens315]

I wonder if those spirals could be made into a tuned snare as well? Do be cautious - sometimes they are very sharp!

[@lunaticfringe6173]

Absolutely love your creativity and videos. A question if I may, where on earth do you find a giant tin can like that? Love and respect from Michigan, USA.

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks! They are from canteens, I got mine from retirement home

[@EngineerNick]

nice :)

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks!

[@lawrencediggs7957]

Very interesting. Is there a pick up connected to this or is this the live sound?

[@FlorisGerber]

what beautiful sounds! Can you tell me what you used to record them?

[@NicolasBras]

Thanks! I use my pair of Rode NT55

[@biglangly]

I get some strong "Battlestar Galactica " vibes from this

[@karnalunea1122]

the sound makes me think of the myst games or quern: undying thoughts. those would maybe sound interesting on that thing.

[@SONGSTICKS]

Can you tell me the tuning app you’re using there please?

[@RasmusSchultz]

Hey Nicolas, do you know if there are any drums with internal springs? I've been wondering for years now, would it be possible to build a very small bass drum that uses one or more springs to generate the bass tone? Most bass drum instruments are large. For example, I own a bass cajon with a big boomy bass sound, but it's not very portable. There's something you could invent? Bonus points if it's got some kind of tuning arm that lets you bend the pitch during performance 😄

[@WillisZzz]

How did the sample bank turn out? Do you sell them?

[@josuefreitas]

That could be greate on a Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire performance or maybe on a Iannis Xenakis piece.

[@manvilathwal7]

❤❤❤ UNIQUE MINDSET IMPRESSIVE❤❤❤ NOTHING TO SAY🤐🤐🤐

[@makeperceive]

The rods sound makes me think of Harry Partch