This year’s finalists are an impressive collection of oddballs. There’s the Amphibian Module, a modular synth that swaps the patch cables for a pot of salt water. Gajaveena, which combines the double bass with the traditional Indian veena. And Fiddle Henge is a henge made of fiddles. Four green violins are mounted on a bass drum and played along with a rotating disc.
And then there’s the Demon Box, a chaotic triangle of evil that transforms electromagnetic radiation into music. Unlike most of the other finalists, this is already a commercial product that you can buy from Eternal Research for $999. In addition to converting invisible EMF into audible sound, it can also control other synths by converting the invisible radiation from your cellphone or TV remote into MIDI and control voltage (CV).
Other finalists include Lethalium, a kind of steel drum/harp hybrid made from bike wheels, and an RFID-enabled open-source synth called The Masterpiece, which is designed for players with disabilities. Watch the video above for a brief demo and details on all ten finalists. The winner will be announced following a competition concert on Saturday, March 14.
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