KVR Audio

Voidoid Surrealist · Post by **Voidoid Surrealist** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:18 am

I got bored and butchered a ballpoint pen into a loud and vaguely ethnic sounding musical instrument, figured everyone sould have one of these, as it only takes about 5 min to make and is next to free (or free if you steal the pen from the office)

Just yank the pen out of it's tube, cut a reed into the closed end and add holes.

You could even duct tape two of the buggers together and you would have yourself the world's cheapest mijwiz!

Ultra-Cheap thrills.

Meffy · Post by **Meffy** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:23 am

It's surreal and it contains three voidoids. I could ask no more.

Oh, and it reminds me of The Invention of Music accodring to Don Martin (of MAD Magazine).

McLilith · Post by **McLilith** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:53 am

That's pretty cool.

What did you use to cut out the reed? That's pretty thick plastic on those pen barrels, isn't it?

take care,
McLilith

JerGoertz · Post by **JerGoertz** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 2:56 am

Any .mp3 examples?

I don't want to invest in this synth if I can't hear a demo!

Voidoid Surrealist · Post by **Voidoid Surrealist** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:11 am

McLilith wrote:That's pretty cool.

What did you use to cut out the reed? That's pretty thick plastic on those pen barrels, isn't it?

Thick, but very soft. These are the standard cheapo-generic mildly flexible plastic pens, not the 1 cent more per dozen hard plastic ones. If you want to get real fancy, you could go brand name and use a BiC round stic but that's only if you want to fork out the extra half a cent. It's up to you.

I just used a pocket knife to cut the reed and holes. If you drill the holes instead of cut them, use a slow speed, or it will start to melt! And don't forget to scrape some plastic off of the reed to make it thinner, otherwise it probably won't work.

VitaminD · Post by **VitaminD** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:35 am

what is the spacing on the holes?

I tried to make a flute out of pvc pipe once and it didnt turn out so well.. I think it was because of my hole spacing.. that and the cork I used to bottle the end.. *shrug*

McLilith · Post by **McLilith** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:48 am

VitaminD wrote:I tried to make a flute out of pvc pipe once...

Then, you might be interested in this:

The $5.00 Clarinet

There's even an mp3 demo of this one.

The same author is also working on a sax, but hasn't quite perfected it yet:

The Plastic Fantastic Sax

take care,
McLilith

Steven West · Post by **Steven West** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 3:56 am

You were really serious about this Vovoid!

Well, there goes my case of Brio then.

Voidoid Surrealist · Post by **Voidoid Surrealist** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:07 am

VitaminD wrote: what is the spacing on the holes?

Pretty much random

I was just pising about with a pen in my spare time, but I'm sure it could be tuned and made into something that would fit into a track somewhere...

BTW, I could make an MP3, if someone wants to host it, but the thing's so quick and easy to make, you'd probably be better off hearing one first hand

WhiteNoise · Post by **WhiteNoise** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:29 am

I want some samples! I'd be happy to host them.

Voidoid Surrealist · Post by **Voidoid Surrealist** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:29 am

Steven West wrote:You were really serious about this Vovoid!

I should just go back to dali-punk so people get the name right

Here is a Vovoid:

Pretty nifty synth, but WRONG!

Here is Voivod:

They rock, but also WRONG!

Here is Richard Hell & The Voidoids:

And I'm a huge fan, thus the name.

Voidoid Surrealist · Post by **Voidoid Surrealist** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:32 am

WhiteNoise wrote:I want some samples! I'd be happy to host them.

Ok, where should I send the MP3?
Be forewarned, it isn't tuned, and I can't play for shit, but the novelty value might be worth it

WhiteNoise · Post by **WhiteNoise** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:33 am

you can email it to me admin[at]whitenoiseaudio.com

Steven West · Post by **Steven West** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:36 am

Ahhh, VOIDIOID - opps!

What was the flick with Richard Hell and Andy Warhol?
All I can remember was Ricahard Hell walking around NY in the winter time, and Andy doing some interview where he starts taking polaroids constantly...

John Vulich · Post by **John Vulich** » Wed Mar 09, 2005 4:39 am

Large PVC tubes just plain rock for didgeridoos.

Plus they're cheaper that paying 100s of dollars to some company who probably paid some Abo $5 for it anyway.

Make an Idioglottal Clarinet out of your Bic/Biro pen!