Gong Amp

Gong Amp takes an exciting experimental amplifier from the beginnings of electronic music to the plugin world of today.

In 1932, Maurice Martenot was looking for a way to make his groundbreaking proto-synthesizer "Ondes" audible beyond what could be archived with the horns and loudspeakers of the time. He developed a set of "diffuseurs", of which the "Métallique" was one. Instead of a paper cone or horn, Martenot put a gong behind the amplifier circuitry. This seemingly simple idea resulted in resonances and brilliant overtones that excite audiences to this day.

In 2011, the French company Eowave took inspiration from Martenot's invention and made their own version, the Resonator Metallik. When we heard what our friend, Berlin composer Hainbach, did with this rare and discontinued amplifier, we knew this sound needed to be available to more than a select few. So we made Gong Amp, our third collaboration with Hainbach since Motors and Wires.

Using a complex mixture of convolution processing, physical modeling, and feedback systems, we created an instrument that is true to the responsiveness of the original and even transcends it in terms of sound design possibilities.