If you've ever wondered what the force of magnets sounds like, Stacco has the answer. This innovative instrument turns magnetic attraction and repulsion into an array of electronic sounds that are as unpredictable as they come.
Essentially, the innovative device uses an interface with built-in magnetometers to attract and repel magnetic spheres, converting their movements into sound. As these spheres dance and move across the surface of the instrument, Stacco captures the changes in the magnetic fields before translating them into audible form.
What sets Stacco apart is its ability to merge human creativity with the spontaneous nature of magnetic interactions. It allows for a balance between user control while still maintaining the unexpectedly comprehensible results that arise from fluctuating magnetic forces.
In addition, Stacco has been designed to work in conjunction with neural synthesis models. By navigating through its intricate control parameters, musicians can explore a wide range of sonic spaces, allowing them to create music that ranges from structured to completely exploratory. To inform users about their musical journey through the device, it comes with graphical scores that act as a map of the potential sounds the neural synthesizer can produce.
In a recent performance titled “Magnetologues” at the Institute for Music Computing and Sound Technology in Zurich, two Stacco instruments were used to showcase their versatility live. The result was a performance that offers a stereophonic view of the device’s endless sound possibilities. Whether creating high, distorted tones or long, drawn-out waves, Stacco proves that music isn’t just about notes and rhythms – sometimes, it’s about harnessing the invisible forces of nature to push the boundaries of creativity.
Watch a demonstration of the instrument below, courtesy of Giacomo Lepri's YouTube channel.
thanks to our partners at edm.com