Sweet Vibrations on your Phone

February 24, 2014February 24, 2014 klangular3 Comments

Remember the last time a doctor listened to your heart with a stethoscope? Well, imagine bringing that stethoscope for a walk, listening to objects on the street, and playing the results through your iPhone/Android device.

What if you built that idea years ago? That idea was only your starting point, and afterwards, you worked to constantly improve it every day. Along this journey of invention, you crossed paths with some of the greatest musical minds of our generation, and convinced them to join your team.

This is how you end up with a Kickstarter project like this:

Breaking Down the Longest Recorded Reverb Ever @trevor_cox

February 11, 2014February 15, 2014 klangularLeave a comment

Here is a mathematical breakdown of the longest recorded reverb every recorded. A gunshot was recorded inside a fuel storage tank by Professor Cox in Scotland to shatter the record. The reverb lasted for 75 seconds.

The fuel storage facility shown to the right, and a mini photo tour are available at this BBC article.

‘I wanted to shout with astonishment, but I had to remain silent so as not to ruin the recording.’
–From Daily Post Interview

Here is a booming and thundersous sample of the sound that could become your cellphone text message ring. Hit play and continue reading.
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How Arthur Ganson Changed the Way I look at Musical Instruments

February 4, 2014February 5, 2014 klangularLeave a comment

Everybody must visit the sculptures at MIT Museum. I go once a year to reconnect with the work of Arthur Ganson. New ideas are born. This is one of the sculptors / inventors / artists who inspired this site to exist. There is an exhibit called 5000 Moving Parts which brings more kinetic sculptures to Cambridge. Go see it!

Image from Athur Gansons website.

Does Invention Come From Observation or Conversation?
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Learning to Play the Mandolin Better

January 18, 2014January 18, 2014 klangular1 Comment

Playing the mandolin is now my favorite hobby. I write a lot about making musical instruments, but the end goal of it all is making music in a meaningful way. Learning the mandolin has been a lot of fun, and allowed me to reconnect with music in ways I never even imaged. My wife sang along to Christmas carols, I started learning songs by ear and discovering new genres. It re-energized my musical pursuits, and gave back way more energy than I put in.

Image via The Black Apple

I wanted to share my roadpath for learning the Mandolin. My goal with this post is to transform your thinking about learning the mandolin, share my favorite resources, and ask your feedbacks for tips to become a better Mandolin player.