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Mike Barclay is a French instrument maker who makes instruments out of electromechanical tuning forks that are activated by electromagnets and allowed to sustain in eerie tones. He accompanies these with synthesizers that operate off of light sensors that generate the timbre of their tone from the rapid movement of lights on wheels.
Bio
Inventor and creator of computer-controlled mechanical and electronic musical instruments.
Composing music for many years, I have realized that the sounds that surround me (the sound of water, metal, glass, etc.) fascinate me. Having followed a training (CFC) of precision mechanic and subsequently sound engineering courses (CFMS and SAE), I wanted to mix my passions of sound and mechanics to invent and make my own musical instruments! So I started in 2011 with one machine, then another, until I had enough to compose music just with my creations, trying to use other instruments as little as possible! It's an endless circle that fascinates me, because when I compose new songs, I quickly imagine what kind of sound I miss and what machine I'm going to have to make. I now have a good number of instruments that allow me to make videos, exhibitions, concerts or live on the internet! 1)
Instruments
Each of Barclays instruments are constructed in a very similar manner, they are built as plywood boxes that ahave at least one surface made of metal. Each are played using electromagnets and computer controllers.
Machine à diapasons
13 chromatic tuning forks that are vibrated by a set of computer controlled electromagnets
Machine à cordes
similar to the diapasons, 13 chromatic strings that are vibrated by a set of computer controlled electromagnets
Boite à rythme électromécanique
This is a set of instruments that use metal tongues and springs as well as having a large number of analog synthesizer knobs that allow for variations on the sounds that are picked up by the electromagnets that vibrate the tongues and springs.
Batterie électromécanique
Using more traditional percussion instruments, a small drum, tamtam, and bell are activated using stepper motors.
4 Radios Midi
Calimba électromagnétique
An electroacoustic kalimba with 12 chromatic tines, divided into 24 tones.
