This is an ongoing project using mini speakers, glass vessels and free open source computer software (Pure Data) to make noise/music instruments. You can download the software component (press the green button) and clear instructions, and make your own at home using a pint glass (or other resonant vessel, e.g. a vase) and a mini speaker. You can start learning how to use Pure Data here. Once you have some experience with PD, you can develop your own version of the instrument using any vessel that has a nice resonance, and share it online for other people to work from.
Computers allows for a quick, detailed manipulation of sound, but digital synthesis lacks thephysicality resonance of acoustic instruments. The glass synths were developed as a way to combine digital synthesis with space and material. The instrument was also designed to take the official concern of gallery 'sound art' (sound in relation to space and physical materials) and puts it into a versatile, DIY form that can be used for making both noise and harmonic music making. Variations have been explored on the recordings above.
'Klangkunst' Synth
Falsetto Glass Synth - Noise Improvisation
Photo by Chris Torry