| First, a public congratulations to all developers, especially Mr. Ffitch.
I've learned an incredible amount from working with Csound; had this
product not been free, documented, and publicly supported, I would never
have discovered software synthesis at all.
Second, as I learned the basics of Csound, I found plugging my sound
output into an old stereo for output through a "wobbulator," or "wobble
vision," both useful and aesthetically satisfying. A wobbulator is a
half-baked oscilloscope. To make one requires an old TV or monitor,
twenty minutes, and a few feet of wire.
On a wobbulized TV, sound shows up as a full revolution, instead of as an
oscilloscope's plotted wave. Sine waves become an oval. Sawtooth waves are
ovals with sharpened edges. Harmonized waves appear as circles within
circles. Modulation sets the waveshape spinning. Overall, it's like an
animated spirograph.
By providing a visual reference for synthesis concepts, my wobbulator
reinforced my understanding of electronic music. It also looks trippy.
Those currently beginning to wade through the very useful, but
intimidating, Csound manual may find building one helpful. More
experienced Csounders might also find it fun to play with.
Instructions and plans to make your own can be found at:
http://cree.ucs.indiana.edu:1729/pathogenic/wobble.html
I suggest an old monochrome computer monitor for best results, but color
computer monitors, black-and-white TV sets, and color TVs also offer a
good image.
Please be careful with electricity.
Sincerely,
Paul Ford
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ford@interactive.net
http://www.interactive.net/~ford/metdiary
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