Inventimog

I've just found this great handmade cigar box guitar on ETSY. The best part about this guitar is that it includes an electric pickup which has volume and tone control, this means you can make some serous noise when hooked up to an amp.

From kwithrow's ETSY page:

Here we have an awesome, handmade 4-string fretted cigar box guitar. It sounds and plays as brilliantly as it looks. I have made hundreds of similar instruments and play them almost exclusively. This one has a particularly nice, full tone with plugged in and excellent action to allow for play with or without a slide. Additionally, it sounds great all the way up the neck.

Link

The latest version of NitroTracker(v0.4) my favourite Nintendo DS homebrew is out at last.

Here is a list of some of the changes(from the NitroTracker website)

* wav saving
* free ram indicator
* sample preview
* the file browser remembers recent folders and files
* improved xm player
* volume column editing
* sample panning
* improved left handed mode

NitroTracker is a homebrew software application that allows you to make music on the Nintendo DS.

Link

This fantastic little device from Kim Laughton is called the Box of Clouds, you keep it in your pocket for those days when there is nothing interesting to see in the sky. It displays a constant loop of photos all showing clouds. It's made from a photo key ring placed inside a small tin box and has had the back light from the display removed so that the viewer can see the cloud pictures by holding the box up to the natural light.

Link

This is one from my collection of noise based stuff.

The SwoofTronic Pi is a small handheld device that allows you to change the frequency and duration of a basic sound wave using your thumbs to control light sensors.

This item consists of two small boxes joined by a cable. One box goes in each hand and each box has a light sensor in the top, as you let more light onto the Right hand sensor you increase the frequency (pitch). As you let more light onto the Left hand sensor you increase the length of the note played.

The interesting noises are made when you speed up the timing of the notes by blocking off all light into the left box. As the output is modulated between left and right output channels, speeding up the note repetition makes strange strobe effects.

There are three ways to trigger the light sensors, each have different effects on the sound. (1) You can use the ambient light in the room and control the level by blocking off the sensor with your thumb. (2) You can use the built in LEDs(light emitting diodes)in the centre of each box which can be used to trigger the sensor of the box on the other side. (3) A small LED keyring can also be used.

It's a fun little instrument.

In my search for new Nintendo DS homebrew music software I've found GlitchDS, it's a 32 step sequencer with a twist, the sequence is controlled by a "game of life" algorithm. You draw a seed pattern on the touch screen and it sets up a loop which evolves across the sequence, it controls up to 6 samples at a time. Program features include modulation control, distortion effect, load and save patterns and the ability to select different samples. This one is well worth a look for DS music makers.

GlitchDS Site - Link