Hainbach finds Obscure Electronic Instrument, Sonica, and Yes, It is ‘Slightly Phallic’
If you’ve found that your musical performances don’t involve enough onanistic pantomime, you may want to check out the Sonica, a ‘slightly phallic’ electronic instrument.
German synthesist Hainbach – In his latest video – takes a look at the Sonica, shares his thoughts on it, and demonstrates how it can be used musically.
“This feels very, very nice to hold,” notes Hainbach. “The wood is absolutely fantastic to touch!”
Watch the video, and share your thoughts on the Sonica in the comments.
Video Summary:
“Franklin Eventoff, an American tinkerer and musician invented the force sensing resistor in 1977. This allowed for touch control of voltage, which he used to create instruments.
It found first commercial musical use in the Mattel Musical Thing, a cheap toy synth. Frustrated with the experience, Eventoff went on to create the much more refined Sonica. The Sonica is a lovingly crafted boutique instrument with an oscillator by famed Serge Tcherepnin, the creator of the Serge synthesizer. Only about 650 where made, and they are collector’s items.
The technology of the force sensing resistor proved hugely successful and lives on in cars, robotics and instruments like the AKAI MPC and the Otamatone.”
