If you’re into experimental instruments, then you may want to take a look at the latest project by sound artist, instrument maker and musician Kacper Ziemianin, also known as Ctrl Freq. The innovative creation is named the LSe, has been designed specifically for live electronic music performance, and interestingly, can be controlled by light. It’s already attracted some attention, and has received funding from Stimuleringsfonds NL as well as winning an award at the Radical dB international electronic music festival in Zaragoza, Spain.
Now in its third official design revision, the LSe (Light Sequencer) is the result of over a decade of research and development, and has served as Ctrl Freq’s primary performance instrument since 2016. It’s a Raspberry Pi/Arduino-based device that’s been programmed using Pure Data, and consists of three parts: a sensor panel loaded with 32 light-dependent resistors; a light sequencer that features eight RGB LEDs that can work together or independently, making it possible to create everything from simple monophonic patterns to complex polyrhythms; and a control panel divided into Mix, FX, Sound and Sequencer sections.
Other Features
- High-quality audio I/O thanks to an Audio Injector soundcard.
- Ableton Link integration for Wi-Fi or Ethernet synchronisation with external gear.
- Six sequencer modes with sub-modes (15 modes in total).
- Polyphony: From mono to 32 simultaneous voices.
- External audio input channel.
- ‘No Screen’ approach encourages listening and playing by ear rather than relying on visual interfaces.
Five Sound Generators
- Two synthesis-based (additive harmonic series, subtractive 3rd-octave filter).
- Two sample-based (granular time-stretch, looper).
- One resonant ping filter with scale selection (classic, experimental, microtuning).
Five sound-effects channels per generator and for external audio
- LCD: Light-Controlled delay with dedicated LFO.
- LCF: Light-controlled variable-state filter with dedicated LFO.
- LCAM: Light-controlled amplitude modulation/distortion with dedicated LFO.
- LCFM: Light-controlled frequency modulation with dedicated LFO.
- LCGV: Light-controlled granular reverb.
- Light-controlled gate available for selected audio generators.
Of course, the best way to check out something like the LSe is to see and hear what it can do! You can take a look at the teaser video for the latest iteration of the instrument below.
You can find out more about the LSe, and Cntrl Freq’s work in general, by checking out the link below.
