Hacker News Reader

Comment by u320 | Hacker News Reader

I think music machines like this would be a perfect application of digital computers.

Have you watched the Animusic series ( https://www.youtube.com/@animusic ) ... especially Pipe Dream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyCIpKAIFyo

Be sure to watch the "Creating the Animusic DVDs" pair of videos.

https://animusic.fandom.com/wiki/Pipe_Dream

Martin has said that those videos were his inspiration for the first marble machine. Those, and Matthias Wandel's gear template generator!

In fact, his comment is at the top of the list on the Pipe Dream video.

One of the early Radeons were advertised with a real-time demo that plays Pipe Dream: https://youtu.be/uG1XkEnYyUc

the programable part of the machine, the tracks themselves are comparable to a midi file

I think part of the point of this project is to avoid electronics and digital tech in the final machine. personally I think it's what makes it so interesting, he's interested in the mechanical design and engineering aspects, not the digital ones

Perhaps one could even apply AI and put it on the blockchain!

Could you please explain?

The whole machine is just an overgrown midi player in a sense, but also that's not the point.

It’s a lot cheaper to set up something like this in a virtual space - it also takes up a lot less space.

VCV Rack 2 is a free way to very closely replicate the experience of building eurorack module synthesizers - without the cost of buying all the rack gear, and without needing to devote space IRL to assembling and organizing all the parts.

I could imagine a similar approach for designing and operating musical marble machines like this (in fact I’d almost be surprised if something doesn’t already exist, akin to roller coaster tycoon’s coaster design tools!)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com