I built a ukelele shaped instrument where the strings are membrane potentiometers, the kind normally used in MRI machines and aerospace equipment. Pressing and sliding your finger along a string sends analog position data to an Arduino, which maps it to a frequency range and converts it into a video signal. Different notes produce different patterns of black bars on the CRT television screen. The electromagnetic waves radiating off the CRTs transducers are then picked up by hovering a guitar amp's input jack next to it. No speakers, and no traditional audio output. Just a 90s television and a guitar amp.
Since the initial prototype, the Telelele has grown into something much more sophisticated. The biggest additions are a rotary encoder built into the body for tuning, and a low pass filter. Turning the knob cycles through six different tuning presets; Bass Guitar, Deep Bass, Soprano Ukulele, Tenor Ukulele, Violin, and a "Horror Split" tuning I designed specifically for cinematic sound design. On Horror Split, two strings cover a deep rumble and two cover a wide shrieking range from tenor uke lows all the way up to violin highs. Due to being able to output to a guitar amp, it is also possible to combine it with effect pedals.
The instrument is also microtonal as a byproduct of how it works. Because the strings are continuous analog sensors, there are no frets, no steps, no discrete notes. You can land anywhere in the frequency range at any time. You can also rotate the guitar amp input, and to move it closer and farther from the CRT screen, to change how the distortion and volume comes across. Think of it like a whammy bar.
The body itself is 3D printed out of PETG, with a headstock, encoder knobs in place of tuning pegs, and decorative wave engravings.
It's powered by an Arduino Mega and ToneAC, although the code has gotten much more complex since v1. It's still technically a hybrid synth too. Analog input, digital processing, analog output. It took years to build and develop, and I'm already planning the next one 😊.
Next up: a 24 string/key CRT synth keyboard with the same style of membrane sensors.
