Oto
Wool felted synthesizers
Oto is the name we’ve given to two small synthesizers made from needle felted wool.
In a process we’ve called “slow music”, we’re attempting to take creative agency over every aspect of the musical process. Most often, that starts with the creation of our own instruments.
To shape the sound, the player connects different parts of the circuit using conductive-thread pin cables that push into specific nodes in the fibers.
The instrument can also receive MIDI from a keyboard or computer, and has two main audio outs.
The acrylic rods have two functions: they illuminate to indicate different signals on the instrument, or are turned to change parameters in the different parts of the circuit.
This synth belongs to our research on e-textiles, and a particular attention was put in the choice of the fiber materials: the wool was donated by a local shepherd. We took care of the long process of washing, carding, naturally dyeing and felting it. The wool came from the Brogna sheep breed, which is indigenous to the area of Lessinia in Italy, where the instruments were created. Everything we learned was by word of mouth or through online resources, and we find a certain commonality in the open source type of knowledge of both fiber crafts and DIY electronics.
These textile instruments seek to evoke different worlds and imaginary creatures that can help us relate differently to the reality we live in. The final design of the instrument was inspired by the work of Isamu Noguchi.
