Replica "Métallique" Ondes Martenot gong speaker
Built for thereminist / ondist Charlie Draper after a series of discussions and experiments.
The ondes Martenot is an early electronic keyboard instrument that also has a ring / wire system that allows sliding notes to be played. The original instrument had a series of unusual speaker peripherals, including one that played audio through a gong.
We set up a prototype with a transducer and 20" wind gong, and connected a Roland SH-101. It immediately started producing wonderful eerie metallic sounds, like a cross between a waterphone and a plate reverb.
The project was then finished off with a nice timber casing, built in amplifier and new improved "1/4 gear" folding feet.
Looking forward to hearing this played on stage somewhere!
Photo of an original system, from Wikipedia:
