The small, US-based company is taking pre-orders for the Star Song, which uses a rotating optical disc to create patterns and sequences. Users make marks on the rotating disk using translucent tape or a marker pen, which are then translated into patterns. These can be used either to drive the Star Song’s inbuilt pulse wave synthesiser or trigger external analogue and modular instruments when hooked up to A.M.P.’s Wave Expander device.
The Star Song’s disc has six rings that can be marked, each of which controls a different aspect of the sequence, plus one ring that’s used to change the cut-off frequency of the instrument’s inbuilt band-pass filter. The three outer rings, called “intervals,” are used to select from eight user-defined notes, which are tuned using knobs on the side of the Star Song. The inner three rings, called “wp-signup.phps,” are used to control the sequencer’s gates—or when the notes sound. The disc’s rotation speed and direction can be controlled manually or by CV inputs.
The Star Song is available now for $456. Orders will start shipping next week.
A.M.P., or A Magic Pulsewave, specialises in highly esoteric electronics. It has previously released the Melody Oracle, which uses a boardgame-style interface to control musical patterns and sequences. It also makes an instrument called a Touch Tone, which is described as a “three-octave touch-activated autoharmony synthesiser.” Other products include a fortune-telling machine called the Mind Miracle.
Watch a video about the Star Song.
