Michael Una

Inspiration

Michael Una — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:45:09 +0000

Paper flowers with memory wire by Jie Qi:

Paper flowers blooming from Jie Qi on Vimeo.

Public interventionist art idea

Michael Una — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:39:32 +0000

I’ve had this idea every time I pass Mr. Samuel Chambers on the street - his message is so negative and it gets to me every time. I’m not sure how effective this would be, but it would make a point and I’d be doing something about it. I try to ignore him, but with that megaphone he gets pretty loud.

New music in the works

Michael Una — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:05:22 +0000

So, I’m taking a brief break from hardware development to finish up some music that’s been in production for the past few years. I’m assembling these finished tracks into an album, which should be released by Psymbolic Sound if all goes according to plan. As a taste of what’s in store, here’s a track that’s nearing completion:

Tong v1 by michaeluna

Notes regarding 4017 sequencer chaining

Michael Una — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:11:34 +0000

I’ve been working on creating a 16-step sequencer using the 4017 decade counter chip. So far, my efforts have not succeeded and I’ve been limited to 10 steps. I had been using a flip-flop to try and switch the clock signal from one 4017 to another and it just wasn’t working.

However, I just read this page by Bill Bowden (awesome) which gave me a nice little eureka! moment. The trick is to only use 9 steps from each sequencer, saving the 10th one to switch the flip-flop. I had been using the 10th ouptut for dual-duty, to trigger the flip-flop and to control my synth, but I see now that the line needs to be dedicated.

Also disclosed here is how to get the sequence to start on step 1 every time- it involves a capacitor and resistor connected to pin 15.

Thanks, Mr. Bowden.

Show this Saturday

Michael Una — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:44:58 +0000

October is Chicago Artists Month, and I have been named as one of the featured artists by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, which is why you may have seen my face around town, plastered on billboards downtown and printed in publications. I’m very honored to have been chosen, and I hope my event this month proves worthy of the accolades.

I’ll be showing my latest electronic creations at a group show this Saturday called “Hands On,” as part of the Deadline Projects collective.

Each artist has created a new work which is intended to be “hands on” for the show’s attendees. We’ve gotten a fair amount of media buzz around this show, including Chicago Magazine naming it their ”number one pick for alternative-space art events.” You can read about the show in this week’s Time Out, and in the Chicago Artist’s Month publication circulating around town (that one’s got my picture on the cover).

There will also be a limited supply of beer that I have personally brewed for this event, which will be thematically tied to the experience of my piece. So there’s that as well- now you have no excuse.

One night only– Saturday 10/10/09, 6- 11pm

Happy Dog Gallery

1542 N. Milwaukee, 2nd Floor

Click here for details.

I hope to see you all there.

Moire

Michael Una — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:40:37 +0000

One of my favorite things in the world: Moire.

Drum machine prototype

Michael Una — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:04:16 +0000

I’ve got the SN76477-based drum machine up and running, and it sounds pretty sweet:

SN76477-based drum machine prototype from Michael Una on Vimeo.

I need to work on the switching logic for the different sounds, and add in a flip-flop to increase my steps from 8 to 16. But it’s very close to being done, in this form. Next up, getting some circuit boards printed and then building it into a permanent case. And maybe getting some nice cases laser-cut.

More devices for sale at EGS tomorrow

Michael Una — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:18:14 +0000

Here’s a few short videos highlighting devices I’ll have for sale at the Experimental Garage Sale tomorrow:

Yoshimi battles the pink guitar from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Canadian keyboard from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Lofi looping device from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Cigar box 3-osc synth from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Circuit bent Yamaha DD-5 drum machine

Michael Una — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:58:14 +0000

Another device I’ll have for sale at the Experimental Garage Sale.

This one has a newly-installed sequencer, a 3-knob glitch matrix, trigger inputs for attaching to a real drum kit, and MIDI out. It’s pretty sweet.

Yamaha DD-5, circuit bent (with MIDI) from Michael Una on Vimeo.

Preview of Experimental Garage Sale

Michael Una — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:22:26 +0000

Over the next few days I’m going to post a series of videos showcasing some of the devices I’ll have for sale at the Experimental Garage Sale.

First up is the Talking Cash Register, which can be purchased in unadulterated form at Uncle Fun.

Talking cash register from Michael Una on Vimeo.