These are the workshops for you to choose from:
DIY workshop
‘Tape tinkering and chance creations‘
by Rob MacLeod
11:00 am – 1:30 pm
In this workshop we lean into the magic of constraints. It will be hands-on, lo-fi, and full of happy surprises. You’ll learn three distinct ways to create cassette tape loops and how to set the conditions for unexpected, unintentional compositions to emerge. You’ll walk away with practical techniques, repeatable practices, and a fresh toolkit for using tapeloops in all kinds of creative ways, all while playing with delightfully old-school gear.
As a participant you will physically make cassette loops starting from standard cassettes during the workshop.
The cassettes will be provided by Rob for the amount of 10 euro, included in the price of the ‘Tape tinkering ticket’.
Who is Rob MacLeod?
Rob MacLeod has been toying with cassette recorders since he was three, growing up in rural Canada. He now runs a newsletter highlighting experimental shows across Belgium, sharing the odd, the beautiful, and the wonderfully unpolished. A school director by day – who enjoys collaborating musically with cool people who are into cool things by night.
DIY workshop
‘Build your own modular kit‘
by Gijs Gieskes
11:00 am – 1:30 pm
In this workshop, you’ll build your own kit together with Gijs.
You can choose from three little devices:
- the Zonneliedje Kick (the Solar Song Kick),
- the Pieper (the Beeper), or
- the Wandelende Tak (the Stick Insect).
The first two are perfect for beginners – most of the components are already on the circuit board, so you’ll see results quickly.
The Wandelende Tak, on the other hand, is a bit more challenging. You’ll need to get creative, experiment, and fine-tune the mechanics until it works.
It’s up to you!
Who is Gijs Gieskes?
An industrial-designer/artist from the Netherlands specializing in the design of electronic devices, for audiovisual use.
When Gijs started to make electronic things he knew almost nothing about how they work, but with simple solutions he managed to make usable instruments anyway. For instance he used a speaker as a relay, where a transistor should have been used. Because of knowing little he used his creativity in a none efficient way, he invented things that already existed. But he feels proud of these inventions, for instance the Relay, the Vactrol and the Phase Locked Loop. Nowadays he knows much more about electronics, but he still wants to work the same way as when he started.
The devices are often sold as kits but also pre assembled. Check his store to see what is currently available.
Gijs also gives workshops, concerts, lectures and have exhibitions.
DIY workshop
‘MIDI Madness Maker‘
by Veerle Pennock
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
In this workshop, you’ll build your own kit together with Veerle, in full DIY fashion.
MIDI Madness Maker is a standalone touch controller that lets you control hardware synthesizers, modular setups, software synths (like VCV Rack), and DAW applications.
Who is Veerle Pennock?
Inventor, educator, and founder of Acid Solder Club Utrecht. Veerle organizes workshops for creative electronics, soldering, art and interaction, sensors, synthesizers, microcontrollers. She is also a DIY workshop facilitator and event coordinator.
DIY workshop
‘CD4046: exploring the sonic possibilities of this CMOS chip‘
by Thomas Betsens
2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Do you feel like learning how to solder, and are you fascinated by strange sounds and noise synths? Then this DIY workshop is the perfect place to start!
Together, we’ll build a Ring4046tulator, using a CD4046 CMOS chip, which we’ll control by light-dependent resistors (LDRs).
Never soldered before? No worries. You’ll have a detailed manual and plenty of guidance throughout the workshop. Before you know it, you’ll be generating your first tones on this noise beast!
Who is Thomas Betsens?
Thomas Betsens is a creative, musically gifted jack-of-all-trades who has spent years exploring new sounds by building unusual instruments and diving into circuit bending.
He also researches biofeedback, using the senses of both the audience and the performers to influence the music itself.