This Pile of Springs Will Blow Your Mind

Built by LA based composer, performer and instrument designer Chas Smith, this thing looks like a load of springs welded together almost at random, but once you hear the beautiful timbres you realise there is thought and process behind this design.

Chas Smith has made over 25 of his own exotic instruments for his own compositions. Studying with composers in the 1970s such as Morton Subotnik, Mel Powell and James Tenney, Chas's own compositions display a dualistic fascination with the scientific and the sensual.

The instrument played above was recorded on an iPhone, so you can imagine how good this thing would sound if it was recorded properly. The wash of "reverberation" is outstanding giving a shimmer like quality to the struck springs.

A truly interesting and imaginative instrument and performer.

Hear Chas talk about his process here:

• Artists Favourite Calibre Tracks 21-Oct-26
• Mulch Box 21-Oct-26
• Look Mum No Computer Interview 20-Oct-26
• KORG MS2000R Hardware-Level Emulator 20-Oct-26
• STR-500 Gestural Granular Synthesizer 16-Oct-26