If you've ever fancied manipulating the sounds on a cassette tape just like you'd scratch a vinyl record, you need to check out the new HC-TT, (Human Controlled Tape Transport), a compact cassette manipulation device which allows you to play a cassette with your hands.
Sound will only be produced while your hand is turning the single black knob. By turning this knob you are rotating the cassette spindle moving the tape across the internal tape head. The knob plays a regular cassette in the forward direction and a homemade cassette loop in either direction. The blue switch is a momentary mute for both stereo channels. There is no motor in this device. It does not record - it just outputs pre-recorded audio from a cassette.
Developer, Eric, tells us, "This is a lo-fi device, it's for people who enjoy hiss/noise and other wonderful imperfections, it can be used for real time experimental tape performance."
Check out the website to see a video of the HC-TT in action.
Pricing and Availability:
$260
More information:
Developments for Korg's instrument have been slow but promising.
Older Music Machines & the People Who Still Use Them