A new musical instrument, translating cutting-edge circuit-bent electronics into the ornate wooden form factor of traditional European classical instruments.

The guts of Barbietron are three thrift-store Barbie-brand electronic toys: a Barbie laptop, a Barbie guitar, and a Barbie karaoke machine. The best circuit bends for new sound were rooted out from the toys and set into controls around the machine, including the music-synchronized blinking crystal knobs/buttons on the top and a foot pedal.

In addition to the main activator, controls were set for Pitch/Speed, Chirp/Click/Scream, Master Volume, and Computers 1 & 2.

The Barbietron also features a built-in Miditron (from which the name derives), which allows USB connection to a PC or MIDI synthesizer. Though completely operable sans-computer, this connection allows the controls of the Barbietron to control the components of a custom-built Max/MSP patch (through which the audio is also routed for endless new-sound generation possibilities).

Detail

A video of Barbietron’s premiere performance, on February 20th 2008: