FAD GADGETS

Rhodri Marsden on three of the latest must-have gizmos currently putting the prog in progress.

SUBHARMONICON

Moog’s new synthesiser takes its cues from two of the earliest electronic instruments, both built in the 1930s: the Trautonium – a hulking monophonic beast beloved of prolific German composer

Paul Hindemith – and the Rhythmicon, the world’s first electronic drum machine. The Subharmonicon generates sequences based on the ideas of another musical pioneer, Joseph Schillinger, who devised a mathematical system of composition in the early 20th century. One review refers to the new device as a “happy accident machine.” It comes with serious retro pedigree.

WE ARE REWIND

Hot on the heels of the Mystik featured in Prog 109, we have another 21st century attempt to rehabilitate the humble cassette. With typical Walkman stylings, We Are Rewind runs on a rechargeable battery, comes with Bluetooth built in (naturally) and even lets you record to cassette via a 3.5mm input jack. Mixtape ahoy! The question of how many people yearn to hit record and play simultaneously in the year 2020 is highly debatable, but hey, this device managed to hit its Kickstarter target effortlessly. Some people’s Electric Dreams will soon be coming true.

ROADIE 3

Guitar tuning is a monstrously tedious business. Over the years, several devices have tried to make it easier for guitarists and less of an irritant for audiences (“Just one second – dang, dang, dang, dang – hang on – dang, dang”). The Roadie automates a process that is highly susceptible to human error. Just pop it over the tuning peg and watch it mechanically tweak the string to the right pitch. Shifting to alternate tuning suddenly become a breeze. It lends my playing an (extremely thin) sheen of professionalism.