Innovative Electro-Acoustic Instrument Created from Vintage Singer Sewing Machine

Innovation in music often comes from the strangest places, doesn’t it? Gabriel Bonnin, who goes by Singer Sound System, has really run with this idea—he turned an old Singer sewing machine pedal into the heartbeat of his wild electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy.

This oddball mix of antique machinery and modern tech has caught the eyes and ears of both music nerds and sewing machine fans. So, what exactly is going on with this instrument, and who is the creative mind behind it?

The Ingenious Transformation

Gabriel Bonnin kicked off his musical experiment with a simple but clever thought: what if he fused the mechanical guts of a Singer sewing machine with the eerie, medieval vibes of a hurdy-gurdy?

He ditched the usual crank and swapped in the sewing machine pedal, ending up with an instrument that’s as striking to look at as it is to listen to.

How It Works

His electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy runs on a mix of mechanical and electronic parts. Instead of just cranking, he uses the Singer sewing machine pedal to drive the instrument.

He’s also packed it with four built-in microphones. These let him process the sound live with software like Ableton Live. The result? He can layer and twist the sounds into these lush, mesmerizing soundscapes that you really just have to hear.

• Mechanical Precision: The Singer pedal offers steady, reliable power for the hurdy-gurdy.
• Live Sound Processing: Built-in mics and software like Ableton Live let him play with the sound in real time.
• Innovative Design: Mashing up old-school and new-school tech makes this instrument totally unique.

Popular Covers and Performances

Bonnin’s electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy has been turning heads for its weirdly cool sound and offbeat design. He’s used it to cover some big-name songs, proving just how flexible the instrument can be.

Some of his standout covers from the past year or so:

• Doctor Who Theme: His version is haunting, and honestly, it’s hard not to love.
• Ozzy Osbourne’s Crazy Train: This one’s high-energy and shows off the instrument’s wild side.
• The X-Files Theme: He nails the creepy, mysterious vibe here.
• Enter Sandman by Metallica: It’s heavy, it’s bold, and it really works.
• Daft Punk: Somehow, he manages to blend the electronic with the ancient, and it just clicks.

Audience Reactions

Fans haven’t held back their excitement. Someone on Instagram even said his Doctor Who cover sounds more like the original than the actual theme song. That’s a pretty wild compliment, right?

Discover More About Gabriel Bonnin

If you’re curious about Gabriel Bonnin’s electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy, you can check out his performances on YouTube and Instagram. His style is a must-see for anyone who loves that weird space where old tradition and modern tech crash together.

Connecting with the Music Community

Bonnin isn’t just making cool music—he’s reaching out to a community of fellow music lovers and tinkerers. By sharing his work online, he opens the door for others to experiment and rethink what instruments can be.

Conclusion

Gabriel Bonnin’s electro-acoustic hurdy-gurdy runs on an old Singer sewing machine pedal. That alone is pretty wild, right?

He’s taken vintage machinery and mixed it with modern tech. The result? An instrument that looks and sounds like nothing else out there.

Bonnin’s performances include covers of songs like the Doctor Who theme and Metallica’s Enter Sandman. It’s honestly impressive how versatile and distinct his creation sounds.

If you want to dig deeper into Gabriel Bonnin and this whole project, check out the article on Kottke.org. There’s more about his creative process and how folks in the music world have reacted.