The Resonator: A Revolutionary String Instrument from Melbourne
The Resonator is a groundbreaking string instrument that has been crafted in Melbourne by Michael Lillis. This innovative creation is designed to be played by sound rather than fingers, utilizing an audio signal to excite the strings through a driver bridge that functions like a loudspeaker. As a result, any string tuned in harmony with that signal begins to vibrate on its own, producing the same sympathetic resonance that gives instruments like the sitar or tanpura their unique shimmer. Custom pickups then send the resulting sound back out.
This instrument offers versatility in its application. It can be played on its own from a keyboard or another source, providing a harmonious drone to support other instruments. Alternatively, it can be used more subtly as a tonal reverb, adding harmonics and overtones to a single track or an entire subgroup in the mix. The Resonator is particularly well-suited for ambient production and film and video game scoring, as evidenced by its appearance on Leah Senior's "People Pleaser" from the album Pt. Roadknight, where it was played live at the album launch.
The Resonator is available in two models: the full studio Composer and the stripped-back Stage. The Composer is a stereo version with 36 strings tuned chromatically across three octaves from C2. It features a circle-of-fifths key selector, allowing users to set which strings are free to resonate, and a foot pedal that mutes them through felt bars. On the other hand, the Stage is a mono version with 14 strings across a guitar-like range from E2, making it lightweight and portable, suitable for mounting on a board with an amp and mixer and packing into a guitar flight case. Presale orders for the Stage are open until Friday, September 18th.
Both models require an amplifier to drive the bridge, which operates at 4 ohms and handles 100W RMS per side. Lillis recommends using a Fosi Audio stereo amp for its affordability, simplicity, compactness, and lightweight design. Even a small desktop amp is sufficient for typical playing.
One of the key features of the Resonator is its hand-carved buzz bridge, which borrows the curved profile from the sitar's Ghoraj bridge. This bridge disrupts each string's natural oscillation just enough to draw out higher overtones and thicken the tone, adding a unique sonic quality to the instrument.
In summary, the Resonator is a remarkable instrument that pushes the boundaries of traditional string playing. Its innovative design and versatility make it a valuable tool for musicians and producers in various genres, offering a fresh and captivating sonic experience.
