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landscape
human controlled tape transport
price : $345.00
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the hc-tt is a compact cassette manipulation device which allows you to manually play a cassette with your hands. the resulting sound can be incredibly similar to scratching a vinyl record. sound will only be
produced while your hands are turning either of the large playback knobs. by turning these knobs you are directly rotating the cassette spindles which moves the tape across the internal tape head. the knobs
"play" a regular cassette forwards and backwards. there is no motor in this device, so direction and speed is left to the performer. the illuminated touch switch is a momentary mute for both the mono audio
output as well as the cv/gate outputs. the arches and moons touch plates allow for feedback and other strange interactions. this device does not record audio but only outputs pre-recorded audio from any
cassette tape.
specifications:
forwards and backwards knobs w/metal cranks utilize 4 ball bearings soldered into the case allowing for responsive control and manipulation of an audio cassette tape. scrubbing of audio tape using the two
knobs can sounds nearly identical to scratching a vinyl record. there is no motor or automatic playback in this device, you are the motor. [large arrow] knob is forwards and [small arrow] knob is
backwards.
momentary touch mute [sunset] for gating audio (tape or external) and/or cv/gate signals. touching the mute switch and feedback points simultaneously will create strange buzzy tonalities which change based on
how much skin is in contact with each touch point.
a gain control at it's highest level can get quite loud and add a bit if overdrive to the signal, plus when used in combination with the tone control it can pushed a little more. at it's lowest level it still
allows cleaner audio and lower cv out when moving the tape. this is also pre-cv/gate which means it will be used in tandem with the tone control to send the desired cv/gate amounts out of the hc-tt.
a lo-fi dirty tone control which cuts most bass content at it's lowest level and boosts bass content at it's highest. this control is pre-cv/gate which means it will allow you to adjust your cv/gate levels and
response. you will hear scrubbing sounds when turning this knob and the audio will also cutout due to it's placement in the feedback path of the circuit. turning the knob very quickly creates a bass drum like
effect and if you do this while holding the touch mute the tone will change. this can also be used to send out a gate signal or to "mute" audio destructively by turning the knob.
3.5mm cv and gate [half moon and square] outputs which allow you to use your chosen tape's audio content in combination with your playing style as a way to manipulate a modular synthesizer. to put it another
way, the hc-tt is also a tape based "controller" or modulation source. utilize the immediate responsiveness of a mechanical device and analog tape to control your system in chaotic or subtle ways. hand crank a
sequencer using the gate output, "scratch" a vco with the cv output or make your system sound somewhat similar to the warbled tape you are currently manipulating.
i/o feedback touch points [arches and moons] allowing for touch sensitive analog feedback within the preamp (not to tape). the feedback you create also outputs to cv/gate. this feedback can greatly distort and
mangle your manipulated tape signal as well as incoming audio. by touching only the input pad you will turn your body into an antenna injecting radio signals, hum or static to the audio and cv/gate outputs
(radio frequencies and results vary greatly by location). while touching the input pad [arches] you can also use your other hand as a lo-fi "circuit sniffer" to listen to the sounds of laptops, cellphones and
other equipment which output emf. while touching both pads [arches + moons] and also introducing slight contact towards the sides of the touch mute switch you can change the character of the feedback to sound
more liquid. by touching all three directly you will hear bee or mosquito like tonalities which will change depending on the amounts of skin in contact with each of the touch pads.
the cassette inserts along the front edge by lifting both knobs and then reseating them through the cassette spindles and into the ball bearings below. the cassette is not damaged by this playback method and
this technique makes it nearly impossible to tangle a tape.
¼" mono output [up arrow/left side]
¼" mono input [down arrow/right side] which allows you to use the hc-tt's circuitry as a lo-fi overdrive and playable touch feedback processing device. the input does not go to tape. the input is also
processed to the cv/gate outs. the touch mute also mutes incoming audio.
12v power supply works in all countries and is provided with both a country specific and us plug type adaptor.
entire construction is made from 7 immersion gold pcbs
weight: 0.8lbs
ships with one randomly selected old cassette tape.
note: the hc-tt drives tapes forwards and reverse by the spindles which means store bought loops or diy loose tape loops will not work in this device. tape loops are normally driven by the capstan which pulls
the tape along.
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