When music and engineering cross paths, the results can be simply astonishing. Many traditional instruments deserve to be labeled technological marvels, but once we see the Marble Machine by the Swedish group Wintergatan in action, our adjectives fall to pieces. Three thousand pieces, two thousand marbles, 14 months of work, and a public presentation that will be truly hard to forget.
Many people tend to think of musical instruments as works of art, and they are certainly not wrong, but once we learn more about their construction, the engineer inside us screams with joy. For example, just review the precision, dedication, and patience with which the world's best pianos are built. Machines, men and women cross swords, combine efforts, and manage to shape something capable of generating magic in the hands of an expert, but the best part is that there is always room to challenge limits and experiment.
Take the case of the Marble Machine, a machine designed by the Swedish group Wintergatan. Personally, I believe it is impossible to classify it with certainty, but before we get to that, let's listen to it:
Inside the Marble Machine
A xylophone, a bit of music box, something that appears to be a bass on the right side, the main components of a drum set, and digital equipment in the back represent just a fraction of the three thousand pieces needed to build the Marble Machine. The number of marbles (which give the impression of being metallic bearing balls) amounts to two thousand, and with the enormous number of levers coming out everywhere, it is likely that only its creator Martin Molin can play this... instrument? Or maybe it is better to say orchestra?
The group decided to document the construction of the Marble Machine and all the difficulties that arose along the way, but there is nothing indicating an open design. After all, it was 14 months of work (the videos show no CNC, just patterns and cuts), and it is logical that they prefer to keep some exclusivity over the machine. Taking it on tour also does not seem to be an option due to the difficulty of moving it, but one thing is certain: We want to hear more.
