SIM-RHYTHMICON: Discover the World of Leon Theremin’s Polyrhythms
Welcome to the fascinating world of unique musical instruments of the past, recreated in a modern digital format! The SIM-RHYTHMICON plugin from Quilcom offers you an incredible opportunity to touch history and explore the sound of a virtual version of the legendary polyrhythmic instrument, created by Leon Theremin back in 1931.
History That Comes to Life
The original Rhythmicon was a revolutionary instrument, commissioned by composer Henry Cowell to explore and perform complex polyrhythmic structures. This instrument allowed the simultaneous reproduction of several rhythmic lines with different speed ratios, each with its own harmonically related pitch. This opened up previously unseen possibilities for creating unique and hypnotic musical textures. SIM-RHYTHMICON strives to be true to Henry Cowell’s vision, bringing this concept into your modern digital workspace.
What is Polyrhythm?
Polyrhythm is the simultaneous sounding of two or more independent rhythmic lines. For example, playing two notes in the time of three, or three in the time of four. This creates a sense of complexity, movement, and is often used in jazz, ethnic music (especially African and Indian) and contemporary academic music. The Rhythmicon was one of the first instruments specifically designed to facilitate experimentation with polyrhythm.
SIM-RHYTHMICON Capabilities
The SIM-RHYTHMICON plugin not only emulates the original instrument, but also adds new features that would have been impossible on the physical Rhythmicon, while preserving its spirit and basic idea. How does it work?
- Keys as Rhythmic Generators: Each key on your MIDI keyboard, starting from C3 (middle C) and above, up to Eb5 (E-flat in the fifth octave), is responsible for reproducing the rhythmic pulsation. Moreover, the higher the key, the faster the rhythmic pulsation, creating progressively faster beat divisions.
- Harmonically Related Sounds: Each rhythmic pulsation is accompanied by a sound whose pitch is harmonically related to the corresponding rhythmic speed. This creates an organic combination of rhythm and melody, which is a characteristic feature of the Rhythmicon.
- Exploring Polyrhythmic Relationships: By pressing several keys simultaneously, you can create complex polyrhythmic patterns, exploring the relationships of speeds and their interactions.
- Modern Additions: Quilcom has integrated features that were not in the original to make the plugin more flexible and convenient for modern musicians. While the details of these additions may vary, their goal is to expand the creative potential of the instrument without departing from its original concept.
Who Is This Plugin For?
SIM-RHYTHMICON will be a valuable tool for:
- Composers and experimenters interested in polyrhythm and unusual rhythmic structures.
- Musicians looking for fresh and original sounds and ideas for their tracks.
- Sound designers who need unique rhythmic textures.
- Enthusiasts of the history of musical instruments.
Technical Details
The plugin is available in VST format, which ensures compatibility with most popular digital audio workstations (DAWs) on the Windows platform (supporting both 32-bit and 64-bit systems). Due to its focus on the generation of rhythmic patterns, it will fit perfectly into your production process as a unique source of inspiration.
Discover the legacy of Leon Theremin and Henry Cowell through SIM-RHYTHMICON and add unique polyrhythmic patterns to your music!
