Lot 61
  • 61

THE FIRST ELECTRIC SOUND SYNTHESIZER

Estimate
25,000 - 35,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • A Helmholtz Sound Synthesizer, manufactured in Chemnitz by Max Kohl after the design by Hermann von Helmholtz, ca 1905.
  • wood, metal, ivory
Wood, brass and steel sound synthesizer, signed "Max Kohl, Chemnitz, 1/8", 39½ x 29", mahogany base fitted with 11 steel tuning forks signed MK, each fork stamped with corresponding note and frequency in vs (vibrations per second, i.e. hertz). Forks 1-10 fixed between pairs of electromagnets and mounted vertically onto wooden platforms (numbered 1-10) along with brass Helmholtz resonators, each pair ranging in size according to their graduating frequencies, each platform with "Aus/Ein" [on/off] switch. 11th fork (marked UT256 vs) mounted horizontally onto wooden platform with electromagnetic coil mounted between tines, adjustable mercury cup below lower tine; one end of board fitted with 2 anodes and 2 cathodes for connection to external 20 volt power sources; other end of board fitted with keyboard of 10 keys (8 ivory, and 2 non-mammalian replacements), each corresponding to 1 tuning fork/resonator pair (UT256 vs; UT512 vs; SOL768 vs; UT1024 vs; MI1280 vs; SOL1536 vs; 1792 vs; UT2048 vs; RE2304 vs; &  MI2560 vs). All 11 platforms connected together in series with wire filaments from the horizontal tuning fork.

Literature

For a detailed description of how to operate this apparatus see: Appendix VIII "Practical Directions for Performing the Experiments on the Composition of Vowels" in: Hermann von Helmholtz. On the Sensations of Tone as the Physiological Basis for the Theory of Music. London: Longmann, Greens & Co, 1885; David Pantalony. Altered Sensations: Rudolph Koenig's Acoustical Workshop in Nineteenth-Century Paris. New York: Springer Science, 2009Torben Rees. "'Helmholtz's apparatus for the synthesis of sound: an electrical 'talking machine.''' Explore Whipple Collections, Whipple Museum of the History of Science, University of Cambridge, 2010 [http://www.hps.cam.ac.uk/whipple/explore/acoustics/hermanvonhelmholtz/helmholtzssynthesizer/, accessed 23 October 2017]; Max Kohl Price List No. 50, Vols. II and III. Physical Apparatus. Vol. II. Chemnitz, Germany: Max Kohl, 1909, item 53,586, p. 460.

Condition

Some oxidization to metal components including resonators, tuning forks, anodes/cathodes, electromagnets, and labelling plates; wear to edges of mahogany base; wear to keys, two keys replaced with modern, non-organic materials; mechanics of one key in need of repair; mercury-dipping pin formerly affixed to underside of main horizontal driving fork lacking, a small component which would have been mounted near the base of the horizontal tuning fork missing (possibly a secondary mercury cup); wiring appears to be intact. Mercury cup filled with non-toxic Gallium instead of Mercury; board has been tested and powered up using two 20 volt power sources (for a total of 40 volts) - individual forks were tested for continuity in wiring, but the continuity of wiring for entire board was not tested.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

A MAGNIFICENT EXAMPLE OF HERMANN VON HELMHOLTZ'S SOUND SYNTHESIZER, AN ELECTRONICALLY DRIVEN DEVICE USED FOR ARTIFICIALLY CREATING MUSICAL SOUNDS OF DIFFERENT TIMBRE, AND THE VOWELS OF THE HUMAN VOICE.

The Helmholtz Sound or Vowel Synthesizer was used to combine timbres of 10 harmonics to form the vowel sounds A, E, I, O, and U. Driven by an intermittent electrical current, the tuning forks were made to vibrate using electromagnets. The forks would generate a fundamental frequency and overtones which could then be combined. The keyboard controlled a series of round shutters which covered the aperture of each resonator. When one pressed a key, that shutter would move, allowing the waves from the tuning fork to enter the resonator and produce a tone; the intensity could be adjusted by sliding the resonator closer to or farther from the fork.

With this device, Helmholtz showed that musical notes are composed of many different tones, and that the timbre of vowel sounds and musical notes is a result of their complexity. The device clearly demonstrated that the musical note not only contains "a simple 'fundamental' vibration... but also a 'harmonic series' of whole number multiples of this frequency called 'overtones'. Helmholtz proved, using this synthesizer, that it is the combination of overtones at varying levels of intensity that give musical tones, and vowel sounds, their particular sounds quality, or timbre." (Rees) Specimens of this device are extremely rare, with only one similar but smaller apparatus located in a US institution that we know of — we have not seen any others as large or finely made as this one. Max Kohl of Chemnitz is perhaps one of the most famous scientific instrument makers of the late 19th and 20th centuries. His work was distinguished by its exacting craftsmanship, and high quality materials.