CrackleMask

The CrackleMask is an implementation of the Kraakdoos (CrackleBox), originally designed by Michael Waisvisz at STEIM (STudio for Electro Instrumental Music). The instrument is comprised of six contact points that produce very unpredictable sounds/noises when pressed with the fingers. The human body becomes part of the circuit, thus different people will produce different results. The heart of the circuit is a LM709, which is an obsolete operational amplifier that lacks internal frequency compensation (VERY UNSTABLE). The Kraakdoos takes advantage of this chips instability by making “wrong” connections. The sounds that result are essentially an abuse of the LM709 operational amplifier. 

Schematic: 

CrackleMask rev1 was conceived of and produced at Mills College. I wanted to create a character that is in process of witnessing their dreams of a positive technological future twisted into oppression, exploitation, and abuse. CrackleMask rev1’s visual aesthetic is loosely based on early 20th century expressionists such as Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and Emile Nolde. The mask itself is constructed of wood. 

The circuit is basically the same as the original Kraakdoos, however the amplifier section has been modified to use an LM386 (integrated circuit amplifier) in place of the transistor amplifier. The circuit is placed at the back of the head. The contact points are on the face of the mask, connected to the circuit via visible wires. The speaker is mounted on the mouth of the mask, facing inward. This allows the performer to modulate the sound of the speaker with their mouth. In performance, a wireless lavalier microphone is attached to the inside of the mask near the speaker. This signal is sent to a computer for audio processing. Though any audio processing program can be used, I have preferred Supercollider for this task.

Front and back views of CrackleMask rev1

CrackleMask rev2 debuted in Driven Arts Collective’s << Khôra >> : a dance in digital and physical space at ODC in San Francisco on 8/24/19. This performance used two CrackleMask rev2’s. CrackleMask rev1 is an extremely uncomfortable mask to wear. Visibility is poor and there are no holes for breathing.  Rev2 attempts to remedy this by using plaster face-molds instead of wood. The eye holes are made large enough to allow for some peripheral vision, and there are nose holes and mouth holes. The circuit has been constructed to have a smaller profile. The wires connecting the speaker to the mask were sewn into the elastic holding the mask to the face.