In what might be the greatest invention we’ve ever seen, Martin Molin of Swedish group Wintergatan has taken 2000 marbles and literally created a one man band. Welcome to the astounding Musical Marble Machine.
Built using amongst other things, plywood, bits of wire, and Lego Technic pieces the Wintergatan Marble Machine, was dreamt up and built by Swedish musician Martin Molin, and is basically a hand-made music box.
Spinning a handle on one side turns a rubber band that sets into motion a series of giant cogs that powers a kick drum, bass, vibraphone, guitar, xylophone, and other instruments all with the aid of 2,000 marbles. It really has to be seen (and heard) to be believed.
Marbles are transported up to the top in rows, then dropped onto a platform where the balls fall into multiple queues ahead of a series of plastic tubes. As the metal balls flow down through the machine, different levers are used to alter their path.
Once the first lever is pulled, the marbles are released so they fall onto vibraphone keys in a specific sequence, creating a tune. The timing of each release is dictated by a programmed wheel that rotates underneath.
A series of Lego pegs sticking up from the circumference flick the bottom of elements that hold the marbles in place, allowing one ball to pass each time – it truly is a work of art.
Activating another gear releases an intermittent stream onto a disk, which produces a snare-drum sound every time it is hit. Other levers control the bass, kickdrum, sizzle cymbal and hi-hat sounds. Molin activates and deactivates these when required during the song.
When they've made their sounds, the marbles are collected in funnels and channelled back into the complex system of wire tracks that eventually transports them back up to the top.
Since the video filmed by Molin’s friend Hannes Knutsson was posted at the start of the month it has received almost 14 million views on YouTube. Check it out below.
And if you’re interested in the bands page you can visit it here.