The Apples in Stereo's Robert Schneider Creates Mind-Controlled Synth

Published Sep 03, 2010

As well as being the frontman for Elephant Six pop outfit the Apples in Stereo , Robert Schneider is a bit of a math whiz. He has previously written songs using his non-Pythagorean scale, which he created using logarithms. Now, Schneider has unveiled his craziest invention yet: a synthesizer that you control with your mind.It's possible that this whole thing is an elaborate hoax, but the singer has posted a video on YouTube (see below) that looks pretty genuine. In it, he demonstrates that he is able to alter the pitch of his Moog synthesizer using brain waves. He calls the contraption the Teletron, and explains that it involves a Mattel toy called the MindFlex, which he modified and hooked up to his synthesizer.As he says in the video, "The higher the intensity of my thoughts, the more brain activity I have going on, the higher the pitch. The less brain activity, the lower." Making the whole thing stranger is the fact that Schneider keeps the room dark, illuminating himself with a green light.Check it out below, and see this video for instructions on how to make your own Teletron. Please be advised that we definitely aren't responsible if you get yourself electrocuted.Thanks to Pitchfork for the heads up.