hitting vintage tape recorder reels like drums creates unique sound for issey miyake

musical group open reel ensemble have found a unique way of making music, creating reverberating drum beats on the outstretched tape of cracked open reel-to-reel tape recorders from the 1970s and 1980s. the japanese musicians behind the group include ei wada, haruka yoshida, and masaru yoshida, have been making sounds and publishing them since 2013, producing sounds including a soundtrack for designer issey miyake‘s last four seasons.

videos and images by open reel ensemble

open reel ensemble produces a mysterious timbre that resembles a synthesizer, changing pitch depending on the place the drumsticks hit. ‘manipulate the rotation of the reel with your hand or computer, and assemble the ensemble using the sound and voice recorded on the tape on the spot‘, it reads on the group’s website. ‘that strange tone and musicality are highly appreciated.’ you can listen to more compositions by the trio on youtube.

the group has played live at events such as sonar and ars electronica

the group experiment’s in various performances, using materials like bamboo to create different sounds

the group performs with vintage tape recorder sets from the 70s and 80s