TE-Lab is an impressive hand-crafted modular sound machine from Love Hulten with granular and sequencing power from Teenage Engineering, Microcosm…
Love Hulten is one of the most fascinating developers in the synth world. That’s because he’s very different. Instead of developing new synthesizers or effects from scratch, he builds new instruments from existing products. So, individual devices become a complete, standalone instrument. I like to talk about works of art here because the instruments are unique and hand-crafted.
His latest project the TE-LAB is again very lovely and fascinating.
Love Hulten TE-LAB
Love Hulten’s new TE-LAB is a modular sound machine which is based on various well-known instruments and effects. The core sound engine consists of modules from the Teenage Engineering PO Modular series. It features analog oscillators, filter, sequencer, and more.
Then, it hosts the lovely Holograms Microcosm, a granular effects pedal with 11 unique algorithms that rearranges and interprets your sound in new and exciting ways. You can here use sampling, pitch-shift, delay, and loop techniques to create unique timbres. Great for huge ambient textures, hypnotic drones, and much more.
It also includes a specially developed turnable sequencer with pins. Very reminiscent of the Playtronica Orbit sequencer. Plus, it has a circular oscilloscope that gives you direct feedback on the waveforms you are generating. All of this is framed in a newly designed wooden console in bright yellow. Just like the Teenage Engineering PO-400 system.
The design is very unusual especially with the yellow color of the wood. Nonetheless Love Hulten’s designs are very impressive and beautiful.
Love Hulten TE Lab is not available for purchase.
More information here: LOVE HULTÉN
Love his work, but he’s not really a developer. He’s an industrial designer/artist.
[Love Hulten is one of the most fascinating developers in the synth world. That’s because he’s very different. Instead of developing new synthesizers or effects from scratch, he builds new instruments from existing products.]
for me, he is a developer, also a industrial designer develops concepts and products 🙂
No that does not make him a “developer” just because you feel like it does! He is rehousing an existing synth, platform, and a product that is all but complete save for the “special” treatment he gives these creations. Its like saying someone that customises cars, built them! No, that person or company did not make or build the car!
Is this not how everyone wishes synthesizers looked like? Wonderful visual design inspires vivid audio experimentation! Thanks for your great articles Tom.
I’m currently taking some guitar pedals apart that have some very awesome effects and turning them into a desktop system using Hammond console boxes. This can be done with any effects pedal, and use toggles instead of the for switch. Line six has a foot pedal that is asking for three desktop synth treatment.