The Cracklebox is a self-powered alternative-keyboard analog audio synthesizer with built-in loudspeaker that started out in avant garde productions of the seventies and now is being accepted and used by popular musicians.
The Cracklebox was an experimental electronic music instrument created by Michel Waisvisz in 1975. In the 70’s, about 4000 Crackleboxes were built and sold by STEIM (the Studio for Electro-Instrumental Music) in Amsterdam.
Old Crackleboxes are collector’s items, but the inexpensive instruments were rereleased in 2004. The sounds created by the Cracklebox are more familiar to today’s audiences, familiar with synth effects, scratching, glitch music and even circuit bending.
According to Waisvisz, various performers are playing this instrument on stage now, including Mouse on Mars and Coil.
New Crackleboxes are available from Steim for about US $75.
Rate This Post: 
Bookmarking links:
