The Electronic Sackbut reconstruction project
Project description
The Electronic Sackbut is a keystone artifact in Ingenium’s electronic musical instrument collection. Built by Canadian Hugh Le Caine between 1945 and 1948, it is recognized as one of the world’s first synthesizers—and is likely the oldest surviving example of its kind. This project aims to create a full-scale, fully-functional reconstruction of this artifact. The goal is to give researchers and musicians the opportunity to play this historic instrument for the first time in over 70 years.
Below you will find blog updates and other resources related to this project. This includes an interactive virtual instrument, launched in commemoration of the Electronic Sackbut’s 75th anniversary (1948-2023), which allows users to experiment for the first time with some of the 1948 instrument’s main controls and sounds.
Playable virtual instrument
This interactive virtual instrument offers an unprecedented look at some of the 1948 Electronic Sackbut’s main controls and sounds. Click below to launch the instrument and explore it for yourself.
Project blogs
Uncovering the secrets of the world’s first synthesizer (Part I)
By: Tom Everrett
Uncovering the secrets of the world’s first synthesizer (Part II)
By: Tom Everrett
Sound artifacts
The Sound Artifacts project investigates our changing material world from the perspective of sound. The project unites a growing body of work at Ingenium, taking sound as a starting point for thinking about the design, use, and influence of technology in our lives.
