Save the earth and make some noise with the Recycling Entertainment System

So Earth Day came and went, and most of the world carried on with their lives of decadence and individually-wrapped cashews. Sure, some hippies might have tried to spread the love, the word, and a myriad of diseases about the “holiday,” but their cries fell on deaf ears since recycling is duller than that soggy cardboard pizza box you threw out last week. If only they had known about the Recycling Entertainment System, a group of recycled NES’ brought together for something you can really give a hoot about.

 

 

Designed by Benjamin Gaulon, the Recycling Entertainment System (or RES for short) is a device that uses six modified NES controllers that are connected to a main chip. The chip converts the signals from each controller into MIDI sounds, which are then run through a computer. Translation? You’ve got yourself the most unique band since Devo.

With each controller simulating a different instrument (from bass to percussions to even synthesizers), professional music can be made. It’s a lot like that instrument setup you made out of plastic bottles back in grade school, except a whole lot cooler.

For those interested in all of the details and magic behind this project, you can check out the creator’s site here.

11 Responses to “Save the earth and make some noise with the Recycling Entertainment System”

  1. darklurkr23 May 2, 2011 at #

    Ok…. this could be the most depressing promo ever. If they are supposed to be showing the thing off in full form, why isn’t every controller picked up and jammed with? Not very inspiring to see the box there with all 6 controllers in a badly lit room not being used at all. Still sounds cool though :D

  2. ultracombo May 2, 2011 at #

    no blowing the cartridge here

  3. krimsun May 2, 2011 at #

    Werid, but cool too. It’s like Wii music, but better lol.

  4. meow May 2, 2011 at #

    Sounds like a waste of time.

  5. Dannyboy182 May 2, 2011 at #

    Couldn’t find 7 friends to demo it with, wonder why…

  6. ultracombo May 3, 2011 at #

    the cube reminds of gamecube too

  7. benjamin gaulon May 3, 2011 at #

    Check out the RES MINI (from 2010), the RES is a project from 2004/2005…

    http://www.recyclism.com/theresmini.php

    You can make your own (see tutorial and source code) but you can also order one here:
    http://www.protonoir.com/protonoir/theresmini/

    b.

  8. derkasan May 3, 2011 at #

    @benjamin gaulon – Thanks for the heads up! It’s great to see the development of this project.

    Be sure to keep The Kartel in mind for any future projects; we’d love to give you coverage!

  9. domo325 May 3, 2011 at #

    Pretty cool device but it caters to a specific crowd. This would definitely be a blast to those music lover gamers.

  10. Nearlight June 14, 2011 at #

    That’s pretty awesome! I know that my old suite mates from college and I would jump at the opportunity to jam out a track on one of these.

    And yes, it caters to the creative and musically-inclined.

  11. obsidianspire July 25, 2011 at #

    NES Band, RES, what will they come up with next?

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