CHD–4 a heartbeat drum machine by Love Hultén

CHD–4 is a unique art piece producing rhythms based on the heartbeats of four children with congenital heart defects. Created in a collaboration by Swedish tech company teenage engineering and audiovisual artist Love Hultén, the one-of-a-kind instrument unites art, technology, design, and purpose. The machine will be put on auction starting on Valentines Day to raise money for the issue.

Over 1.3 million babies are born each year with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Making it the most common birth defect in the world. Despite that, the issue has low general awareness. To increase knowledge and engagement, Swedish tech company teenage engineering and designer Love Hultén joined forces and developed the CHD-4 – a drum machine created using the electrocardiograms of four children with different heart defects.

The instrument functions as a modular synthesizer where each ECG has been decoded to a sequencer, enabling the user to play and create with the heartbeats of each child. The patterns can be played together or individually in order to create sounds that exemplify “each child’s irregular heartbeat”.  The unique art piece is handmade by audiovisual artist and woodworker Love Hultén, known for his extravagant and unconventional sound installations.

The auction starts on February 14 and ends on February 28. All proceeds will go to the Swedish Heartchild Foundation, a nonprofit that supports children born with congenital heart diseases and their families.

For in-depth information visit: https://www.heartbeatdrummachine.com/

teenage engineering 400 modules:
4 x ENV
2 x NOISE
1 x LFO
4 x FILTER
3 x SQUARE
1 x SINE
4 x VCA
1 x MIX