Hear the Otherworldly ‘Choir’ of Singing Beechwood Dolls by Teenage Engineering

Teenage Engineering, a Stockholm-based electronics company, has introduced a quirky and charming new lineup to its selection of audio systems. The Choir, a line of linkable digital speakers is an eclectic octuple of sweet, robotic, wooden characters.

Comprising eight distinctive designs, each beechwood figurine has its own vocal range. Olga, for example, is a “Russian contralto,” shaped like a nesting Matryoshka doll. Bogdan is a bass and wears a bulky hat. And Miki, representing Japan, is a tenor. Every member of the international Choir has an internal speaker that can run for three to four hours continuously, and they can be linked together via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) with up to 15 other choral singers.

The Choir can perform prerecorded compositions or, with the assistance of a midi keyboard linked via BLE, belt out original tunes. The effect is a kind of unearthly, alluring audio that wavers between human and digital sounds.

For composer Rob Simonsen, who has scored films like The Whale, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Deadpool & Wolverine—among many others—the Choir was a welcome addition for his latest project, Elio. Disney and Pixar’s newest film is set in space, and Simonsen sought something distinctive from a traditional orchestra to really bring that otherworldly element to the fore. After seeing a video demonstration of the Choir, he knew it was the perfect fit. He says:

We were looking for an otherworldly sound—something that sounded relatable, that echoed vocalizations (and) communication that humans could understand but felt like it was from another world. I came across these Choir dolls and heard their sound. It was beautiful—electronic, but human. Each body is handcrafted. They have a robotic but organic sound at the same time. It felt like a perfect answer to what we were looking for.

Choir members are available for purchase in Teenage Engineering’s online store for $249 individually or $1,992 for the entire set. (via Kottke)

a wooden doll-like form with a speaker inside, held in two parts by two hands — Olga

a set of abstract wooden figures with speakers inside

an abstract wooden figure with speakers inside — Miki

three cartoonish wooden figures that hold speakers inside — ‘Elio’-inspired Choir doll speakers

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