Windhowler (1960s)
Mole-Richardson
Mole Richardson Windhowler (photo by Tonsturm)
Wind sound effect machine
Wind sound generator, powered by electricity.
Available in 1967 - further research ongoing.
There were two parameters which affected the complexity of the sound:
Disc (available with 1,2,3 or 4 holes) - number of simultaneous frequencies in play
Resonators - 15 different types available, which are placed into the holes on the disc.
From the 1980 Catalog:
The Windhowler is capable of producing almost any type of wind sound 'live', in varying pitch and indefinite length for ease in cueing to stage action or for recording purposes. Sounds are created by employing the 15 resonators either singly or in combinations up to four at a time while operating the fan unit. The integral variable transformer provides a means of varying the ounds from a whisper to a shriek. Some of the wind noises possible are: Moaning (low, medium or high pitch), Hurricane, Desert, Mountain, Whistling, Winter, Forest, Weird, Ship Rigging and Shrill. This Moleffect will also create a remarkably faithful jet plane sound as well as many additional sounds with other resonator combinations.
The German sound software company Tonsturm have sampled a variety of configurations of a mint-condition Windhowler, called WindMaschine.
See also:
Catalogue & Journal Entries for Windhowler in the Backstage Heritage Collection
Back to Sound - Effects (Mole-Richardson)
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