Discover the Alchemy of Sound with TheCrowHillCo

10. September 2025

LUMINA

Discover the Alchemy of Sound with TheCrowHillCo

Step into a world where sound becomes a tangible entity, a space where creative visions are etched in cosmic waves. TheCrowHillCo leads us through the ethereal realm of Lomond Campbell’s studio in the Scottish Highlands. Here, instruments transcend their physical form, presenting a tapestry of sound as intricate as the Highland landscape itself. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an exploration of music’s essence, where every note is a brushstroke in the painting of life.

A Journey to the Edge of Sound

TheCrowHillCo embarks on a sonic pilgrimage from the vibrant heart of Edinburgh to the serene expanses of the Scottish Highlands. As we journey through the mystical landscapes of Glencoe and Ardnamurchan, we’re enveloped by the beauty of nature’s own architecture. The final destination is The Lengths, an extraordinary studio that stands as both a creative sanctuary and a testament to artistic innovation. This space is the brainchild of Lomond Campbell, a visionary composer and instrument maker who thrives on exploring the fringes of sound and design. The frenetic pace of the city dissolves away, replaced by the profound silence of the Highlands, a silence that whispers untold stories just waiting to unfold.

...a composer, producer, instrument inventor, and general maverick whose creations resist easy categorization.

© Screenshot/Quote: Thecrowhillco (YouTube)

The Lentz: A Monument of Modernism

The Lentz, a once derelict 1960s primary school transformed by Lomond Campbell into a temple of creativity, invites one into a world where sound and structure entwine. This modernist marvel reshapes the boundaries of what a studio can be—featuring a recording suite, living quarters, and a workshop designed for uninhibited creation. Campbell’s imagination dances within these walls, crafting not only music but new worlds of potential. This isn’t merely a building; it’s a living organism that breathes life into every project that ventures through its halls. With its adaptable spaces, The Lentz embodies the modular nature of the instruments crafted within, resonating with the very essence of Campbell’s artistic ethos.


Instruments Born from Stars and Serendipity

...so it resulted in that tiny little G being like played, you know, or like a little click or beat or something.

© Screenshot/Quote: Thecrowhillco (YouTube)

Lomond Campbell’s creations are anything but conventional. Within The Lentz, instruments such as the harmonograph blur the line between sound and visual form, translating cosmic events into musical expressions. One particularly compelling device is the Muonophone, which uses detectors to capture muons, subatomic particles born from celestial occurrences. These instruments are more than mechanical; they are conduits through which the universe speaks. Campbell connects mathematical harmony with auditory experience, a testament to his innovative spirit. Each note felt not merely as sound, but as a celestial event—merging the abstract with the tangible, the sonic with the quiet murmur of the cosmos.

A Workshop of Wonder and Whimsy

In the heart of The Lentz lies a workshop where dreams take tangible form. This space, echoing the ethos of Tom Sachs, is a playground for the imagination, littered with the remnants of past projects and seeds of future innovations. From the tactile physicality of raw materials to the intricate process of crafting each device, Campbell’s workshop is an atelier of auditory art. Here, sounds are coaxed from the unlikeliest of sources—car parts, found timber, and forgotten machines—each finding new life in Campbell’s hands. The interplay of chance and intention defines his approach, balancing precision with spontaneity. This tangible expression of creativity is what makes The Lentz more than a studio; it’s a living, breathing repository of possibilities.

...it's going to be a performance instrument and an installation.

© Screenshot/Quote: Thecrowhillco (YouTube)

The Alchemy of Sound and Vision

So it's all like quantizing. So what key is it going to be in? What's the range?

© Screenshot/Quote: Thecrowhillco (YouTube)

Lomond Campbell’s artistry is a confluence of visual and auditory exploration. As we delve deeper into his process, we uncover an artist who sees no boundary between sound and sight. Studied in sculpture, Campbell employs his visual acumen to design instruments that are as beautiful as they are functional. This synthesis extends into his music, creating compositions that are informed by the interplay of structure and chance. His immersive approach allows him to dance nimbly between predetermined paths and unanticipated directions, crafting soundscapes that resonate with life and emotion. In the symbiosis of sound and vision, Campbell finds a unique voice that echoes the unfettered spirit of The Lentz.

A Space that Resonates with Creativity

The Lentz stands as a monument to the spirit of innovation, where Lomond Campbell’s conceptual explorations defy conventional boundaries. His use of introspective and generative techniques brings to life instruments that are personal reflections rather than mere tools. These creations, bounded by neither commercial interests nor traditional norms, serve as extensions of Campbell’s relentless curiosity. His instruments are more than just devices; they are statements of intent, a celebration of unbridled creativity. Through them, Lomond invites us to perceive music not merely as an auditory experience, but as something that we can inhabit, each note a step deeper into the narrative of sound.


This article is also available in German. Read it here: https://synthmagazin.at/entdecke-die-alchemie-des-klangs-mit-thecrowhillco/