John Richards's Mute Synth – made in collaboration with writer and designer Adrian Shaughnessy and Mute label boss Daniel Miller – is featured in The Wire 335 in an article by Jennifer Lucy Allan.

Richards describes the synth: "It's not a new idea using the body to conduct electricity but it's such a great way to physically engage with an electronic instrument. I'd seen the Crackle Box, which is a similar instrument that was developed in the 70s, and thought a lot more could be done with the design. And I quite liked the idea that there weren't any knobs – a kind of knobless instrument."

Click here to watch Twisted Bodies Carry Electricity, a video documenting a performance by Eleonara Oreggio, Shidan Ye and Dirty Electronics. See a couple of Mute Synth modifications below:

Mute Synth Mod by Stu Smith (aka A.S.M.O.) IDC Connection and Ribbon Cable with DIY controlle, John Richards and Stu Smith