German percussionist Michael Vorfeld creates sound installations by turning different light bulbs on and off. The popping bulbs and flashing lights create a uniquely rhythmic experience for his live audiences. The above video is from a performance last February in Brussels.
Nic
It’s likely most of the acoustic effect is due to the impulse response of the filament going through a rapid temperature change. A filament has a positive temperature coefficient of resistance, that is, a lower resistance when cold and higher resistance when hot (that’s why they burn out when you first turn them on), and also a positive mechanical coefficient in its dimensions. As the filament achieves steady state temperature after you turn it on, it expands in size generating a mechanical force. Hence, a sound.
I still like the magnetorestrictive theory as well. There’s probably a little of that too.
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