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Circuit bending is basically the creative re-wiring of a battery powered electronic
device with the aim of creating a new and unique electronic musical instrument.
The term “circuit-bending” was coined by Reed Ghazala, the generally recognized “Father”
of the process. (For more info see his website at Anti-Theory.com)

The new, experimental, and sometimes bizarre sounds that can be coaxed from a seemingly
benign child's toy can be truly amazing. A quote from the Anti-Theory website states:

“ The circuit-bent instrument, often a re-wired audio toy or game, is an alien instrument:
alien in electronic design, alien in voice, alien in musician interface. Through this procedure,
all around our planet, a new musical vocabulary is being discovered.
A new instrumentarium is being born.”

Current project, the "NOISE-JET "

Noise_Jet

(click image for more info)

Wow. This one's crazy - and seemingly never ending! It keeps getting

more and more complicated.

The "DistorTex"

My First Sony image Distortex

Before & After (click image above for more info)

Began life as a "My First Sony" Cassette recorder.

The "M. Bae-Tar "

M Bae-Tar image

(click image above for more info)

A "NuJam Guitar", slightly modified... :-)

The "CD-DePLAYER"

(click image above to see more)

mp3 Audio Sample #1 (2 min.) - Straight.

mp3 Audio Sample #2 (2 min.) - "A" connected to "3".
mp3 Audio Sample #3 (2 min.) - "C" connected to "1".
mp3 Audio Sample #4 (2 min.) - "D" to "E" AND "2" to "4".
mp3 Audio Sample #5 (2 min.) - "C" to "D" and then remove.

mp3 Audio Sample #6 (2 min.) - "3" to "L" AND "4" to "R".
mp3 Audio Sample #7 (2 min.) - "C" to "L" AND "C" to "R".
mp3 Audio Sample #8 (2 min.) - "D" to "L" AND "D" to "R".
mp3 Audio Sample #9 (2 min.) - "E" to "L" AND "E" to "R".

I picked up the small portable CD player at the thrift store for $2.00,
opened it up and found several "glitch" points associated with the anti-shock
memory. I decided to make a "bolt bay" so that any of these points could be
connected together via clips. I also added 2 switches and 2 pots which can be "wired in".

I picked a sound-byte we're all familiar with for the audio sample for this device -
the first 2 minutes of Led Zep's "Stairway to Heaven". Sample #1 is "straight",
for those few who have lived under a rock and never heard this classic before.
The rest are the exact same section of song, at various jumper settings, as indicated.

The "CAUTION BOX"

After (click image to see more)

Before

mp3 Audio Sample #1 (about 58 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #3 (about 37 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #8 (about 42 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #12 (about 21 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #15 (about 36 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #16 (about 21 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #18 (with effects) (about 1 min. 50 sec.)

This project started out with the small, simple, no-name keyboard. I couldn't make it do much,
so I decided to bend it together with the Sesame Street Elmo phone. By adding a few caps, pots
and switches, I've come up with some interesting sounds!

The "CPX"

Before After (click image to see more)

mp3 Audio Sample #4 (about 22 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #5 (about 1 Min.)
mp3 Audio Sample #6 (about 36 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #8 (about 1 min. 7 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #10 (about 1 min. 10 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #11 (about 1 min. 38 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #13 (with effects) (about 34 sec.)

This one started out as a cheap little toy cell phone from the
Dollar Tree. It was actually sent to me by Brian Frye of the Benders list, who did
one that I liked. Thanks Brian! The box is a "Nautica" wood gift box that a man's wallet came in.
I found it at the Thrift store for a dollar. I ripped out the blue velvet interior, sanded off
the "Nautica" logo, re-stained the top, and painted the inside white.

The "FRANKLINATOR"

Before After (Click on above for more views)

mp3 Audio Sample #1 (about 40 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #2 (about 1 min.)
mp3 Audio Sample #3 (about 30 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #4 (about 30 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #5 (about 1 min.)
mp3 Audio Sample #6 (with effects) (about 1 min.)

The "INKAMEISTER"

Before After (click on above for larger view)

mp3 Audio Sample #1 (about 1 min.)
mp3 Audio Sample #2 (about 40 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #3 (about 30 sec.)
mp3 Audio Sample #4 (about 36 sec.)

The “Inkameister” was my first attempt at circuit bending. I wanted to start out with something
small and simple, and this was perfect. It started out life as a little “Microjammers” toy that I
picked up at the local thrift store for 95 cents. I gave it a new black paint job and made the
following modifications:

Left - Removed speaker to make room for the “body contact” knob.
Top – Added red “kill” switch.
Right – Changed speed knob for a larger, more easily adjustable one.
Added slide switch for “normal” or “glitch” mode.
Back side – Added 1/8” jack for speaker output.

I discovered later, by accident, that the right side of the instrument somehow became light-sensitive!
Shining a bright light on that side changes the audio output completely – and in very weird ways.
One of those amazing happy accidents in the art of bending…

The Inkameister has proven to be a very successful first attempt and produces some very interesting
sounds. I am very happy with the results. Please check out the mp3 audio clips above.

Barkona Rova image