Handmade Analog Distortion/Modulation Music Box

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated. Published on Mar 31, 2013 Kyle Evans·107 videos


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"This is a handmade circuitbent sounding distortion/modulation sound processor that will distort, modulate and rip apart any sound you throw into it, all housed within an old music box found at a thrift store. In addition to it beaing able to process anything you want including microphones, guitars, synths, etc., it also has an internal contact microphone that can be switched on. This internal mic picks up vibrations on the box itself including taps, scratches, and of course, the tune of the windup music player. The modulation is controlled by 3 light mounted to the exposed circuit board. Altering the light using shadows, flashlights, lighters and strobes makes for radical modulation craziness of whatever sound you are processing. The possibilities of what you can do with this thing are endless. Plug your iPod into the input and tear up some classical music. Play it like a drum or hold up resonating metal objects to make the internal mic go berserk. Play with dynamic lighting like strobe lights or camera flashes for dramatic results. Hold the box up against a speaker for some screaming feedback. The more you play with it, the more you learn about what all it is capable of.
The music box has been completely customized with added wood panels and a clear acrylic top. Has quite a few scratches and chips on the box, but thats because its old and was found in this condition (thats what makes it beautiful). Wind up music player starts playing when the lid is lifted. Runs on a 9v battery. Box is signed by the artist.

Controls:
The two 1/4" plugs on top are the output (top) and input (lower). The knob next to these controls the output volume.
The red switch has 3 settings; up for the internal contact mic, down for the external input, and center for off. You can switch rapidly between external input and internal mic for cool effect.
The knob next to the switch is a kind of gate threshold adjustment. Turning it down only allows the loudest sounds to pass through, while cranking it all the way up lets everything flood through.
The circuit board is exposed incase anyone would be interested on modding, bending or copying the circuit (feel free!)
3 light sensors on the circuit board control the modulation pitches"