"The X-Synth is a palm-sized alien synthesizer circuit-bent into the Secret Guest Prize for the 10th anniversary Pink Moon Event http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/features/story.aspx?ID=1676997"
"I've been sneaking around Apple's garden for a long time, dating back to the Apple II motherboard hacked into my code-munching poly-synth of the early '80's. I've modded iMacs, towers, endless accessories, and I've drastically bent mac-centric code with wonderful result. This movie loosens another brick in Apple's wall, and opens the iPad's usability tremendously.
I know I'm not the only individual appreciating the experimental music apps available on the iPad. I'm anxious to support the developers' fine work. But for musicians, the iPad's interface can be frustrating. Do you really want to use dongles, mini-jacks and flimsy wire to get in and out of the thing?
This audio breakout solves these problems, is easy to do, and is inexpensive.
No bending here, just a quick, theory-true hack based upon iPad docking charts I found online. Not a superdock. No competition for the Alesis breakout. But if you want a slick, basic and functional DIY audio desk, on the cheap, check this hack out!
"Radio interference, traditionally a problem in audio, can be used to our advantage. By means of the Thereglyph instrument I would like to introduce to circuit-bending a concept I call radiopool.
While Leon's Theremin looks to onboard RF generation and sounds the same played anywhere, immersing a radiopool instrument to various depths within the RF field (the radiopool) yields changing results... similar to differing the length of the air column within a flute.
Here I'm playing the Thereglyph within the radiopool of a plasma globe - sometimes touched, sometimes not. For more info on this instrument and building one yourself, check-out my flickr gallery:
To radio-fy a bent instrument, first try to create an unstable audio circuit.
Benders are familiar with a potentiometer setting that places the circuit at the edge of crash. In this precarious configuration the circuit is very susceptible to interference.
Begin experimenting with RF generators nearby the circuit - a small plasma ball is a strong, but dirty, RF source. Move the ball. Place your hands between the circuit and the RF source. Experiment with adding antennae and metal plates to circuit points. Touch or wave hands nearby these extensions!"
YouTube via classaelectronics | September 09, 2008 |
"Circuit bent SK-1 modified by Diabolical Devices/Class A Electronics."
via this auction "The Diabolical Modified Casio SK-1 (Version 3) is the new and improved circuit-bent glitch monster from Diabolical Devices. Create vast sound-sacapes, unique synth sounds and total chaos, all packed inside your favorite childhood toy. The Casio SK-1 is loaded with original features, sampling capabilities, and great sounds (for what it was....) Diabolical Devices aka Class A Electronics, LLC is a leader in Professionally Modified Synthesizer and Audio Equipment, Expert Repair Services, and has a full line of Hand-Wired Tubes Amplifiers and Effects (Diabolical Amplification). Their work has been featured at NAMM, art galleries, music videos, countless tech blogs, and used by musicians all over the world, professionals and enthusiasts alike. The circuit-bending and synth mods are the work of head-technician James Gramling who has spent the last 12 years in professional audio service and electronics prototyping. Check out the new www.circuit-bent.com for updated specs, custom work questions, and new releases from Diabolical Devices.
Diabolical Modified Casio SK-1 Features:
20 point circuit-bending interface: Heavy-duty banana jacks on hand made turret board panels. This patch-bay allows you to scramble sound data as the synth addresses it, and the result is an endless variety of weird effects, noise, filtered and modulated bends, and one of a kind sounds (seriously, you might one hear some things once). It's a mixed bag of playable bends and bends that play themselves. These patch locations will affect each preset sound differently and also affect samples and chord/auto-play functions. This patch-bay also allows you to cross-patch with other bent devices for more ROM scrambling goodness.
Dual Square Wave Generator: A Diabolical Devices original. This mod allows you to patch the output of two different oscillators into circuit-bending patch locations. One oscillator is an LFO (low freq.), when patched to this point it will create controllable modulation, pulsing bends, and other strange reactions. The second stage is an Audio Frequency Oscillator which will react similarly to the LFO and create tunable overtones. Each Oscillator has an on/off switch with LED indicator, pitch/speed control, and a corresponding patch point.
Skew Bank: This is a great mod adapted from Reed Ghazala's original SK-1 bends, basically its a bank of 5 switches, when activated each switch will generate a different pulsing or semi-looping bend which affects original keyboard sounds. 1/4" Audio Output
Blue Power LED
MIDI retrofit: This SK-1 as been retrofitted using Highly Liquids MIDI Input Kit."
In this episode of Sound Builders, we travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, to meet with Reed Ghazala, the founder and father of circuit bending. Reed takes us into his workshop where we get a glimpse into his world of circuit bending, exploring the history and evolution of this art. Reed bends our minds by walking us through the struggles and triumphs he endured while establishing the art of circuit bending.
“The wires fall upon the circuit like the paint on Pollack’s canvas,” he says, rhapsodically.
We tinker with several of Reed’s machines, manipulating sound and opening our minds to this fascinating art form. He works on a project for Motherboard while explaining the method to this music madness, his process, his teachings, as well as the different inventions he has created over the years.
"The Diabolical Modified Casio SK-1 (Version 3) is the new and improved circuit-bent glitch monster from Diabolical Devices. Create vast sound-sacapes, unique synth sounds and total chaos, all packed inside your favorite childhood toy. The Casio SK-1 is loaded with original features, sampling capabilities, and great sounds (for what it was....) all Diabolical modified SK-s include MIDI retrofit from Highly Liquid which allows you to trigger any of the SK-1's notes via MIDI input, this is great for playing original sounds with larger keyboard or triggering glitched sounds from a machine or sequencer.
Diabolical Devices aka Class A Electronics, LLC is a leader in Professionally Modified Synthesizer and Audio Equipment, Expert Repair Services, and has a full line of Hand-Wired Tubes Amplifiers and Effects (Diabolical Amplification). Their work has been featured at NAMM, art galleries, music videos, countless tech blogs, and used by musicians all over the world, professionals and enthusiasts alike. The circuit-bending and synth mods are the work of head-technician James Gramling who has spent the last 12 years in professional audio service and electronics prototyping. Check out the new www.circuit-bent.com for updated specs, custom work questions, and new releases from Diabolical Devices
Diabolical Modified Casio SK-1 Features:
20 point circuit-bending interface: Heavy-duty banana jacks on hand made turret board panels. This patch-bay allows you to scramble sound data as the synth addresses it, and the result is an endless variety of weird effects, noise, filtered and modulated bends, and one of a kind sounds (seriously, you might one hear some things once). It's a mixed bag of playable bends and bends that play themselves. These patch locations will affect each preset sound differently and also affect samples and chord/auto-play functions. This patch-bay also allows you to cross-patch with other bent devices for more ROM scrambling goodness.
Dual Square Wave Generator: A Diabolical Devices original. This mod allows you to patch the output of two different oscillators into circuit-bending patch locations. One oscillator is an LFO (low freq.), when patched to this point it will create controllable modulation, pulsing bends, and other strange reactions. The second stage is an Audio Frequency Oscillator which will react similarly to the LFO and create tunable overtones. Each Oscillator has an on/off switch with LED indicator, pitch/speed control, and a corresponding patch point.
Skew Bank: This is a great mod adapted from Reed Ghazala's original SK-1 bends, basically its a bank of 5 switches, when activated each switch will generate a different pulsing or semi-looping bend which affects original keyboard sounds.
MIDI INPUT by Highly Liquid (www.highlyliquid.com)
1/4" Audio Output
Blue Power LED"
via this auction Circuit bent Speak & Spells and Speak & Maths are referred to Incators. Via suite101.com where you'll find additional info: "An incantor is the name given to a circuit-bent Speak and Spell or Speak and Math. The name was given by the incantor's inventor, Reed Ghazala. The name originally referred to instruments built by Ghazala, but the term has come to describe any Speak and Spell-type toy modified by circuit-bending. If you're unclear on what circuit-bending is, check out An Introduction to Circuit Bending. Because of their availability and ease of construction, incantors have proved to be one of the most popular circuit-bending projects. Even Mick Jagger has one."
Saturday August 08,2009 At the Experimental Sound Studio 5925 N Ravenswood, Chicago, IL, 773-769-1069 12 noon - 8 PM
Ransom Duets Recording Session 8 PM - 11 PM
Midwest circuit benders and DIY artists will be unloading piles and piles of thrift store treasures like keyboards, Speak and Spells, and oddity kids toys. The sellers will also be demonstrating and selling LoFi Synth prototypes, kits, handmade contact microphones, and completed circuit bent works of art. Bring wads of cash to snag some awesome deals, otherwise this is a great chance to experience circuit bent devices in person and make new friends.
Special Guest, Father of the Circuit Bending movement, Reed Ghazala Reed promises to have for sale some of the best vintage electronic parts available anywhere, like shuttered or polarized pilot lenses, short-throw all-metal reset switches, plus glass deer eyes, classic knobs, signed CDs, historic ephemera and way more. He will also be signing hand-annotated copies of his Circuit Bending: Build Your Own Alien Instruments book. Hope to see you there!
The list of sellers has been finalized to include a wide geographic variety of Midwestern Artists.Last year’s round up from the event can be found here. Music through out the day and the sale is Free to get in.
Sellers: GetLoFi.com/shop - Alex Dyba ( IA ) Roth Mobot - Patrick McCarthy ( IL ) Roth Mobot - Tommy Stephenson ( IL ) Creme Dementia - Austin Cliffe ( IL ) Thejunkyard Catalyst - Karl ( OH ) Spunky Toofers - Daniel Park ( MO ) Properboy - Steve Stoll ( IN ) Pelzwik - Nick Heimer ( MN ) Datura 1.0 - Matt Cisler ( MN ) Mike Una - ( IL )
Later in the evening we will be pulling names out of a hat and conducting a series of brief duets to be professionally recorded at the studio. So stick around for what will undoubtedly be one of the best FREE shows in Chicago that night!
Not the best shot. Anyone know more about these? From the auction: "This is a rare one -- analog drum machine, reverb (very cool), organ, organ bass, auto accompinament, and tweakable monosynth playable all at once or individually."
Update via funky toofers in the comments:
"i borrowed on for a short while from reed ghazala's weird instrument collection..
it's probally similiar to the russian em-25 synth.. it's a preset machine with alot of unusual timbres.. not a whole ton of control but enough to do some interesting modulations and variations on the timbres. definately a nice synth/organ polyphonic analog..
in the short time i borrowed it i recorded a short piece in collaboration with my friend nebulagirl
Sad Melody by Sonitus Intortus
YouTube via Nebulagirl
'Sonitus Intortus sound, accompanied by Sad Sad Powerlines'
the beginning opens up with one of the sounds of the conn in pair with nebulagirl's homemade theremin. also used a sound called space junk.. and some other to do some background figures. the other sounds are some mfb synth 2. with the main background figure by a casio sk-1 sampler."
"Ralph Baer created the first home console system: The Magnavox Odyssey" synth content comes in at 3:50. a bit of circuit bending actually. Note Reed Ghazala is credited as the father of circuit bending, discovering the technique back in 1966.
YouTube via SonofCastille "Well, special thanks to Reed Ghazala, who sent me some really killer cold war era military surplus lamps. The big one says BEAM READY, and the smaller one has the atomic symbol, hence the name. Enjoy"
Just want to let everyone know about a very special upcoming Be-In Event hosted by Reed Ghazala ( Father of Circuit Bending ) in Ohio next month (Sunday Sept 7th). The location is a beautiful camp ground close to Cincinnati. There will be music, trading, camping, and good times to be had by all.
Reed doesn't make very many public appearances, so this will be very special Gathering Of the Tribe as he calls it. All circuit benders, musicians, Experimental Artists, and onlookers are welcome. Please help to spread the word.
"Long coming, here's a finalized version of my Magnetic Patch Bay on the Fractal Oscillator prototype that I published last spring/winter (2007). Click on this photo and the rest, in order, to get the story..."
"Here's a Yamaha PSS-6, circuit-bent, and with my magnetic patch bay added on the rear panel. The idea goes back to when I used magnets to hold a wire in place, bridging the 2 body contacts on my first bent synth (the Odor Box, c. 1967) so I could adjust the other controls (freeing my hands from the contacts). This patch system opens up lots of great alternatives for signal routing and mixing..."
Title link takes you to the flickr set by moonbear3325 aka Reed Ghazala, the Father of Circuit Bending.
Thought this one looked particularly nice. No title link, just the shot and details pulled via this auction.
Details: This auction is for a heavily modified Casio SK-1 keyboard. This keyboard has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years due to how well it lends itself to circuit bending. Some might say the SK-1 is almost considered a staple in any benders collection. I originally purchased and modified this board to use myself, but have recently grown more interested in building synths from the ground up, so I am selling this instrument to raise some money for more projects.
If you are familiar with circuit bending, you are probably familiar with the SK-1. This keyboard contains the following modifications:
-18 toggle switches to control bends (contains most "standard" bends, you know, the "tablebeast" and "ghazala" bends) -3 knobs (one controls pitch, two control bends) -1/4" Audio out jack (for simpler compatibility with standard pro audio gear) -DB-25 connector for external patch bay (connect to patch bay such as those from highlyliquid.com, or if your soldering skills are up to snuff, create your own unique controller) -MIDI IN kit from highlyliquid.com (control the SK-1 from your computer or other MIDI controller) -Fresh coat of glossy red paint (looks great next to your Nord Lead, and don't worry, none of the original control legend is painted over.)
SK-1's with MIDI capability don't seem to come up for sale too often, so if you're in the market for a new instrument to add some character to your MIDI studio, this may be the thing for you.
One last thing, if you follow the whole circuit bending "scene", you're probably familiar with the sound these things can make, but here's a quick sample for you. (it's just the sk-1 recorded and sequenced with MIDI thru cubase LE)"
Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
Details: "DAVE BARNES AKA SLAPSTIX 'BABEL BOX'. THIS AMAZING PURPLE BEAUTY IS IN PERFECT NEW CONDITION. VERY GHAZALA ART FANTASY FINISH & ENDLESS ARRAY OF ELECTRONIC PULSES, DRUM MACHINE LIKE LOOPS, DRONES, GIBBERISH, SINGING, VIDEO GAME NOISES, R2-D2 LOVE SONGS, PHENOME YODELINGS, AND MORE..."
"This Short/Preview for the Circuit Bending Documentary by Derek Sajbel (http://absurdity.biz) features Q.R. Ghazala, Nebula Girl, The Shinths, Daedelus, Dave Wright, Cynthia and music by Venetian Snares"
YouTube via DrRek. Sent my way via FreakyFreeFrancis. Cynthia makes an appearance along with some modulars.
"I've been sneaking around Apple's garden for a long time, dating back to the Apple II motherboard hacked into my code-munching poly-synth of the early '80's. I've modded iMacs, towers, endless accessories, and I've drastically bent mac-centric code with wonderful result. This movie loosens another brick in Apple's wall, and opens the iPad's usability tremendously.
I know I'm not the only individual appreciating the experimental music apps available on the iPad. I'm anxious to support the developers' fine work. But for musicians, the iPad's interface can be frustrating. Do you really want to use dongles, mini-jacks and flimsy wire to get in and out of the thing?
The breakout board is available at kineteka.com
"Thereglyph With Plasma Globe
via this auction
via this auction
You can learn how to make one in this Make: article by Reed Ghazala. 
via GetLoFi where you'll find the full details.
via Circuit Master of GetLoFi:
"Long coming, here's a finalized version of my Magnetic Patch Bay on the Fractal Oscillator prototype that I published last spring/winter (2007). Click on this photo and the rest, in order, to get the story..."
Title link takes you to the flickr set by moonbear3325 aka Reed Ghazala, the Father of Circuit Bending.
Thought this one looked particularly nice. No title link, just the shot and details pulled via this auction.
Title link takes you to shots pulled via this auction.
