X1L3 - circuit bent - synth mod - Casio PT100

Published on May 23, 2013 manufacturedZ3R0·93 videos

"Commission job for Circuit Ben.

Same spec as the Yamaha PSS130 i built recently. Didn't have a lot of time to film it as i wanted to get it off in the post on the day but here's a run through using all the oscillator sources and some lfo combinations."

M-Z3R0 on eBay (RSS)

Circuit Bent Justin Bieber Keytar (Work in Progress).

Published on Mar 2, 2013 Circuit Ben·93 videos

"BBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBy"

Gameboy Nanoloop sync from CMOS clock

Published on Jan 5, 2013 lazenbleep·35 videos

"Syncing Nanoloop 1.3 to CMOS clock. Clock gen is my anticlock machine , currently in use in my robot cotume.
Schematics on http://haha-fresh.blogspot.co.uk/
Cheers to circuit ben and gij gieskes:#"

Folktek Circuit Bent Suzuki Omnichord OM-27

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"PMC (Big Pauper Modified Circuitry) Presents:

FOLKTEK MODIFIED OM27 OMNICHORD w/ case, power supply & manual.

This is a rare OM27 Omnichord by Ben Houston of Folktek. Ben dosn't seem to do many OM27s any more, just the 84s and I prefer the glitch functions of the OM27 to the 84 personally, great options for lo-fi ambient music. So I present to you a fairly rare item in excellent shape.

CONDITION:

This Omnichord has seen 2 years of light studio use and has never been gigged. It's physical condition is terrific. Original function of this machine is intact.

GLITCH FUNCTIONALITY:

Check out the video below for a hands on demo.

The glitch functionality Ben has added includes hands-on pitch down, fixed pitch down/up, 4 shred/tonal shaping contacts, individual note control, an amp section. All built utilizing a lovely one of a kind etched copper interface.

SHIPPING IS FREE WITHIN THE US.

This device was made to last. It has been tightly assembled, designed with thought and built with solid parts."


Uploaded by benpumpkin on Jun 3, 2008

"Omnichord modified by Ben Houston. Check out Folktek.com and ariusblaze.com"

2012 Circuit Benders Ball Nashville on Kickstarter

"The Circuit Benders’ Ball is a daylong symposium dedicated to the art of the bend, taking place on Saturday, September, 29th. It will feature two stages, over a dozen performers, an interactive art gallery, and workshops. Workshops 10am-7pm. Music 8pm-1am. Our inspirations are the multi-city Bent Festival, The Fuse Factory in Columbus, OH, the eSymposium in Chicago, Illinois, and, of course, Reed Ghazala, the father of circuit-bending!

We have invited circuit bent artists from Tennessee and beyond to perform and lead electronic workshops. The afternoon workshops are open to all ages and all levels of experience. In the evening, experimental musicians and sound artists will perform with circuit bent instruments, custom-made electronics, and/or battery-powered electronic devices. Genres will range from ambient soundscapes to aleatoric noise to EDM influenced grooves.

So: if you are into (or merely curious about) experimental music, making, electronics, art, DIY, hacking, and sonic mayhem, this event is for you!

The all-day event will take place on Saturday, September 29th, 2012 at Brick Factory Nashville, a hackerspace, community workshop, educational facility, art gallery, and performance space.

Performers

Roth Mobot - Chicago
Blight Side of Life - Nashville
Brain Lesion - Murfreesboro, TN
Elegant Bassterds (Ben Marcantel and Derek Schartung) - Nashville
Josh Gumiela, Kelli Shay Hix, Lucas McCallister - Nashville
Hadals - Nashville, TN / Montgomery, AL
Joey Molinaro - New York City
Nashville Robotic Philharmonic - DeKalb, IL
Pimpdaddysupreme - Nashville
Pineapple Explode - Nashville
Posttaste - Nashville
Teletron Orchestra - Nashville / Murfreesboro

Workshops

Chip to be Square: Build Your Own Synth w/ Josh Gumiela. 10am - 1pm
Intro to Circuit Bending w/ Roth Mobot. 2pm-5pm
Build a Buckawatt Bent Boost Kit w/ Zach Adams. 5:30pm-7pm

We Can't Do This Without You!

The CBB is a nonprofit festival. The staff volunteer their time and energy with no monetary compensation. In order to attract the best and brightest in the Circuit Bending community from all over the United States, we need your financial support. All donations will go toward artist compensation, advertising, set decoration, and workshop materials. The more donations we generate, the bigger and better the festival! Show your support by donating!"

via Dylan Simon on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

Ben,s sound box thingymagig

YouTube Published on Aug 11, 2012 by Ben Francis

"This is a short vid, of a project, i have been working on. It still needs some tweaking, as you can see the top is not secured. Its basically a box, with a shelf, with holes drilled in, then copper poles, intertwined underneath. I then made a simple circuit, with a mic and amp, and jack output, this then can be plugged into the mixer, I added alittle reverb, But well happy. will post pics of finished project soon."

via Ben Francis on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge
"This is my take on the folktek luminist garden, It needs a little tweaking, like the lid securing, any way sounds great!"

And another one of Ben's creations in the works:

Bens DIY SYNTH modulator and sequencer, with a patchbay-Unfinished

Published on Aug 11, 2012 by Ben Francis

"I have been working on lots of inventions lately, this being one, Its my first fully working unit, It needs a nice flashy housing, to sit in. Its very flexible"

Circuit Bent Timex 80 Stasis Capsule by freeform delusion

YouTube Uploaded by eecouk on Feb 21, 2012

freeform-delusion on eBay

"Timex 80 Stasis Capsule - Shaved the dolls hair off and applied white insulation tape for the top & skirt.
I've also put a Rainbow LED round her neck, Red LED on her tummy, Green LED right wrist and Blue LED left wrist. These light up when you press the vital signs buttons which trigger the sounds.

Here are the Ben 10 mods:
switched 1/4inch jack output
4 momentary buttons for each sound
Pitch (speed) Up/Down Control
Red On/Off switch for the 4 way rotary sound selector.
Ben 10 sound FX circuit inside for some great Sci-fi sounds"

Crazy Box

YouTube Uploaded by ElbowPatches1 on Dec 17, 2011

"The crazy box has 10 inputs and 10 outputs, which in this video go out to 10 amplifiers. A photoresistor on each channel controls the signal levels. This is why the audio levels rises when the room lights are turned on. In other words, the more light, the louder the sound. Circuit bent devices are plugged into the 10 inputs. With the room lights off, you can use a flashlight to turn up the levels on individual channels. Videography be Andy Ben."

sympleSEQ Now Available

You might remember sympleSEQ from this previous post. Hex Inverter wrote in to let us know their IndieGoGo funding blew past their goal and they are now in production. They also made some significant updates to the feature set.

"What am I talking about? Well, the original concept was VERY minimalistic. There was nothing other than tempo, gate out and CV output. Through the discussion had with members on the forums where this was being developed, people requested pause/reset functionality be included as well. Using a very small amount of components and some trickery, I was able to achieve this -- so now sympleSEQ also boasts the option of adding reset/pause functionality!

Possibly best of all is that I had a panel artist come to me who wants to make panels for everyone!

I have a limited number of kits left in stock, but plenty of bare circuit boards for people. There is a well documented assembly manual for people as well.

sympleSEQ can be found/purchased at: http://shop.hexinverter.net

Panels will be available soon from Ben at: http://www.resynthesis.co.uk

Here is the build manual"


Below is a video of sympleSEQ with a Benjolin.



Benjolin Meets sympleSEQ -- a sequenced analog synthesis jam
YouTube Uploaded by hexinverterDOTnet on Dec 5, 2011

"Rob Hordyk's amazing Benjolin meets hexinverter.net's sympleSEQ for a little jam before they get enclosed in their final enclosure.

Here I am driving the two oscillators and the onboard filter at different times with sympleSEQ, as well as just noodling away on the Benjolin.

sympleSEQ is an easy to make 8-step analog step-sequencer. It utilizes board-mount components and a unique dual PCB design, making it simple to create an analog sequencer for driving your voltage controlled synthesizer gear or circuit bent toys with. It is particularly suited to lo-fi artists due to the low feature set (and thus complexity). It is also very economical to build compared to any other sequencer on the market.

sympleSEQ can be driven by a wide range of voltages (9-15V DC) and thus is highly portable.

Kits, PCBs and more information about sympleSEQ can be found at:

http://shop.hexinverter.net"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2011 Circuit Bent Creature Features Intro

YouTube Uploaded by AMOKIAN on Oct 31, 2011

"Igor Amokian's CIRCUIT BENT CREATURE FEATURE intro!
Feat: Igor Amokian, Andy Ben & Skyline Electric
Happy Halloween Everyone!!!!
Enjoy the vids!!!! ughahahhaghah!!"

Follow-up to this post.

Folktek "Bug" synthesizer - Magnetic patchable glitch Bent Circuit

via this auction
"The Bug By Ben Houston .

This custom piece is part of a folktek series entitled "philanthropoid"". Known simply as the Bug series. Also in the series on the site and around the world is the Mantis, dronescape sequencer,the book of sound, the moth, the growling insect, the bug, the octa-hedra, walking stick, pendulum translator and others. The sound is phenomenol and continues to amaze us. It is a sonic symphony of nasty and grimy sweetness, endless layers of sound possibilities emenating from High quality OSC originally based on high tech speech synthesis. Seemingly random bits can be rediscovered time and time again and then there are those moments that you will most likely never rediscover. Endlessly captivating, this piece WILL provide sounds that you will not find in other synthesizers and will astonish you every time you turn it on.

This particular piece features four patchable knobs, and a twelve point magnetic patchbay. This allows you to determine function and provides tons of flexibility. In addition, two more knobs (global knob control and power kill) , glowing lamp power indicator , 2 folktek button/switches for activate and freeze mode sections, reset, 1/4" output, basic manual of function and layout. You'll be able to cipher through waveforms and textures with extreme sensitivity in thousands of ways. Waveforms (individual, or multiple layers) can be captured and maintained, often intermodulating in beautiful and/or disturbing ways. Super sensitive knobs let you filter through tons of sounds and glitchscapes. Housed in antique oak finger jointed hardwood box. Albums are waiting to be created here as the sound is quite different from anything else you'll find..

Includes DC adaptor"

Andy Ben Circuit Bent solo w/ Skyline Electric

YouTube Uploaded by AMOKIAN on Aug 30, 2011
"Andy Ben circuit bent solo with Skyline Electric"

The Fritz Control Surface

YouTube Uploaded by TokenRecluse on Aug 8, 2011
via this auction

Playlist:
Fritz Control Surface Basic Overview (Circuit Bent Video)
The Fritz Control Surface (circuit bent tonal shaping)
Brad Hamers - "fourty&eight" (spoken word)
The Folktek Collection for Kontakt 4 (Demo)

via this auction
"The Fritz Control Surface.
A circuit bent FX processing device.
by Big Pauper.


The Fritz Control Surface is a grimy and glitchy circuit bent video effects box . This device is capable of taking whatever composite (RCA) video footage you feed it and mangling it in a variety of noisy, disruptive and antisocial manners. It has a surprisingly wide array of different effects. It has ten knob based effects, three buttons that produce wild graphical noise and a patchable six-point sound-impulse based tonal manipulation section (put simply, music messes with colors). It is an incredibly stable series of bends perfect for producing dismal satellite transmissions, blocky 8-bit crap-scapes and vibrant lo-fi color drones. It is one of those beasts that the more I sit down with it the more new and weird effect combinations I discover. Just check out some of the videos. It was built in to a nice old vintage box with a healthy dose of rusty imperfect charm.

This device is perfect for:
Adding a unique look to your indie tv/film/event production.
Providing you with a variety of effects you can't get with After Effects.
Chaining in with your VJ visuals set-up.
Making lo-fi ambient videos.
Remixing episodes of Golden Girls.
Re-scrambling porno (for that teenage nostalgia).


This device is not perfect for:
Dancing with the Stars.

I built this device to employ in a number of visual arts projects I was working on (including work with Folktek). I am running a bit low on cash right now and have decided to sell it and a couple of my other creations (check my other auctions for more circuit bent visual devices). A good incentive to make more anyways.


This device was made to last. Although a device of this nature is fragile by design I have gone through great lengths to ensure that this device, although comprised of vintage and antique components, stands the test of time. It has been tightly assembled, designed with thought and built with solid parts. Should any technical issues arise in the first six months of ownership I am happy to service it for free (as long as it is not malfunctioning is a result of owner abuses). After that I am still happy to service it however buyer pays shipping both ways. The only known issue is that one of the old glitch switches is a little sticky.

Note: While this device does create cool and unusual effects without a time based correction unit, in order for some of the effects to display properly I recommend the use of one. For more check out this site: http://karlklomp.nl/inf/faq.html

Note: Although I am associated with Folktek as a visual artist/sound designer, this work is unaffiliated from the work of Ben, Arius & Folktek in general.

Note: You really have to crank incoming audio to see visualizations. Just the nature of the beast."

Circuit Bent WJ-Ave3 w/ Control Box

YouTube Uploaded by TokenRecluse on Apr 19, 2011

via this auction

Playlist:
Big Pauper - The Stale Breath of 1000 Lucrative Club Bangers
Circuit Bent WJ-Ave3 w/ Control Box (circuit bent video)
Video feedback and a WJ-ave3 (real quick)
Big Spider's Back - Black Chow


via this auction
"Modified WJ-Ave3 video effects processor. w/ Control box, a hand crafted manual & ten patch cables.

Expanding upon the design of Karl Klomp this WJ-ave3 is the ultimate live glitch visual production tool. Every professional VJ should have one of these in their arsenal. As far as bending goes these things are like the SK1 of video world. It has an amazing way of fragmenting, fractalizing and freaking whatever video you process through it. It can take any incoming audio and (if loud enough) profoundly glitch the visuals in a variety of unique ways.. all in real-time. Just take a look at the videos below. I built a control box with a number of body contacts and potentiometers, all patchable for added control. My modified WJ has 9 glitch ports, 5 ports for the audio signal (one with it's own independent wet/dry knob), 4 patchable body contacts, 4 patchable potentiometers and also functions perfectly in it's original unmodified state. Functions as a glitch beast both with incoming audio and without. The physical condition of this unit is terrific as well!

This device is perfect for:
Adding a unique look to your indie tv/film/event production.
Providing you with a variety of effects you can't get with After Effects.
Using for live professional VJ work .
Making dubstep music videos.
Remixing episodes of Step By Step.
Inducing epilepsy.

This device is not perfect for:
America's Next Top Model.

I built this device to employ in a number of visual arts projects I was working on (a couple posted below). I am running a bit low on cash right now and have decided to sell it and a couple of my other creations (check my other auctions for more circuit bent visual devices). A good incentive to make more anyways.

This device was made to last. Although a device of this nature is fragile by design I have gone through great lengths to ensure that this device stands the test of time. It has been tightly assembled, designed with thought and built with solid parts.

Note: You really have to crank incoming audio to see visualizations. Just the nature of the beast.

Note: Although I am associated with Folktek as a visual artist/sound designer, this work is unaffiliated from the work of Ben, Arius & Folktek."

The Benjolin - First Sound

YouTube via e7ektro | February 05, 2011 | 0 likes, 0 dislikes

"Info about the Benjolin can be found at http://web.me.com/klangbureau/DIY/Ben...

I ordered the SSM2164 (Low Cost Quad Voltage Controlled Amplifier) in Hong Kong. You can see the mail envelope in the video. I built two Benjolins. I plan to build a double Benjolin light synth like the one of Pete Edwards from Casperelectronics. But that may take some time."

"The Benjolin is a ‘noise box’ that is ‘bent by design’, meaning that it always has a definite amount of unpredictability while it is still intuitive to play. The Benjolin features two eighteen-octave range voltage controlled oscillators that drive a ‘rungler’ circuit, circuitry that in essence uses a special interference technique feeding back into the oscillators to force them into wild chaotic behaviour.


A special slightly chaotic filter is both excited and modulated by the signals from the rungler circuitry processes, producing sounds between fat drones to grungy noise havoc. The kit is somewhat more challenging to build compared to the Zeitgeist, but with a little patience and accuracy a beginner in DIY can definitely build it successfully."

electro-music 2010

"The electro-music festival, known as the "Woodstock of electronic music," is the world's premiere event for experimental electronic music. This year's event features three mind-bending days of innovative electronic music concerts, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, jam sessions, video art, a laptop battle, and a swap-meet. Action starts at 12 noon on Friday, September 10 and runs until after midnight on September 12. Musical activities will be running continuously throughout the three days of the festival.

electro-music 2010 takes place at the Greenkill Retreat Center in Huguenot, New York. On-site lodging and meals are available. Tickets range from $25 for a single day to $325 for a 3-day pass including meals and lodging.

More information, including a complete schedule of events can be found on the web site at:
http://event.electro-music.com/
You may also contact us at
event@electro-music.com

A wide variety of instruments and musical styles will be represented, ranging from theremin to analog modular synthesizers to home made devices, from classic space music to abstract electronica to world beats.

The following artists will be performing:
Abuse Tactics
Acoustic Interloper
Aether Generator
Azimuth Visuals

CLICK FOR MORE »

circuit bent omnichord om-36

YouTube via a501xul — May 05, 2010 — "the omnichord is a great circuit bending device. this one is still work in progress.

thanks to joker nies and ben of folktek I could find some nice bends. 22 of 52 body contacts still need a connection...

sorry about the bad audio quality."

Circuit Ben's Romeo and Juliet drum/osc synth Bent

via this auction
"This is a cmos4093 synth, fed into a toy drum machine, causing the oscillators to have a much more extensive range of tones, each oscillator is patched trough a rotary switch, allowing multiple combinations to occur. If you like your noise harsh and grinding, yet constantly evolving, then this is the synth for you.

I housed all the electronics in a "romeo and juliet" cigar box, it had a rather romantic scene on the inside, so I used transparent perspex for the front, so it's visible while you're playing, and under-lit the scene with a diffused bright Pink L.E.D.

Features -

Four Rotary Dials to direct the signals into the circuit. (switched)- each with a custom designed cover - the only four in existence.

Four intensity dials on the left, to adjust the interaction of the drums.

Four dials to play with the oscillators themselves on the right hand side.

Clock tweak knob on the front, to further confuse the toy, or sometimes crash it completely, giving access to the circuit as it's own oscillator.

A large smattering of Rhinestones, inside and out - to confuse and dazzle.

1/4" output jack, for the making of the loud."

Note: I added a wrongbot on Ebay link to the right section as well. See his auctions for other items.

Circuit Ben's Yada + Mario sampling synth Bent

via this auction

"So, this synth is composed of a pitchable voice recorder, and pitchable Mario Bros noise generator.


This means you can record anything you like, including the mario noises, into the recorder - (up to a long, long time, I haven't measured it, but it's ages.) and play them back on a loop. It works with passive signals like guitars, as well as active ones.

The idea for the voice recorder came from getlofi.com. go there, and then tell your friends about it.

Here's the features -

Input jack for voice recorder is a switching one, so the microphone is automatically by-passed when using another instrument.

All the famous Super-Mario noises from the N.E.S, including the lovely coin chime :)

Record speed as well as playback on the voice recorder are both pitched, therefore it can record for ages and playback for a very short time, and vice versa.

Super Mario side can either be patched directly into your mixing desk, or used as an input for the recorder, providing ultra-ultra low mario noise.

Built into a lovely cigar-box.

Nice ultra-bright blue L.E.D signals when recording is taking place - when recording speed is ultra-slow, it can take a while to commence."

electro-music 2009

The electro-music festival, known as the "Woodstock of electronic music," is the world's premiere event for experimental electronic music. This year's event features three mind-bending days of innovative electronic music concerts, seminars, workshops, demonstrations, jam sessions, video art, a laptop battle, and a swap-meet. Action starts at 12 noon on Thursday, October 29 and runs until after midnight on October 31. Musical activities will be running continuously throughout the three days of the festival.

electro-music 2009 takes place at the Star Lake Camp in Bloomingdale, New Jersey. This year, on-site lodging and meals are available. Tickets range from $22 for a single day to $220 for a 3-day pass including meals and lodging. Tickets that include food or lodging must be reserved by October 15.

More information, including a complete schedule of events can be found on the web site at:
http://event.electro-music.com/
You may also contact us at
event *at* electro-music.com

A wide variety of instruments and musical styles will be represented, ranging from theremin to analog modular synthesizers to home made devices, from classic space music to abstract electronica to world beats.


The following artists will be performing:
1undread
Ace Paradise
Acoustic Interloper
Alphacore
Azimuth Visuals
Jonathan Block
Brainstatik
Casperelectronics
Delicate Monster
Dewanatron
dRachEmUsiK
Dubathonic
Duet for Theremin and Lap Steel
Earthgirl
FULCRUM
Hong - GuZheng
In The Loop
Steve Jolliffe
kataStatik
Kingdom of Sharks
Kevin Kissinger
Klimchak
Andrew Koenig
Kribophoric
Richard Lainhart
Lonely Robot Audio presents MUS EXCELSIOR
Mayakara
Terrence McManus
The Megadrives
Kurt Michaels
Logan Mitchell
Modulator ESP
Shane Morris
MyOwnYoko
NEOREV
Joker Nies
Northern Valentine
Project Ruori
RDK
Ricochet Gathering
safe 2
Siebert and Lepre
Don Slepian
Spinning Plates
SPITZNAGEL
State Machine

CLICK FOR MORE »