7.03.2007

Circuit Bending

Remember those old speak and spell typewriter toys you used to have? or maybe your old-school gameboy or basically any old toy you used to play with that created a sound? Gather them quick! For in this post, I shall introduce you to the innovative world of Circuit Bending!



Basically, the art of Circuit Bending supposes that you can tweak almost any electronic audio device and transform it into an alternative music synthesizer or instrument. There are a lot of instructional videos out there on the net on exactly how to do this and it's quite simple all you need is the right tools. These experimental devices are then, most of the time, connected to a computer and effects are added using a sequencing software such as Cubase SX or Ableton Live.

There are also extreme instances where circuit benders choose to transform the most unexpected of things into midi-controllers or synthesizers such as driver's license or even irons!



This innovation and evolution of technology emerged from an underground do-it-yourself society that's not affiliated with any of those big corporations or academies. These creative people deserve recognition. This is a manifestation of actual applied knowledge in the field of engineering without the corruption brought about by capitalistic monopoly. In order to breakfree, we must break our dependence and learn to Do It Ourselves!

Reminds me of how the Swat Kats used to turn stuff in the junkyard into weapons and means of transportations. Hmm, well I leave you with this video of children being taught how to circuit bend at such a young age as part of their after school enrichment program. This is the kind of stuff we should have learned in school when we were young. This is the kind of stuff we should be teaching the next generations. Independence and Liberty! The natural desire for experimentation!



Sources:
http://createdigitalmusic.com/tag/circuit-bending/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_bending

2 comments:

thebigflatfootedmonsterwhoeatsveggies said...

Cool! I used to have that same red speak and spell toy and it's still around somewhere in the house along with my childhood toys and stuff. The sounds produced were pretty scary and weird - white noise or possibly some backmasked recording. Anyway, this is exactly my point about how educational systems should be setup in the Philippines, more creative, explorative and freedom to decide which activites are relevant. Sayang, I am not a child or highschooler anymore that I don't get to study in those specialized schools in the US like High-Tech High, funded by the Gates family or those arts schools setup by basketball stars and other famous people in the States.

Oleander said...

sa Japan daw, ganyan ang education. hehehe. So it's not US alone. sana sa pinas may ganyan.