View source for Circuit bending

{{Short description|Modification of an electronic device to create an instrument}}{{Multiple issues|{{Original research|date=May 2008}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025|cs1-dates=y}}
{{Use list-defined references|date=January 2022}}
[[File:Bending.jpg|thumb|Probing for "bends" using a jeweler's screwdriver and alligator clips]]
'''Circuit bending''' is the creative customization of the circuits within electronic devices such as children's [[toy]]s and [[digital synthesizer]]s to create new musical or visual instruments and sound generators. Circuit bending is manipulating a circuit to get an output that was not intended by the manufacturer.

Emphasizing spontaneity and randomness, the techniques of circuit bending have been commonly associated with [[noise music]], though many more conventional contemporary musicians and musical groups have been known to experiment with "bent" instruments. Circuit bending usually involves dismantling the machine and adding components such as switches and [[potentiometer]]s that alter the circuit.

== Experimental process ==
{{More citations needed section|date=June 2019}}
[[File:Circuit-1.png|thumb|A circuit-bent [[Walkman]]]]
[[Image:1989 Kawasaki Electronic Digital Guitar by Remco circuit bend 2.jpg|thumb|right|A 1989 Kawasaki toy guitar used in a [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFsA5b9rCdk circuit bending project]]]
The process of circuit bending involves experimenting with inexpensive second-hand electronics that produce sounds, such as toys, keyboards, [[drum machine]]s, and electronic learning products.<ref name="Mirapaul">{{cite news |last1=Mirapaul |first1=Matthew |title=Circuit Benders Unlock the Long Riffs in Short-Circuits |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_bending |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=8 April 2004}}</ref>

[[File:Yamaha PSR-6 circuit bended @ Dorkbot Helsinki 2007.jpg|thumb|right|A Yamaha PSR-6 used in a circuit bending project]]

== Innovators==
While Ghazala says that he was not the first circuit bender, he coined the term Circuit Bending in 1992.<ref name="Deahl_2018"/>

[[Serge Tcherepnin]], designer of the [[Serge modular synthesizer]]s, discussed<ref name="Vail_2000"/> his early experiments in the 1950s, with the [[transistor radio]], in which he found sensitive circuit points in those simple electronic devices and brought them out to "body contacts" on the plastic chassis. Prior to Mark's and Reed's experiments other pioneers also explored the body-contact idea, one of the earliest being [[Thaddeus Cahill]] (1897) whose [[telharmonium]], it is reported, was also touch-sensitive.

Since 1984, Swiss duo [[Voice Crack]] created music by manipulating common electronic devices in a practice they termed "cracked everyday electronics".<ref name="Paris_2008"/>

== See also ==
[[Image:Kraakdoos (Cracklebox).jpg|thumb|[[Kraakdoos]]]]
* [[Atari Punk Console]]
* [[Chiptunes]]
* [[Data bending]]
* [[Electronic art music]]
* [[Glitch (music)]]
* [[Glitching]]
* [[Kraakdoos]] (CrackleBox)
* [[MIDIbox]]
* [[MOS Technology SID]]
* [[Music Tech Fest]]
* [[NIME]]
* [[No-Fi]]
* [[Noise music]]
* [[List of music software]]

== References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name="Deahl_2018">{{cite web |title=Hacking a Furby in the name of music |author-last=Deahl |author-first=Dani |date=2018-09-14 |website=[[The Verge]] |language=en |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/9/14/17844906/circuit-bending-hacking-a-furby-in-the-name-of-music |access-date=2020-07-11}}</ref>
<ref name="Vail_2000">{{cite book |title=Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology |author-last=Vail |author-first=Mark |publisher=Backbeat Books |edition=2.00 |date=2000-03-15}}</ref>
<ref name="Paris_2008">{{cite web |title=YULE 2008 |url=http://www.paristransatlantic.com/magazine/monthly2008/12dec_text.html#3 |access-date=2015-06-03}}</ref>
}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite web |title=Circuit-Bending and DIY Culture |author-first1=Alexandre Marino |author-last1=Fernandez |author-first2=Fernando |author-last2=Iazzetta |url=http://scribd.com/doc/89212547/Circuit-bending-and-the-DIY-Culture |access-date=2022-01-04}}
* {{cite magazine |title=Floppy-Symphonie |language=de |author-first=Philip |author-last=Steffan |department=Bastelprojekt |magazine=c't Hacks |publisher=[[Heise Zeitschriften Verlag]] |issue=1 |volume=2014 |date=2014 |pages=149 |url=https://maker-faire.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Musik-mit-Floppies.pdf |access-date=2022-01-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101174337/https://maker-faire.de/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Musik-mit-Floppies.pdf |archive-date=2022-01-01}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.oddmusic.com/illogic/index.html oddmusic.com's circuit bending section] – Gallery of some of Reed Ghazala's work, facts, history, tutorial, benders guide, tools of the trade and more
* [http://www.getlofi.com GetLoFi] a circuit bending blog with a lot of circuit bending tips and resources
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110831142946/http://tv.sonicstate.com/play.php?vid=155 Interview on Circuit Bending with Igor Amokian Part I]

{{Experimental music genres}}
{{DIY Culture in Electronic Music}}
{{Chiptune-footer}}

[[Category:Electronics and society]]
[[Category:Electronic musical instruments]]
[[Category:DIY culture]]
[[Category:Underground culture]]