Description

Course Goal: To provide a comprehensive and in-depth education on the art and science of circuit bending, from foundational electronics to advanced techniques and creative applications. This course aims to empower individuals to confidently explore the hidden sonic potential within electronic devices.

Target Audience: Beginners with little to no electronics experience, musicians, sound designers, artists, hackers, and anyone curious about the inner workings of sound-producing electronics and the creative possibilities of intentional malfunction.

Course Structure: This course is divided into multiple modules, each containing several lessons with theoretical explanations, practical exercises, visual aids, and suggested projects.

Module 1: Introduction to Circuit Bending – The Art of Accidental Innovation

• Lesson 1.1: What is Circuit Bending?
  • Defining circuit bending: Intentional short-circuiting and modification of low-voltage electronic devices to create new and unexpected sounds.
  • The history of circuit bending: Tracing its origins and key figures.
  • The philosophy of circuit bending: Embracing experimentation, embracing failure, and finding beauty in the unexpected.
  • Examples of circuit-bent instruments and their unique sounds.
  • Ethical considerations in circuit bending (respecting the original device, safety).
• Lesson 1.2: Why Circuit Bend? Creative and Practical Applications
  • Generating unique and unconventional sounds for music production.
  • Creating custom sound effects for film, games, and other media.
  • Building unique and expressive musical instruments.
  • Exploring the sonic textures and inherent characteristics of electronic devices.
  • Educational value: Learning about electronics through hands-on experimentation.
  • Artistic expression and pushing creative boundaries.

Course Content as follows:

• Lesson 1.3: Getting Started – Essential Tools and Safety Precautions
  • The basic toolkit: Screwdrivers, multimeter, wire strippers, soldering iron and solder, alligator clips, headphones, small speaker.
  • Advanced tools (optional but recommended later): Oscilloscope, logic probe, breadboard, jumper wires, potentiometers, switches, capacitors, resistors.
  • Safety first: Understanding low voltage, battery safety, avoiding mains power, proper soldering techniques, ventilation.
  • Identifying suitable candidates for bending: Battery-powered toys, keyboards, drum machines, effects pedals (with caution).
  • Devices to avoid (initially): Mains-powered devices, high-voltage circuits, devices with valuable or irreplaceable components.
• Lesson 1.4: Understanding Basic Electronics for Benders
  • Voltage, current, and resistance: The fundamental concepts.
  • Basic circuit elements: Resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, integrated circuits (ICs).
  • Series and parallel circuits: How components are connected.
  • Power sources: Batteries (types, voltage, polarity), low-voltage power adapters.
  • Signal flow: How sound is generated and processed within a device.
  • Introduction to schematics (basic understanding).
• Lesson 1.5: Identifying Potential Bend Points – The Art of Probing
  • The “probing” technique: Using alligator clips to temporarily connect different points in a circuit.
  • Listening for changes: Using headphones or a small speaker to monitor the audio output.
  • Systematic probing: Developing a methodology to explore a circuit effectively.
  • Understanding common bend points: Clock circuits, oscillators, filter sections, data lines, control voltages.
  • Documenting your findings: Taking notes on successful bends and their effects.

Module 2: Foundational Circuit Bending Techniques – Unlocking Hidden Sounds

• Lesson 2.1: The Power Starve Bend – Manipulating Voltage
  • Understanding how voltage affects circuit behavior.
  • Techniques for reducing or increasing voltage (within safe limits).
  • Using potentiometers to create variable voltage drops.
  • Exploring the sonic effects of power starvation: Glitching, distortion, pitch shifts, rhythmic artifacts.
  • Practical exercise: Power starving a simple battery-powered toy.
• Lesson 2.2: The Pitch Bend – Controlling Oscillators
  • Identifying oscillator circuits (often related to sound generation).
  • Techniques for altering oscillator frequency: Connecting resistors or capacitors.
  • Using potentiometers to create variable pitch control.
  • Exploring the sonic effects of pitch bending: Sweeps, drones, atonal textures.
  • Practical exercise: Adding a pitch control to a toy keyboard.
• Lesson 2.3: The Glitch Bend – Exploiting Data and Control Lines
  • Understanding digital and analog signals.
  • Identifying data lines and control signals within a circuit.
  • Techniques for disrupting these signals: Temporary connections, adding resistance or capacitance.
  • Exploring the sonic effects of glitch bending: Rhythmic loops, stuttering effects, digital noise.
  • Practical exercise: Creating glitch effects on a digital toy.
• Lesson 2.4: The Body Contact Bend – Human Interaction as a Circuit Element
  • Understanding how the human body can conduct electricity (at low voltages).
  • Identifying sensitive points in a circuit that react to touch.
  • Creating body contact points using exposed wires or metal pads.
  • Exploring the sonic effects of body contact: Modulation, filtering, unpredictable sonic events.
  • Practical exercise: Implementing body contact bends on a simple device.
• Lesson 2.5: The Light Sensitive Bend – Harnessing Photons
  • Understanding how light-dependent resistors (LDRs) work.
  • Identifying points in a circuit where light sensitivity can create interesting effects.
  • Integrating LDRs into bends to create light-controlled parameters.
  • Exploring the sonic effects of light sensitivity: Tremolo-like effects, dynamic filtering, light-triggered events.
  • Practical exercise: Adding light-sensitive control to a sound-producing device.

Module 3: Intermediate Circuit Bending Techniques – Expanding Your Sonic Palette

• Lesson 3.1: Adding External Controls – Potentiometers and Switches
  • Choosing the right type and value of potentiometers for different bends.
  • Wiring potentiometers for variable resistance control.
  • Selecting several types of switches (momentary, latching, SPST, SPDT, etc.).
  • Wiring switches to enable/disable bends or select different circuit paths.
  • Practical exercise: Adding multiple potentiometers and switch controls to a bent device.
• Lesson 3.2: Modifying Existing Components – Resistors, Capacitors, and More
  • Understanding the function of different passive components in a circuit.
  • Experimenting with changing resistor values to alter current flow and signal levels.
  • Experimenting with changing capacitor values to affect filtering and timing.
  • Safe component removal and soldering techniques.
  • Practical exercise: Modifying component values to alter the sound of a device.
• Lesson 3.3: Creating Feedback Loops – The Sound of Self-Interaction
  • Understanding audio feedback and its potential for sonic exploration.
  • Identifying points in a circuit where output can be fed back into the input.
  • Using potentiometers to control the level of feedback.
  • Exploring the sonic effects of feedback: Oscillations, drones, distorted textures.
  • Practical exercise: Implementing a feedback loop in an effects pedal or toy.
• Lesson 3.4: Integrating External Audio Inputs and Outputs
  • Understanding audio signal levels (line level, instrument level).
  • Identifying appropriate points to tap into or inject audio signals.
  • Wiring audio input and output jacks (mono and stereo).
  • Using bent devices as effects processors for external audio sources.
  • Practical exercise: Adding input and output jacks to a bent device.
• Lesson 3.5: Working with Digital Circuits – Exploring the Binary Realm (Introduction)
  • Basic concepts of digital logic (high/low states).
  • Identifying clock signals and data lines in digital devices.
  • Experimenting with interrupting or connecting digital signals (with extra caution).
  • Understanding the potential for unpredictable and complex sonic results.
  • Introduction to tools like logic probes for analyzing digital signals.

Module 4: Advanced Circuit Bending Techniques – Pushing the Boundaries of Sound

• Lesson 4.1: Working with Integrated Circuits (ICs) – Delving Deeper
  • Identifying common types of ICs used in sound generation (e.g., op-amps, timers, sound synthesis chips).
  • Understanding IC pinouts and datasheets (basic interpretation).
  • Targeting specific pins on ICs for more precise control.
  • Experimenting with manipulating power, ground, and control pins.
  • Cautionary measures when working directly with ICs (ESD sensitivity).
• Lesson 4.2: Creating Custom Control Interfaces – Beyond Basic Knobs and Switches
  • Integrating unconventional sensors: Pressure sensors, bend sensors, motion sensors.
  • Using microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino) to create more complex control schemes (introduction).
  • Exploring CV (Control Voltage) and its applications in circuit bending.
  • Design and building custom enclosures for your bent creations.
• Lesson 4.3: Combining Bends and Creating Complex Interactions
  • Strategically planning and implementing multiple bends within a single device.
  • Understanding how different bends can interact and influence each other.
  • Creating bend matrices or patch bays for flexible sonic exploration.
  • Developing a personal “bending style” through experimentation.
• Lesson 4.4: Documenting and Sharing Your Bent Creations
  • Creating clear and concise documentation of your bends (schematics, notes, photos, videos).
  • Labeling controls and connections effectively.
  • Sharing your work online (forums, social media, sound libraries).
  • Collaborating with other circuit benders.
• Lesson 4.5: Troubleshooting and Repairing Bent Devices
  • Identifying common problems encountered during circuit bending.
  • Using a multimeter to diagnose faults.
  • Basic soldering and desoldering techniques for repairs.
  • Strategies for recovering from accidental damage.

Module 5: Creative Applications and Performance – Unleashing Your Bent Instruments

• Lesson 5.1: Circuit Bending in Music Production
  • Integrating bent instruments into your recording setup.
  • Using effects pedals and software to further process bent sounds.
  • Layering and manipulating bent sounds to create unique textures.
  • Examples of artists who utilize circuit bending in their music.
• Lesson 5.2: Circuit Bending for Sound Design
  • Creating custom sound effects for film, games, and interactive installations.
  • Designing unique sonic elements for theatrical performances.
  • Building soundscapes and ambient textures with bent devices.
• Lesson 5.3: Building Custom Circuit-Bent Instruments
  • Combining elements from different bent devices.
  • Designing and building custom enclosures and interfaces.
  • Exploring the possibilities of creating unique and expressive instruments.
• Lesson 5.4: Live Performance with Circuit-Bent Instruments
  • Strategies for incorporating bent instruments into live sets.
  • Dealing with the unpredictable nature of bent devices in a live setting.
  • Using external controllers and effects to enhance live performance.
  • Stage presence and performance techniques for circuit benders.
• Lesson 5.5: The Future of Circuit Bending – New Technologies and Directions
  • Exploring the bending potential of more modern electronic devices (with caution and research).
  • Integrating digital and analog bending techniques.
  • The role of circuit bending in DIY electronics and the maker movement.
  • Ethical considerations in the evolving landscape of electronic waste and reuse.

Throughout the Course:

• Hands-on Projects: Each module will include several suggested projects to reinforce the learned concepts and encourage experimentation.