Circuit bending

Probing for "bends" using a jeweler's screwdriver and alligator clips

Circuit bending is the modification of circuits in electronic devices such as children's toys and digital synthesizers to change or control their sound output, usually by dismantling the machine and adding components such as switches and potentiometers.

Circuit bending has commonly been associated with noise music, though many other contemporary musicians have experimented with it.

Experimental process

A circuit-bent Walkman
A 1989 Kawasaki toy guitar used in a circuit bending project

The process of circuit bending involves experimenting with inexpensive second-hand electronics that produce sounds, such as toys, keyboards, drum machines, and electronic learning products. Circuit bending is generally exploratory: modifications are made without a manufacturer's schematic or a predetermined design, and useful bends may be found by temporarily bridging points on an exposed circuit board and listening for changes in the output.

A common modification involves the device's clock circuit. In many electronic toys, the clock controls the pitch of sounds as well as the speed of programmed sequences. Changing resistance in the timing circuit can therefore alter both pitch and speed. Useful circuit points may be connected to controls such as potentiometers, photoresistors, or touch contacts.

Devices that use crystal-controlled clocks or highly integrated circuitry can be more difficult to modify because fewer timing components and connections are externally accessible. Circuit-bending guides recommend using battery-powered devices rather than equipment connected to mains electricity.

A Yamaha PSR-6 used in a circuit bending project

History

Serge Tcherepnin, designer of the Serge modular synthesizers, discussed his early experiments in the 1950s with the transistor radio, in which he found circuit points that responded sonically to touch, and wired them to "body contacts" on the plastic chassis.

In 1967, musician and technologist Reed Ghazala encountered a similar phenomenon when a toy amplifier with its circuitry exposed accidentally shorted against the inside of a metal desk drawer, producing unexpected sounds.: 8  This experience inspired him to begin building circuit bent instruments intentionally. Ghazala coined the term "circuit bending" for the practice in 1992 and began publishing about the technique in Experimental Musical Instruments that year.: 8  He was described by Motherboard as the "father of circuit bending."

Starting in 1984, Swiss duo Voice Crack began creating music by manipulating common electronic devices in a practice they termed "cracked everyday electronics."

Notable users

See also

Kraakdoos

References

  1. ↑ Mirapaul, Matthew (2004-04-08). "Circuit Benders Unlock the Long Riffs in Short-Circuits". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  2. ↑ Collins, Nicolas. "Circuit Bending". Handmade Electronic Music. Routledge. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
  3. 1 2 3 Collins, Nicolas. "Circuit Bending". Handmade Electronic Music. Routledge. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
  4. ↑ Vail, Mark (2000-03-15). Vintage Synthesizers: Pioneering Designers, Groundbreaking Instruments, Collecting Tips, Mutants of Technology (2.00 ed.). Backbeat Books.
  5. 1 2 Ghazala, Reed (2005). Circuit-bending: build your own alien instruments. ExtremeTech. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Pub. ISBN 978-0-7645-8887-7.
  6. ↑ Ghazala, Reed (2021). "Circuit-bending and living instruments". In Hopkin, Bart; Tewari, Sudhu (eds.). Sound inventions: selected articles from experimental musical instruments. Sound design series. Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-003-00352-6.
  7. ↑ Deahl, Dani (2018-09-14). "Hacking a Furby in the name of music". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-07-11.
  8. ↑ Anderson, Brian (2014-08-07). "Meet Reed Ghazala, the Father of Circuit Bending". VICE. Retrieved 2025-09-18.
  9. 1 2 Kahn, Jason (December 2008). "Norbert Möslang: Cracked Everyday". Paris Transatlantic. Retrieved 2026-09-01.
  10. ↑ O’Neal, Sean (2011-01-14). "R.I.P. Trish Keenan of Broadcast". AV Club. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Yeaton, Sean; Pasternack, Alex (2011-06-22). "Motherboard TV: The Father of Circuit Bending: Reed Ghazala". Vice. Archived from the original on 2025-12-13. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  12. ↑ Scott-Bates, Paul (2022-10-29). "Modified Toy Orchestra: Silfurberg – album review". Louder than War. Archived from the original on 2022-10-31. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  13. ↑ Leatherman, Benjamin (2010-09-16). "Why Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh Befriended Local Circuit Bender Corey Busboom". Phoenix New Times. Phoenix. Archived from the original on 2024-05-29. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  14. 1 2 Leatherman, Benjamin (2006-08-10). "Off on a Bender". Phoenix New Times. Phoenix. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2025-12-13.
  15. ↑ Elhaj, Emily (2019-08-15). "Circuit Bending 101 (...and a little more)". Earthquaker Devices. Archived from the original on 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-12-12.

Further reading