How to Do Circuit Bending with a Kid's Toy

Presented by Amanda Claire

Learn how to bend circuits, disassemble toy cases, unscrew circuit boards and test a circuit bend in this free video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.

Series Summary

Circuit bending is one of the most creative ways to make random weird noises. It involves soldering and wiring contact points on the circuit boards of common sound-producing electronic items like children's toys or synthesizers to alter the sounds such items make. The wiring is attached to switches that can then be used to control the "bent" circuit and create strange, unique, and interesting sounds. Circuit bending is commonly associated with noise music, but such improvised musical instruments have been experimented with by a variety of musicians.

In this free video series, our expert Amanda Claire will show you how to find and bend circuits to make new instruments and sound generators. She will teach you the basics of electronics, all about the circuit board itself, and how to find and experiment with circuit bends to create new sounds. Amanda will also teach you how to use gator clips to test different bent sounds, how to install an audio jack to amplify your new musical instrument, and how to measure, strip, tin, and solder wire to the contact points on circuit boards to bend circuits. Amanda will teach you about looping effects, logic scrambler effects, body contacts, potentiometers, the lick and press method, the chopstick method, and the unpredictability of circuit bending. Finally Amanda will show you how to decorate your new instrument, install different kinds of switches and buttons, and how to keep yourself safe when soldering and creating great new interesting sounds.

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How to Match a Switch to a Circuit Bend

Learn how to match a switch to a bend on a toy guitar in this free video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.

Learn About Looping Circuit Bends

Understand how a looping bend works and how you can create one yourself with expert tips and advice on circuit bending in this free video clip on noise music.

How to Solder for Circuit Bending

Learn how to solder on a toy guitar in this free video series that will help you understand how and when to utilize this unique way of making music.

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