Circuit bending

Circuit bending is the creative, chance-based customization of the circuits within electronic devices such as low voltage, battery-powered guitar effects, children's toys and digital synthesizers to create new musical or visual instruments and sound generators.

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 potentiometers that alter the circuit.

Experimental process

Circuit bending is often practiced by those with no formal training in circuit theory or design, experimenting with second-hand electronics in a DIY fashion. Inexpensive keyboards, drum machines, and electronic children's toys (not necessarily designed for music production) are commonly used. Haphazard modifications can result in short circuits, resulting in the risk of fire, burning, or electrocution.

Circuit

Circuit may refer to:

In government and law

In media

In science and technology

In electrical engineering

Reed Ghazala

Qubais Reed Ghazala (born 1953), an American author, photographer, composer, musician and experimental instrument builder, is recognized as the "father of circuit bending," having discovered the technique in 1966, pioneered it, named it, and taught it ever since. He has built experimental instruments for many prominent musicians and media companies including Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, The Rolling Stones, and MTV, among others. Ghazala's work has been covered globally in the press and can be found being taught world-wide.

Ghazala's work is held in various galleries internationally. His influence upon creative electronic design is global, having originated the planet's first "grassroots electronic art movement." Ghazala's work with chance art (the root of circuit-bending) also involves studies in dye migration materials and Japanese suminagashi , as well as liquid, gel and smoke chambers, mobiles and pyrotechnics.

History

Ghazala accidentally discovered the technique of circuit bending in the 1960s when he left a toy amplifier in his desk and heard it start to emit sounds comparable to those produced by expensive synthesizers of the day. The amplifier's casing had been opened, exposing its inner circuitry and allowing it to short circuit when placed against the metal desk. It is this chance aspect of bending that serves as the foundation of circuit-bending.