Circuit-Bending: Build Your Own Alien Instruments (ExtremeTech) (Paperback)

by Reed Ghazala (Author) "Looking back over the past 38 years, and having been circuit-bending throughout, I can tell you one thing with certainty: There is no better time..." (more)
Key Phrases: photon clarinet, bending switches, pitch dial, Step-by-Step Bending You've, Harmonic Window, Cool Keys (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

• Fans will get bent out of shape if they miss the first book to cover circuit-bending-"bending," for short-the method by which an electronic toy or a device such as a keyboard is short-circuited and modified to create an entirely different sound
• Written by the inventor of the technology, this book covers the tools of the trade, shows how to build a bending workshop, and reveals secrets that will have readers of all levels making sweet music in no time
• Readers learn basic bends, body contacts, and other bending skills, as well as ways to create bent instruments from a variety of popular toys and electronic devices
• Features some of the author's own unique creations

From the Back Cover
"We send probes into deep space to listen to alien worlds. But alien worlds aren't always that far away."
—Reed Ghazala

Alien music could be inside that old Speak & Spell at your neighbor's yard sale. Circuit-bending sets it free. Start turning throw-away audio electronics into magical music engines and discover a freedom of expression that comes straight from your dreams. All you need to know about electronics is how to solder—an how to read these instructions from the guy who accidentally started it all. Limitations? Only your imagination.

Inside you'll find detailed instructions for turning ANY circuit you find into an alien music engine overnight, along with never before revealed secrets to bent instruments including:

1. Incantor
2. Cool Keys
3. Casio SK-1
4. Casio SA-2
5. Harmonic Window
6. Phone Toys
7. Casio SK-60
8. Realistic MT140
9. Casio SA-5
10. The Electronic Womb
11. Casio Sax
12. Particle Bays
13. Write with Light
14. Rap Rhythm
15. Mall Madness

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Product Details

• Paperback: 450 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (August 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764588877
• ISBN-13: 978-0764588877
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #269,669 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lots of great info, a ton of filler, October 23, 2006

By	Cody Ranaldo (new york, ny) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a great beginning introduction to circuit bending. When I recieved it I was immediately ready to read it cover to cover. However, while the information regarding what parts to get, as detailed info on completing specific projects is great, I couldn't help being distracted by a good amount of slef indulgence from the author. I'm really interested in the technical aspects of bending, and how to be able to strike it out on my own once I learn a thing or two. This book enables you to do this. It reads as preachy at times, and I find the personal asides (long pasages about camping trips and windstorms blowing charred embers into a tent, talk of the hippie 60's, etc.) to be annoying. I was able to overlook them until about page 100, but they certainly get old quickly. From a more utilitarian standpoint, it is simply harder to find what you are looking for when wading through a sea of wacky quips.

Hippies and aliens aside, I would seriously reccomend this book to anyone who has no experience whatsoever in electronics. Ghazala teaches good soldering technique, and moves through explanations of electronic components at a slow pace. However, If you are interested in circuit bending and other DIY electronic music forms in a broader sense I would recommend the book "Handmade Electronic Music" by Nicolas Collins over this one, simply because it presents things more seroiusly, more concisely, and has useful historical asides (talk of John Cage, Nam June Paik) that are more interesting than Ghazala's personal tales.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed..., August 24, 2005

By	Kelsey Cain - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I just started looking into circuit-bending about a month ago. I googled the term and thankfully found Reed's site. It was both inspiring and informative. This book reads the same way. Without speaking over the head of the reader, this book holds much information on the subject. It is full of tips, pictures and diagrams that will have you on your way to creating your own interesting instruments. Though circuit-bending deals with electronics in so many ways, he still covers the aspects of instrument design. This book has it all, so check it out.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Want to bend but lack any experience? This book is all you need., December 5, 2005

By	Count Spankulus (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

I was a novice with no bending experience but plenty of interest. I purchased this book because it was about the only reference I could find on the subject. I had ascertained from poking around on the internet that Reed really was the Godfather of bending. It turns out that he is also an exceptional teacher/writer. This book starts at the very beginning: The history of bending, necessary tools, soldering techniques, etc. Someone with no electronics experience whatsoever will be able to follow every step. I never felt like any steps were missing from the process. Reed explains every detail clearly, concisely and often humorously without insulting the reader's intelligence. The book goes on to discuss bending about 15 specific instruments. This is a great way to get a start and prepare you for the real fun: bending your own instruments. The only complaint I have is that it would have been nice to have all important tools and parts specified with part numbers (Many are). This would allow the reader to more easily obtain the necessary parts. However, this info is available online if you search a little. Word of warning: The costs of the necessary tools to bend are not negligible. You will need a soldering station, a Dremel hobby drill and various switches and components. The costs add up. However, these are mostly fixed startup costs that become trivial over the course of a bending career.