KVR Audio

intel · Post by **intel** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:59 am

Its not a stupid idea. It wouldn't be hard to create a VST that emulated some of the aspects of the manipulation and sound results of circuit bent instruments. For those of us who circuit bend it may seem like that would defeat the point (and it would), but for people who don't circuit bend or don't use hardware it would be a unique opportunity for them to join us in a limited fashion.

Remember this is a site dedicated to software synthesis and effects. If you want to climb up on your soapbox and deride people who would use a "circuit bent" VST, then you should probably do it somewhere else. Around here that sort of idea should be the norm.

As for the idea, Tim, I don't think its stupid, but I'd cringe to see something like that called a "Circuit bent VST", simply because software can't be circuit bent. What would really be interesting would be to apply the concept of circuit bending to a VST and create a databent VST that works in ways that a circuit bent device would. Something that you could use in its original context, but if you push a button it actually performs some sort of databending function on the output signal. Dunno if that's possible, but I'd certainly love to see someone explore the idea.

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:06 am

Why not just throw the output of a VST into a plugin like dblue's Glitch to achieve the same thing?

Anyway. Is it time we gave circuit bending it's own forum? I don't know of any circuit bending forums, and i think this thread shows there's enough people interested in the art form to make it worthwhile

intel · Post by **intel** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:56 am

No. Glitch has lots of great applications, but none of them come close to attaining the sound of a databent file. And its certainly too predictable and logical to emulate a circuit bent device.

There are tons of forums and subforums devoted to circuit bending on the net. There are so many that the vast majority of them languish in inactivity because supply far exceeds demand. With so many circuit benders being anal and self-important about their bending it'll be hard to ever establish a single forum that is all-encompassing. Even the mailing groups that are out there are rife with petty bickering between egomaniacs and almost utterly devoid of any useful information.

hoffy · Post by **hoffy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:23 am

intel wrote:With so many circuit benders being anal and self-important about their bending ... even the mailing groups that are out there are rife with petty bickering between egomaniacs and almost utterly devoid of any useful information.

Should suit KvR nicely then.

intel · Post by **intel** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 6:53 am

tconrardy · Post by **tconrardy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:38 am

I guess what appeals to me is the actual sound, not necessarily how it gets there. The sound is very organic and " glurpy" to steal a phrase from Robert Rich

Sure, I would like to build my own instrument..but I would like to sample it, and then use the samples in a controlled way in my own music. What would be wrong with that?..or..use the sample as a wave form in a VST and even bend it a bit more. I am sure we can get religious about this, but these are just tools, which makes a different sort of sound. The end result is how you want to use the sound to create expression and extension of yourself.

BTW: I found some VST's that sorta sounds like circuit bent stuff. Its called Mr Alias. Every note you do sounds totally wako. Then I put all the parameters on my knob box for live tweaking.

Tim

_oswald · Post by **_oswald** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 4:01 pm

tconrardy wrote:I guess what appeals to me is the actual sound, not necessarily how it gets there. The sound is very organic and " glurpy" to steal a phrase from Robert Rich Sure, I would like to build my own instrument..but I would like to sample it, and then use the samples in a controlled way in my own music. What would be wrong with that?..or..use the sample as a wave form in a VST and even bend it a bit more. I am sure we can get religious about this, but these are just tools, which makes a different sort of sound. The end result is how you want to use the sound to create expression and extension of yourself.

BTW: I found some VST's that sorta sounds like circuit bent stuff. Its called Mr Alias. Every note you do sounds totally wako. Then I put all the parameters on my knob box for live tweaking.

Tim

There is nothing wrong with re-sequencing and touching up your recorded 'bent parts and I don't think anybody claimed there would be.

The issue I have, is the idea of a Circuit Bent VSTi. If someone can make something with such ass-backwards allowances as to let the user plug -anything- into -anywhere-, then I'd approve of it. But if it has any bit of saftey measures or boundries in place, then it's completley against the paradigm.

And Insert Piz's "Mr.Alias" synth is great.

tconrardy · Post by **tconrardy** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:27 pm

I guess since I am new to Circuit bent stuff...all I hear is the sound of it, and not the method of getting it, or the randomness involved. I suppose once I make my own instrument, I will understand more.

Just ordered parts from that site I mentioned. Looking forward to it!

Tim

datapark · Post by **datapark** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:31 am

The issue I have, is the idea of a Circuit Bent VSTi. If someone can make something with such ass-backwards allowances as to let the user plug -anything- into -anywhere-, then I'd approve of it. But if it has any bit of saftey measures or boundries in place, then it's completley against the paradigm.

So what you want is a modular synth/fx box...

Man, why hasn't someone thought of that?

_oswald · Post by **_oswald** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 2:34 am

datapark wrote:
The issue I have, is the idea of a Circuit Bent VSTi. If someone can make something with such ass-backwards allowances as to let the user plug -anything- into -anywhere-, then I'd approve of it. But if it has any bit of saftey measures or boundries in place, then it's completley against the paradigm.
So what you want is a modular synth/fx box...

Man, why hasn't someone thought of that?

I want a fully modular. If I want to plug anything into anywhere, it's in. I don't care how electronically unsounds or stupid it is. Backwards, forwards - whatever.

jack [psychicmodulation] · Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:32 pm

Here's a playskool keyboard I recently bent:

Here's a soundclip, the audio is divided into five parts to give a basic idea of what it does:
http://www.psychicmodulation.com/orange.mp3

james0tucson · Post by **james0tucson** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:41 pm

datapark wrote:
The issue I have, is the idea of a Circuit Bent VSTi. If someone can make something with such ass-backwards allowances as to let the user plug -anything- into -anywhere-, then I'd approve of it. But if it has any bit of saftey measures or boundries in place, then it's completley against the paradigm.
So what you want is a modular synth/fx box...

Man, why hasn't someone thought of that?

Everybody is out there circuit bending crappy toys and other found objects. How come you never hear anybody's circuit bent Wiard or Doepfer modules?

_oswald · Post by **_oswald** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:58 pm

Jack R wrote:Here's a playskool keyboard I recently bent:

Thumbs up, Jack.

Glad to see you still kickin' the 'bent toys around a bit.

james0tucson wrote: Everybody is out there circuit bending crappy toys and other found objects. How come you never hear anybody's circuit bent Wiard or Doepfer modules?

With a Doepfer or Wiard system, you already have awesome sounds and a large inital investment cost. Going against the warranty and risking malfunction of the components dosen't make sense unless you're either sitting on a nice, padded Swiss Bank account or an electrical genius - both of which require you to again, accept the possability of the module going *kaput*.

'Bending is more or less coaxing strange sounds out of (usually) mediocre or non-traditional low-voltage toys or appliances. While I encourage someone to bend a Wiard system, I won't be the one to do it.

whyterabbyt · Post by **whyterabbyt** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:47 am

james0tucson wrote: Everybody is out there circuit bending crappy toys and other found objects. How come you never hear anybody's circuit bent Wiard or Doepfer modules?

Because most circuit bending takes advantage of the fact that these toys are simple digital sound generators.

tconrardy · Post by **tconrardy** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:07 pm

whyterabbyt wrote:
james0tucson wrote: Everybody is out there circuit bending crappy toys and other found objects. How come you never hear anybody's circuit bent Wiard or Doepfer modules?
Because most circuit bending takes advantage of the fact that these toys are simple digital sound generators.

also, there has been CBs of sound modules such as the Roland TR505( quite common on EBay) and other drum machines to create new drum sounds. The only thing is that if you are dealing with electricity, you really need to use a low voltage device, and thats why these toys are so great..plus it's fun.

Just completed my first CB of a sound toy called "The True You"..a girlie talk profile game..found at a flea market for $2.00..and 25 $ worth of parts later( not all used of course) I have a pretty neat device. Will try to post pics and sounds later.

Tim

CIRCUIT BENDING ... Mini forum in a single thread !!!