So I know of Circuitbenders.co.uk (amazing work)… who does similar debauchery here in the states? Have a few things that need bending
I’m not sure of circuit benders specifically but it made me think of the fact that I saw a new version of the Speak n Spell being sold at a store I was at recently.
It says on the box that it uses the original speak synthesis technology. It certainly sounded like I remember it. I wonder if those have the same circuitry as the originals. I almost want to buy one to find out.
If it’s battery powered then why not try to bend it yourself?
edit: ah okay, I see that they modify music equipment rather than classic circuit bending of toys…
Check their demos, some amazing sounds out of mediocre gear.
this guy does some stuff.
Walmart
$22.50
I know a couple (Beatrix and JAR) from back when i lived in Minneapolis, who did a lot of circuit bending. It’s a few years back but you could try asking them. Really good people.
I think they are still in business. They also sell odd ball stuff now and cassette tapes, on eBay among other things. It’s been years since i have even thought about them.
GetLoFi – Circuit Bending Synth – DIY – Cassette Tape Albums
There are some links here that might help too.
ADDED:
Found more.
Wikipedia page
There’s some old videos too.
Ebay, Reverb. Search for ‘circuit bent’.
There’s a few guys on Muff Wigglers that’ll bend things, make modules for you…
I got into it in the 90s. Did it heavily for a long time. I used to be able to wire up a speak and spell from memory. Went through a phase of selling tons of it on eBay just to thin out the massive stockpile I had built up. I was even approached as an authority on the subject by strangers, which is weird. I never had much of a web presence, just word of mouth.
Nowadays I rarely do any bending due to time constraints but I miss it. I still take the occasional modding/ bending commission but my turn around time is stupid long unless it’s something dead simple.
I always thought it was weird to experience any level of “success” (as minor as it was) in that field. I always thought it was cool largely because it’s so accessible to anyone who can solder. Is there something specific you want done? Feel free to PM me if you want to pick my brain.
Thanks for the responses all. Lots to check out.
This probably isn’t for you DonovanDwyer, but for anyone else perusing this thread, i see that Reed Ghazala offers various levels of apprenticeship/education programs taught by him in Cincinnati. Yeah, you pay money for it, and more importantly you would invest time in the learning, but it sounds like it’s a lot of fun if you are so inclined. The program sounds like it is very individualized, and it seems to me to be very reasonable in cost.
http://www.anti-theory.com/apprentice/index1.html
On the other hand D.D. you could see if the circuit-bending ‘god’ might be interested in helping you too.
stay away from ebay circuit benders. so much scamming going on. reed ghazala is legit and muff wigglers is legit.
Hey check this out:
https://www.target.com/p/vtech-alphabet-apple/-/A-79406373#lnk=sametab
$13.50
This is using an older version but i got to believe the newer one will do something similar.
There’s a bunch of other vtech toys that look like they’d be hackable too. Like the Peppa Pig Alphabet Car, and the Touch and Teach Sea Turtle.
Vtech is usually a safe bet. I’m not too familiar with their newer stuff but I’ve always found their older stuff to be circuit bending gold.