Circuit Bending - it does a body good.

Halp.

I've wanted to get into this for a good many years now, but life being never what we expect, I've not had the chance or the tools until now.

I've recently inherited pretty much anything I could need to geek out on some circuit boards, but I'm pretty green on the whole subject. If any of you have any experience with this, or know of any good resources I might be able to start with, I'd be ever so grateful. I'd even be willing to trade home-mutated toys for your efforts. :D

I'll be moving to Portland, Oregon within the next few weeks, and immediately after relocating, will be hitting every toy store and yard sale I can to find test subjects. I'll post pics of the process if anyone is interested.

Anyhow, please and thanks in advance. :)

cheers,
Sir Kut Ben Durr.

You posted in the music forum but you sound like you're into general circuit stuff. I'm curious as to what all you inherited.

It's getting harder to find things that can be repaired at board level. Seems like everything is microprocessor controlled and uses surface mount technology and are designed with ease of construction. Things cost more to repair than to replace.


Complete kits.
Ramsey Electronics (http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/)
Electronic Kits, Electronic Hobby Kits, Electronic Kit (http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/complete.htm?gclid=CPDkxN P2tpkCFRufnAodwk_l6w)
Single IC Radio Electronic Circuits (http://www.electrokits.com/Receivers/Radio-Circuit-Single-IC)
Electronic Kits and Tools ApogeeKits (http://www.apogeekits.com/)
Ham Radio and Electronic Kits (http://www.ac6v.com/kits.htm) <--Ham radio mostly

Homebrew circuit boards:
How-To: Etch a single sided PCB - Hack a Day (http://hackaday.com/2008/07/28/how-to-etch-a-single-sided-pcb/)
press-n-peel,InkJet,PCB Etch,Etch PCB (http://techref.massmind.org/techref/pcb/etch/directinkjetresist.htm)
[OC]ModShop - How to Etch a PCB (http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=203)

Parts and surplus:
Allied Electronics - Electronic Components Distribution (http://www.alliedelec.com/)
Mouser Electronics - Electronic Component Distributor (http://www.mouser.com/)
Digi-Key Corporation - USA Home Page (http://www.digikey.com/)
All Electronics | Electronic and Electro-Mechanical Parts and Supplies at Discount Prices (http://www.allelectronics.com/)
Welcome to Jameco Electronics! Great Products, Low Prices. (http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?store Id=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1)
BGMicro Hobby Electronics and Parts (http://www.bgmicro.com/)
Surplus Sales of Nebraska (http://www.surplussales.com/)

Circuit bending a keyboard or something that makes sound turns it into glitchy noise. Music forum is appropriate. On that note, I don't know shit about it but I'm sure google will have thousands of results and how tos.

Create Digital Music (http://createdigitalmusic.com/)

Some really good DIY stuff there.

Matrixsynth (http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/)

The BEST synth related blog on the planet. Search for DIY/CB articles.

Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY (http://www.instructables.com/)

Search for circuit bending there.

TRASH_AUDIO (http://trashaudio.blogspot.com/)

Some awesome interviews with people about various topics including CB's.

As for Portland, there is a HUGE scene there for DIY electronics and CB'ing. Might want to start going to some shows for people like Blix, Ignatius, ML, Buried in Time records etc etc. Portland has an amazing DIY electronic movement that is just getting bigger and bigger.

Create Digital Music (http://createdigitalmusic.com/)

Some really good DIY stuff there.

Matrixsynth (http://matrixsynth.blogspot.com/)

The BEST synth related blog on the planet. Search for DIY/CB articles.

Instructables - Make, How To, and DIY (http://www.instructables.com/)

Search for circuit bending there.

TRASH_AUDIO (http://trashaudio.blogspot.com/)

Some awesome interviews with people about various topics including CB's.

As for Portland, there is a HUGE scene there for DIY electronics and CB'ing. Might want to start going to some shows for people like Blix, Ignatius, ML, Buried in Time records etc etc. Portland has an amazing DIY electronic movement that is just getting bigger and bigger.

I can't wait to get to Portland.. I am half owner of a tiny independent record label and my business partner is already there. We produce experimental electronic, IDM and glitch, so this benefits my business as well as my geeky fetish. ;)

This is all a huge help, thanks so much. As are all the links in Heat's post, I'll need both to be even remotely successful.

And yes, assfrags, I've checked google on countless occasions, but I was hoping someone here had personal experience and could lead me to trusted resources.

Again, thanks so much for the help, it's truly appreciated.

Here's a bonus clip of a circuit bent speak and spell :D

Itn5wkiUmcw

Which label if you dont mind my asking?

Middle Management Recordings.
My partner started the business when he lived in Ireland and has brought it with him here, so we're still in the early stages, but we've already got one album out since he's been in the states and we've got 4 more in the works once I get moved.

This is one of the artists on our label, although I'd like to add, they're not all the same flavor as this guy. We produce everything from ambient drone to noise and all the tasty bits in between, as long as it fits under the experimental umbrella. Gotta love the confusing genre definitions these days, eh?

Here's his myspace if you'd like to check out more of his stuff.
Prince Kong... I make me rigid on itunes now!!!!!! on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads (http://www.myspace.com/kongism)

This particular piece is metal based.

Aos1ybZ_oGk

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php

They have everything you need.

Did you know that a lot of the surface mount stuff can be worked on using a hot air soldering unit? I was blown away.