Dad’s Knife

just got off the phone with my dad. he told me about an outdoor project he’s in the middle of that involves some woodwork. he still has an axe that he & i used to chop firewood. i told him i still have his knife that he used to clean fish.

More Cowbell

ok, i confess, this post has nothing to do with will ferrell, blue oyster cult, or christopher walken… i just wrote cowbell to get your attention, but i did post more bent tones which may have the same effect. hey, you got my number.

Repurposed, Reborn…

i’ve made alot of blog entries about circuit bending. this one is going to highlight the latest use for this strange hobby. recently i recorded the sounds that came from the speak & math that i successfully “bent” by altering pitch control, looping, and glitching. it occurred to me that some of my friends might want to download these sounds and use them for ringtones or other purposes. so now there’s a new page on this blog called mondo beep (formerly cell bent). as i record new sounds from old toys, i’ll post them for others to download. and if it’s something that takes off, maybe i can make a few bucks so this blog can support itself.

Puttin’ On The Dog

hung out with the mulls and firestones last night for chris’ birthday. originally we were going to squeeze in two social gatherings, but our midnight oil ran out early apologies to the voglers. the evening took a surreal turn when chloĆ© made wigs for the dogs.

Solve It

kyle patnode, this one’s for you. solve it.

The Good Glitch

finally mounted two fixtures on the circuit bent speak & math that resulted in body contact glitches. i had to share that accomplishment with ray rennock at thunderball. in return he showed me his latest pinball games, a velvet pink panther (pic above), and the godfather of exotica music. all in a day’s work.

So Far So Good, 3 Mods

the last circuit bending video i recorded featured a toggle switch that “catches” sounds, and a potentiometer that slows them down… yesterday i tried making body contacts, but the nuts didn’t conduct the signal as well as two nickels (a temporary fix). hopefully two rivets will do the trick.

The Cold Treatment

people take many things for a cold: vitamin C, fluids, aspirin… i did all these things and more last week. i kept myself distracted with circuit bending related purchases (cheap bass amp & a cheaper toy) and reading a tom waits interview. the video below shows the difference between a normal toy and one that’s been circuit bent.

The Best Bends Yet

in the never ending quest to circuit bend old toys, i bought a 1980′s speak & math friday online, and three days later the postman delivered it. i had the foresight to record a “before” video that will accompany an “after” video that will showcase modifications (fingers crossed) in the form of control switches, knobs, and buttons. in the meantime, here are some of the altered sounds i coaxed out of this thing before jenny came home:
message from space
electrocuted sheep
level

The Electric Jasmine Wildcat

danny williams came to the house last tuesday to record songs, and ideas for songs. one of the first things that evolved was a wildlife nature documentary that ranks somewhere between marlin perkins and doctor who.