Gijs did it again with a totally whacked out hardware sequencer for visualizations. Basically an electronic circuit controls rollers that hold various visualization cans, which can be switched in and out as modules. The cans contain things like mirrors, kaleidoscopes, and colored string. The device also features a sequencer that can be programmed to flash a light bulb, control the camera position, and other parameters. Very neat concept, it reminds me a little bit of DrumBuddy. For video of this device you can click here. The visuals generated I can only describe as being totally drunk and stuck in laundromat dryer. Can’t possibly even imagine drinking and watching this on a big projector at a show. Nice work.
…of CasperElectronics.com. Pete demonstrates various methods for bending the NES system and goes into types distortions possible and the bending points like the Cart slot and the video IC. Very informative. The video was filmed for a Public Access TV station in CT making it the one program you do not want to catch late at night cause it will blow your mind! Thanks Pete. Original Post Link.
This may seem a little trivial, however Maxwell went ahead and did up the diagram for hooking up a foot pedal to start LSDJ tracks on the original Grey Gameboy. Actually this diagram of the GameBoy schematic can be quite useful especially if trying to get some video glitches out of the unit. Notice the Video Ram IC.
Benthack blog recently suggested some variations on the previously posted SK-1 Video out schematic. Different ROM IC pins yield some nice results as seen in this video. Nice work!
Gijs of Geiskes.nl has just sent me some information on their recent experiments with patching signals from an Casio SK-1’s ROM chip to a video monitor. The circuit is simply a diode to prevent the back flow of current and a resistor to drop the +5 Volt logic gate to a +2 Volt required for generating a video signal. The color of the pixel is determined by the voltage in between 0 ( Black ) and 2 ( White ), so if multiple points on the ROM chip were mixed with various resistor values color images will occur. Gijs’ result is a series of lines that appear on a monitor in a scrolling fashion. The resulting image is neat and in sync with the sounds generated, however it is out of sync with the screen. The NTSC and PAL video standards require a sync pulse to be sent every so often, without it the image will scroll. Very nice work and I am sure that this technique will work with other circuit bent devices. Video on of the bend is on YouTube.
Kaseo has recently completed a circuit bent Famicom with another Famicom as a break out box for the first unit! This was done probably because space is a premium in a Famicom, unlike those great bulky US NES model which allow for tons of switches and knobs, but either way it looks cool. The breakout box also has an audio input that is seen through out the video affecting the scan lines. Now I need to see an circuit bent Atari 2600 with another Atari 2600 as a breakout box.[via Benders Forum] Video Link.
This event apparently just happened on the November 25th 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. The workshop looked to be a blast from this video with torn apart consoles of varying makes laying around everywhere. Not to mention a glitched up Pachinko machine towards the end. The attendees eagerly spoke about what they were doing, while probing around the circuit boards of Famicons and children’s video toys, unfortunatelly I have no idea what was said. There was also a featured keynote with I am guessing everything that was bent during this workshop. Everything is uploaded to youTube in Part 1 and Part 2 thanks to DragonAsh
After seeing these instruments created by EX PMX I initially had no clue as to their purpose or function, but after further readings, by best guesses are as follows. The M(other)-Switch and the LBBM ( Light Bridge Beat Machine ) are in essence audio/video signal switchers with signal levels being controlled by laser light hitting various sensor points kind of like laser light show kit creating patterns and hitting a stationary photo sensor at quasi random times. Except that later-on in development EM PMX replaced the DC motors with Stepper motors for more rhythmic control over the audio and video with the help of MikMo parallel port sequencer software. A quite sophisticated diagram of the M-Switch is available here. Most of the modules strung together can be purchased as kits parallel PC control and Light activated switch from a variety of sites and local hobby shops. The M-Switch faceplate contains an array of switches as a patching matrix for the signals and the knobs control the sensitivity parameters of these individual switch modules. By using light sensitive switches the Attack and Delay of a particular signal can be modified creating a very complicated analog feel. Cool design indeed, thanks to Karl for sending this link.
While browsing for something new to post I came across a new mod on the Gieskes.NL website. This time we have a circuit bent Sega Master System II with an RCA patchbay. Gijs was also nice enough to post a schematic refering to the IC which the patchbay was wired to. There are stills as well as some really neat videos on the site. It looks like certain patches only distort the scenes and not the actual characters or gameplay. Great for lofi visuals!
This Cosmic Blooper crafted out of an Atari 1200 can be seen better in this series of videos.
The main use of the unit is for video glitching however some interactivity between an SK-1 is also present. Although it is very hard to tell what is going on in a midst of this SK-1, Microcassete, EA-1, and KAOSS pad driven Jam the video number 2 does present some rather nice digital garbage.
Circuit Bending Events Custom Instruments DIY Tips and Tricks. Cassette Tape and Record Full Albums I converted on YouTube. My eBay Auctions and Special Projects.
