I like to spend time up in my attic.
In the Summer, it’s too hot.
In the Winter, It’s too cold.
But it’s my musical laboratory, and I go up there to listen, think, play, and create.
This series will talk about various toys and instruments that I’ve modified, circuit bent, and generally fucked with. Peter already posted a video of a great drum machine, the Yamaha RX-17, so I thought I’d start there.
The Yamaha Rx-17 is a 12-bit drum machine that was built from 1984 through 1989. It has some great stereo sounds and simple sequencing ability. I got mine on ebay for $20.
I had come across the Anode Records website detailing the bending of this guy. It was the first time I messed with a device that wasn’t battery operated, but with the knowledge that other idiots out there had bent these and survived, I dug in.
My favorite part about this bend, besides the incredible distorted, modulated, delayed, and glitched-out sounds, is the patch bay I built from a wooden box and some copper roofing nails.
What’s cool about a patch bay like this is that, unlike a normal patch bay with 1/8th inch jacks, you don’t need special cords to make connections. Any conductive metal object will do. While I usually use some wires with alligator clips and bands of metal, you could throw any metal object on it (car keys, spare change, scissors, robot parts, etc) and it will bend the sound.
I also love the matrix of LED lights that blink in time with the various drums and the fancy faux hammered brass paint job.
All in all, one of my finest bends.
Also this page has the making of a really cool looking RX-17 bend.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Nice work, guys!!!
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:59 am
Great Site, love the blog