Why do they exist?
When working with sound, it is often through experimentation that we find new forms and textures. That experimentation often helps us discover new dimensions to things that already exist around us. The constant flow of new experiences helps us form new neural connections in the brain, pushing us forward.
I see circuit bending as the ultimate form of experimentation - the exciting process of poking around a circuit with a piece of wire and connecting parts that were never supposed to be connected. Circuit bending is about finding beauty in the ugly, sometimes deliberately making it uglier to see more beauty.
By combining multiple noise machines together, the performer opens up new possibilities for creating complex soundscapes. The tactile feelings of flipping switches, turning knobs, combined with the hypnotic glow of multiple LED lights - the weirder the experience, the better.
The sound is just terrible! Is it supposed to sound like this?
- Any normal person.How to make one?
All noise machines start with a circuit. Circuits are made from various electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, potentiometers, LEDs, audio inputs and outputs, diodes and switches.
They way I prefer building a noise machine is by first building a circuit that follows a certain schematic, and then trying to alter that defined state through experimentation. By breaking rules and connecting the forbidden, this approach opens up a world of new possibilities.
What happens if you put one IC on top of another IC?
- A circuit bending enthusiast.
When building a circuit, you need a base to solder your components onto - a board.
Usually, you start with a prototype board. It allows you to quickly assemble a circuit, without spending too much time figuring out component placement or routing.
When should I move from prototype board to PCB?
- A question to ask yourself once in a while.If you need to produce a lot of machines using the same circuit schematic, you might want to use a printed circuit board (PCB).
PCB's are more expensive, that is the major downside. If you want to do it yourself, you need to purchase materials and chemicals. But it is definitely more fun, try it out!
What can you use them for?
Why would someone need a noise machine? It sounds terrible, and it looks kind of weird...
By running a noise machine through a sound effect processor, you can create multiple layers of complexity, making the end result sounding more like an ambient drone track.
In addition to effect processing, you can also combine multiple machines together and create chords. Such a setup can be used as a source of sound samples for music, movies, or games.
Can you turn it off, please?
- A person you are showing off your noise machine to.