Circuit bending with Sam
Location: Junctionview Studios
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Workshop level: Beginner
Instructor: Sam Hoar
Cost: $20 ($15 for instruction, $5 for materials)
Emphasizing spontaneity and randomness, circuit bending is the creative short-circuiting of low voltage, battery-powered electronic audio devices such as guitar effects, children’s toys, inexpensive battery-powered musical instruments, portable CD players, etc. to create new musical instruments and sound generators. This is achieved by adding wires, knobs, and switches to control new connections within the device’s pre-existing circuitry.
For this hands-on workshop, participants will be introduced to the art and science of circuit bending and will have the opportunity to circuit bend a toy (or two). The best part? No previous experience with electronics is required – and is fun for kids *and* adults!
Participants are welcome (but certainly not required) to bring:
- Cheap electronic toys (you can find good used toys at thrift stores)
- Soldering irons and solder
- Assortment of switches and buttons you like
- Assorted metal objects for body contacts, e.g., anything you can attach and solder to (screws, knobs, and very thick wire works well)
- Small hand tools – the more the merrier (wire cutters, screw drivers, jumper wires with alligator clips, etc)
- 1/4″ or 1/8″ audio jacks if you want to have audio output
- Audio and linear potentiometers (volume control pots, etc). along with a suitable knobs
- An assortment of resistors if you really want to get complicated
This workshop is suitable for both children and adults! Registration for children aged 12 and under is FREE!
***note: If you do not wish to pay for the workshop via paypal, please email Alison at alison@thefusefactory.org to make alternative payment arrangements.***
