Book Recommendation: Circuit-Bending: Build Your Own Alien Instruments

Circuit-Bending: Build Your Own Alien Instruments (ExtremeTech)


For those unfamiliar with the term, circuit bending refers to the practice of purposely short-circuiting electronic devices such as children's toys or home keyboards in order to get them to make bizarre new sounds. The man many credit with the start of the circuit-bending movement is Reed Ghazala, who also happens to be the author of this book. Can't get a much better source than that. Anyway, the book covers everything from what equipment you'll need to basic electrical engineering to how to solder all the way up to guiding you through about a dozen specific projects for modifying specific pieces of gear into shrieking monsters. The style of the book is very casual and easy to read, and the information is presented in a manner that is easy to understand even for people with no prior knowledge of the subject. Highly recommended to anyone with more than a passing interest in circuit bending.