UNEARTHED CIRCUITS

New Device - The Complexor (sequencer, filter, synth) demo video

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:21:21 +0000

The Complexor, which has been in the works for several months, is complete. I’m pretty excited at the sounds that come out of this thing and by the versatility in patching options. I’ll be posting a more detailed entry in the projects section soon but for now here’s a demo video and also a video documenting the build process.

The original music in the build video was created using the Complexor and a couple other devices.

Several new devices close to completion

admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:00:41 +0000

What’s been going in in the workshop the past few weeks? Quite a bit. I’ve been holding off updating because I wanted to keep focus on wrapping the current projects and then do one massive post, but I thought I’d take a moment and give a little hint about what’s to come. I have several devices that are very near completion. The circuits have been built and tested and the cases are in their final stages. My frame of mind right now is one of high anticipation. I’m really diggin how the new devices are sounding and each time I test them out I get a ton of new inspiration. While these devices sound pretty amazing on their own most of them have the ability to link with each other for unison effects and sounds. After these are finalized I’m going to step out of the workshop for a bit and get these things screaming in the studio.

Some pics of what’s been going on…

Building the Mini-Looper - A handheld version of the circuit bent yada looper

Installing the Mini-Looper circuit in the case.

Sequencer/Synth - staining the outer wooden shell

Sequencer / Synth - insides.... yes, that is 12! D-cell batteries

Sequencer / Synth - guts have been installed and it's ready to test.

The Complexor - original concept sketch. It's another sequencer/synth with an included filter bank with joystick controls.

The Complexor - Completed the outer case with wood side panels. Time to drill the control panel.

The Complexor - Metal control panel has been drilled, painted and labled.

I’ll be posting more details, pics and videos of these 3 devices on the Machines page in the next few days. Beyond these I’m also working on some other fun things. A 4 buss passive mixer, re-building one of my first circuit bent toys into a new case with new functionality, and a Modulator fitler that adds ASDR to any incoming audio signal.

Also, look out for new sample packs and some music tracks coming out in the near future.

4-bus mixer control panel layout

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:47:50 +0000

It’s been way too long since I posted on the site. Mainly because I have several project that are in full speed and I thought I’d just wait to finish them and do one massive post. I’ll do that, and hopefully within the next couple weeks. Today I’m finalizing the panel layout on the 4 bus passive mixer. The circuit and the case is built. Now I’m ready to drill, paint, label and finish the control panel.

the panel layout / drill template for the mixer

Photos - studio/recording

admin — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 03:54:50 +0000

It’s been a while since my last post but there has been a lot in the works. Several new devices are in progress and should wrap up within the next couple weeks. Until those are ready to reveal I thought I share some pics from the studio and the recording that has been happening lately. Enjoy…

Click here for the full gallery

Synconics Drums service manual download.

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:24:43 +0000

Finally getting around to upening up the Synconics Drums. Unfortunately, they have not been functioning properly. Found this handy link with the service manual and will begin trouble shooting later tonight.

Service maunal.

Drum Triggers DIY

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:21:09 +0000

Handy link for anyone interested in making up a set of drum triggers. Wire it up to trigger some of your toys.

Drum Triggers DIY.

Mini Wedge Amplifier - complete

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:02:20 +0000

Completed a new amplifier project this week. I found a few mini wedge speaker boxes in storage and thought they would make good enclosure for a portable amplifier. This is a 15 watt amp with tone controls, dual inputs, and it’s packaged in a extremely rugged and travel worthy box.

The mini wedge amp, ready to rock.

I’m currently building a couple more of these with the extra boxes I have. If you’re interested in owning one of these drop me a line and let me know.

The control panel close up

More details about this amplifier

Sample Packs are here - Bit-Crushing Looper percussive samples for download.

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:33:20 +0000

One of the main motivations for experimenting and building new sound devices was to create original sounds that I could then trigger from a sampler and electronic drum kit during live performances. I was never satisfied with basic stock drum sounds that came pre-loaded onto most drum modules and samplers. I ended up having to run them through a plethora of effects pedals and plug-ins, re-sampling them and importing into what ever module I was triggering from. Beyond that, I thought why not just create sounds that no one has ever heard and that come from a completely experimental and organic creative process. For the time being, I’ve decided to make a batch of these samples available for download to the public free of charge and without copyright restrictions. Use them as you see fit. I hope they will be a source of inspiration in whatever sound projects your are creating. If you do happen to use these in projects I’d love to hear how you’ve used them and what you think of the sample pack in general. If I get a lot of positive response I’ll continue to make more samples of other devices available.

These first sample packs are from the Bit-Crushing Looper device. They are short percussive samples that were created by sampling different sources into the device, re-sampling them internally and then recording them. Then are then sliced up and exported at 44.1khz mono .wav files. They are very lo-fi, dirty and grungy and are perfect for glitchy, IDM style tracks or however you see fit. Perfect for using in drum sequencers, samplers, and triggers. Around 150 individual samples in these packs.

Here’s a quick sequenced demo track using some of the sounds available in the pack. These are the raw sample sounds. They ave not been modified with any effects.

Percussive samples demo

Bit-Crushing Looper percussive pack 1 - Beat Box samples

Bit-Crushing Looper percussive pack 2 - Casio Sk-1 samples

New Year = New UC workspace

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:55:57 +0000

Decided to kick off the year by getting the main workspace de-cluttered and organized. Trying to make room for storage of completed projects and projects that are upcoming.

The electronics lab. Yes, this is clean and organized.

Couple things you aren’t seeing in this photo…. Directly to the left of the camera is my “in progress” stack which is a pile of small boxes that each contain a project that it’s in production. Directly behind the camera is the music studio. Drum sets, amps, mixer, mics, speakers, guitars, etc. are set up and ready to record. Needless to say a lot is in the works…. updates soon.

New toy in the works - Fisher-Price microphone tape recorder

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:34:11 +0000

Thank you Jessica, for the donation. I’ve messed around with similar devices with some fun results. Stay tuned for noise.