The MidiTron is a MIDI to real-world interface designed to simplify the process of creating sensor and robotics based electronic art projects. It is easily user configurable and provides 20 terminals of digital and analog inputs and outputs in any combination.
MidiTron is bi-directional. Sensor inputs are converted to MIDI output messages, and MIDI input messages […]

The Squarecave is a cool synth DIY project by Logan Williams, a high school student from Newport, Oregon.
The Squarecave is a hybrid digital and analog music synthesizer. It uses digital CMOS ICs to generate a sequence of oscillations of varying pitch and volume, and then pipes the result through analog filters (lo-pass, hi-pass, band-pass).
Visit his […]

 

 Squarecave Demo [4:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Inventive Guy Mike Disher has created a series of beautiful translucent turntables:
Turntables and mechanical watch and clock movements fascinate me. I view them as functional pieces of kinetic art. I based my turntable design on the legendary Rega P3, and I created a new, custom acrylic plinth and a set of feet. I also […]

Komega has introduced a bizarre DIY MIDI controller - the Kromatron.
On first glance, it looks like a Keytar. Look closer, though, and there aren’t any keys!
The Kromatron is built specifically to interface with modern audio performance software such as Ableton Live. It has 4 knobs, 2 faders, a two-axis joystick, and 8 buttons.
The device […]

LadyAda, aka Limor Fried, has a new DIY kit, the Boarduino Arduino clone.
If you’ve ever struggled to use a solderless breadboard with an Arduino, you understand how frustrating it can be! I designed this Arduino clone to solve this problem in an inexpensive DIY fashion. Kits with all parts are available in the Adafruit webshop […]

You’ve probably seen GameBoys used to create 8-Bit music, but have you seen a GameBoy Drum Machine?
kBANG ver 01 uses the new GameBrain cartridge, using SMD technology with 1 megabyte Flash and 16 out 8 in ports.

Promised with the ext release: speed control, save patch and mute channel - this was done in a week […]

Cool new DIY arcade-style DJ controller by Prevolt:
This is what I’m using to control Ableton now. All arcade hardware, aluminum top panel by FPE, and a nice wood case courtesy of my man Michael Yates. It uses all key commands through a custom driver to handle playback, effects, editing, warping, UI, mouse clicks, scroll messages, […]

This is sort of stupidtacular, but at least it can handle the Prodigy.
Here’s how it works:
A hard drive voice coil circuit is hacked to allow it to be directly connected to a stereo output. This allows audio to move the hard drive read write head. Mirrors are positioned on the center of the platter […]

Circuit bending is the process of creatively short-circuiting cheap electronic devices such as guitar effects, children’s toys and synthesizers to create new musical instruments and sound generators.
If you’re not familiar with it, you might want to check out this short preview for the circuit bending documentary by Derek Sajbel. The video features Q.R. Ghazala, Nebula […]

If you’ve seen images of Monolake performing, you may have wondered about the unique instrument he uses, the Monodeck II:
In this video, Monolake jams with the Monodeck II:

Monolake, aka Robert Henke, uses a custom MIDI controller, along with Max, to control Ableton Live. He calls the Monodeck II “an industrial grade prototype.”
Here’s Henke’s story of […]

On Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3, 2007, Egnater is offering a two day DIY Amp Build Seminar. The classes are held at Egnater World Headquarters in Berkley, Michigan located just north of Detroit (Rock City).
This is an cool opportunity for anyone interested in learning about how amps work.
When you sign up for the […]

SonicBirth, a Mac OS X app for for constructing VST and AU plug-in instruments and sound processors, is now free and open source:
SonicBirth is now freeware, and open source (GPL). We are looking for developer to further work on and enhance SonicBirth. Work for the major version of SonicBirth is starting. This next version will […]

Teuthis has several kits and parts available for making your own MP3 player.
The Super-Simple MP3 Player is based on the PIC 16LF877, with plenty of processor time to spare. There is a bare bones assembly version, and a new C version with more features and stability.
It uses compact flash cards up to over 100 gigabytes […]

Times and places for the 2007 Bent Festivals have been announced:

Los Angeles - April 12-14, 2007
Minneapolis - April 19-21, 2007
New York City - April 26-28, 2007

Each year, The Tank invites benders from across the country and around the globe to perform concerts with their circuit bent instruments, to teach workshops to adults and children alike, […]

Metku Mods, a hardware modding site, has an interesting step-by-step photo essay on modding a Casio CTK 530 keyboard.
Why spend hours turning a cheesy Casio keyboard into a control keyboard that only offers limited control? Here’s modder Jani Pönkkö’s reason:
When not modding, I usually compose some music. As an input device for the music software, […]