In this video, I show what the completed projects from Chapter 7 should look like.

Errata:
Project 5 parts list – Optional caps C4 and C5 are shown in the schematic and breadboard layouts, but not listed in the parts list. Both should be .01 uF

The post My 555 Book, Chpt. 7 recap: Audible Anarchy with the Atari Punk Console appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

In this video, I show what the completed projects from Chapter 6 should look like.

Buy the book here.
Buy the complete parts kit here.

The post My 555 Book, Chpt. 6 recap: More Mode Mixing appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

In this video, I show what the completed projects from Chapter 5 should look like.

Buy the book here.
Buy the complete parts kit here.

The post My 555 Book, Chpt. 5 recap: Mixing Modes appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

Things have been a little quiet on the blog, but behind the scenes, I’ve been a writing/editing/formatting/coding/building/designing/marketing/coffee-drinking machine! Two years ago I had an idea to write an e-book about the 555 timer. That has now manifested itself into a full-blown print book, Kindle book, and a complete parts kit for the projects listed inside.

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to the 555 Timer: Build the Atari Punk Console and Other Breadboard Electronics Projects. Yes, it’s a mouthful, but it gets the entire scope of the book across in the title.

The book is available on Amazon here.

I also collaborated with Jameco to assemble a full parts kit with all of the components required to complete the projects listed in the book. The parts kit is available from Jameco here.

The official homepage for the book, which will include videos of each chapter and project in the book, plus much more, is here: bent-tronics.com/555-timer-circuit-book

Check out this video of me opening up the book and kit for the first time and a quick overview of each.

Here’s the Amazon blurb:
Unlock weird noises, hypnotic lights, and master the 555 timer.
Buy the print version of this book first to get the Kindle version for just $0.99! (not available in all countries)
This fast-paced, easy-to-follow book teaches you how the 555 timer works with step-by-step instructions and hands-on projects. Whether you are an electronics enthusiast or a beginner, this DIY guide shares simple tricks and hacks to put the 555 timer into action. FULL-COLOR illustrations show you how to transform circuit schematics into real-world working examples on a standard breadboard – no soldering required! High-resolution oscilloscope screenshots reveal detailed views of complex waveforms not able to be seen with the human eye. Advance your skills by completing the included projects so that you can create your own unique designs. A complete parts kit is available too!
You will learn how to:

• Use a breadboard
• Utilize the 555’s pins
• Trigger “one-shot” mode
• Blink an LED
• Generate noises with an oscillator
• Create a frequency divider
• Make a bistable flip-flop
• Source and sink current
• Build and understand the Atari Punk Console

The post My new book: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to the 555 Timer appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

I got my first miniAtmegatron (I have two as of now) about a year ago. I have to admit after I put it together and made this video of the assembly and a quick run through of its sounds, I let it sit a while. Part of the reason I let it sit was that it didn’t have any type of “Getting Started” guide, or even a manual (beyond the small 2-page pamphlet that named the Functions).

After making a video about the new case for the miniAtmegatron, I decided to make a video getting into some of its more in-depth features. Coincidentally, when I had a few questions for the synth’s creator Paul Soulsby, he mentioned he was working on a proper manual for the miniAtmegatron and sent me an advanced copy.

So check out my video below, and be sure to keep watch at the Soulsby Synthesizers website for the new manual.

Let me know what you think of the miniAtmegatron’s capabilities and sounds in the comments below.

The post Video: miniAtmegatron Demo & Sneak Peek at the New Improved Manual appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

Here’s a video of me assembling the case for the miniAtmegatron, which can be found here at the Soulsby Synthesizers site for about $20.

Click here to read my blog post and watch a video of the assembly and quick demo of the miniAtmegatron itself.

What do you think of the case? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Video: miniAtmegatron Case: Assembly & Overview appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

However, they don’t call it a synth. The bitRanger from the very unique Bastl Instruments is billed as “a patchable analog logic computer.” Now then, said analog computer “sculpts sonic worlds ranging from data noise to melodic arpeggios.” So, yeah, it’s a synth, and a very patchable one at that!

With over 100 patch points (118 to be exact), some labeled Divider Bits, BYTE CV, DATA modulation, and even Adventure Bits, the bitRanger begs to be experimented with.

One of the synth’s main designers is Peter Edward from Casper Electronics fame. Like me, Peter used to be really into the circuit bending scene, and that’s exactly what the bitRanger reminds me of – a factory bendable synthesizer. Only without all the soldering, drilling, mounting of connectors/switches, and then hopefully finding a few useful bend points.

The bitRanger was designed to play nicely with other gear too. CV in/out, Clock in/out, just to name a couple, and the video even states “interfaces great with Eurorack modular synths thru 5 compatible connectors.” It can even be used as an algorithmic CV/GATE pattern generator.

The price is listed as €222.00 (about $250 US) and a ship date of June 2016.

I can easily see this as part of a portable experimental/noise/drone setup, or even as a funky source for inspiration in the studio.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Announcing bitRanger, a weird handheld modular synth crammed with over 100 patch points appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

Arcano Systems is no stranger to the Kickstarter game, with three out of four funded campaigns under their belt. Their newest project, the Arcano MIDI NES Chiptune Synth II, hit its goal in less than 48 hours and still has 19 more days to go.

This second version’s hardware and software includes improvements such as:

• more polyphony
• more waveforms
• more patches
• greater bass range
• improved volume envelope system for reduced latency
• linearized vibrato depth
• improved Mega-Man-II-style two-channel echo patches
• USB power
• lower parts count
• filtered audio output (low-pass filter with fixed cutoff frequency)
• better audio signal DC-bias removal

The post Introducing a new and improved 8bit MIDI NES Chiptune Synth appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

I have written about previous successful Kickstarter projects from Arcano Systems before, but unlike those, Gem-8 covers more than just retro sounds. Some features include:

• 256 VGA video out
• Audio out: 8-bit-quantized line out (standard stereo connector with the same signal in both channels)
• PS/2 keyboard input
• 16kB RAM
• WiFi expansion card
• MIDI expansion card
• 8 channels of GPIO
• Ability to expand its uses via software and hardware

The WiFi card allows Gem-8 to connect to the internet using the preloaded serial terminal application. Gem-8 is particularly well suited to accessing online multi-user domains, text-based multiplayer online games, and bulletin board services that use the Telnet protocol. The MIDI interface peripheral connects a MIDI keyboard or other MIDI musical instrument to the Gem-8 computer, allowing users to create their own C64 and NES-video-game-style chiptune music using the preloaded chiptune synthesizer application. The Gem-8 chiptune synthesizer application also features video synth visualization capabilities. Currently, the Gem-8 synthesizer software features 8 waveforms and 4 effects settings for a total of 32 unique patches.

There will even be an option for a kit to solder up. Check out their Kickstarter campaign here. It certainly seems like this could scratch that retro PC itch. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.

The post Arcano Systems releases Gem-8, a Retro 8-bit, WiFi-enabled computer and chiptune music synthesizer appeared first on Bent-Tronics.

After a year hiatus, not only is Moogfest back for 2016 but so is their popular Circuit Bending Challenge.

Past years have had certain themes or requirements for entry into the challenge, and this year does too, however it seems pretty standard.

• The device you bend must be battery operated with a power supply no greater than 9 volts.

• Your project must be completed for a total cost of $70 or less. This includes the device you bend and all parts you use to bend it.

• You’ll need to create a Bill of Materials, Build Instructions, and Photos sequencing the build step by step.

Once you’ve created your instrument, create and upload a video to YouTube and title it “Moog Circuit Bending Challenge 2016.” Send an email with the subject Moog Circuit Bending Challenge 2016 to circuitbending@moogfest.com with your Build Of Materials, Photos, and the YouTube link to your entry. Your video will be evaluated by Moog and its staff, and three finalists will be chosen. Audio quality and concise editing will be taken into consideration. The better you document, the better we can judge.

The deadline for this year’s entries is Midnight EST on March 27th, 2016. Prizes include a Moog Sub 37, Moog Sub Phatty, and Moog Minataur.

Here’s a link to some of the more popular videos of past entries.

More information and official rules can be found here. Are you going to enter? If so, let me know in the comments.

The post The Moogfest Circuit Bending Challenge is back for 2016 appeared first on Bent-Tronics.