Hi

There was an article in a magazine the other day that was about a company that converted old childrens toys (like "learn to spell" etc) into synths and music machines so to speak. Used by people like autechre and aphex twin. Anyone know a website for the company???

Any other links to weird syths would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Dan

No idea about the company. Try google.

I have this CD by Experimental Audio Research called 'Data Rape'. It was made with 8 modified TI Speak N Spell toys. It's kind of a harsh listening experience if you're not into Autechre or other glitch music.

Speaking of toys. I always wanted one of those small Casios with a vocoder. I've got my sights on a MicroKorg, if only my local dealer could get one, for demoing.

-tek

Maybe you meant this company www.alien-devices.com

I have a Roland TR-505. Maybe I should get it modified.

-tek

Cheers for the link. Just what I was after...looks like the future to me!!

If you listen to the Speak N Spells on that page, you can hear what the EAR CD sounds like.

-tek

I love circuit hacking . I go to thrift stores and buy Speak and Spells and toy keyboards and open them up . It's fun , plus if you run them through outboard effects , you get glitch music just from them alone . Delays , chorus , flangers , whatever you have laying around .
Yep Tek , the MicroKorg is an awesome machine . Once again Korg hit the mark dead on .

An interesting thread.

I must admit, I haven't heard of this kind of thing before.

From what I've heard so far, my favourite would have to be the modified Roland TR505.

It is called Circuit Bending and a google will yeild good results including history.

Also try Reed Ghazala