[sdiy] New (maybe old?) Circuit Bending technique

[Grant Richter]

"Circuit Bending" is a technique of connecting circuit points together that
were not originally designed to be connected. It usually produces chaotic
systems through feedback.

I first heard of it through Reed Ghazala and his "Incantors".

While goofing around with it, I was using Vactrols to acts as the jumpers
under voltage control. That way, all the LED can be connected in series and
controlled at the same time. But Vactrols are $3 each, ouch.

A cheaper way is to use Radio Shack photoresistors and put the whole circuit
board in a light proof box. That way a single flashlight bulb can be used to
vary all the photoresistors at once and save a bunch of money. A 555 timer
and VMOS trannie can be used to make a simple switching dimmer for an
incandescent flashlight bulb. Or a 25-100 ohm power rheostat in series with
the bulb, cheap and fun! Heck, you can leave it exposed and shade the
photoresistors with your hands. Wackitude, dude!

Now finding good circuit bending points is another problem.

This also works for prepatching, you can use the photoresistors like
patchcords and turn them on with one bulb. Dark resistance is usually more
than 10 megohms, which is sorta like an open circuit. Any residual effects
just add to the charm.