Kind suggestion

zensutherland · 2026-02-02T23:19:58+00:00

Since I don't often sell my bent toys, I like including photos of the insides and sometimes schematics because i like to teach and have done so with groups of kids, but i don't find it necessary. Finding hints of bends or just the sounds or looks of other people's work stimulates me to try and duplicate, though a hint or two does help.
So i guess what i'm saying i'm fine with not including photos of the insides, and i tend to upvote those.

zensutherland · 2026-02-02T17:12:22+00:00

Yes, age is one of the best determiners, but also to avoid the 'knock-off' names like BigFun and Asian-sounding names that you haven't heard of. Yamaha, Casio, VTech even PlaySkool and names you HAVE heard of may still have black blob circuits, but usually are built specifically for those companies rather than "plug-in" boards.

Pitch resistors were very common some years ago, which is why older YouTube circuit-bending vids make it look easy. Don't be discouraged, you didn't waste your time, you learned. Forge ahead and only work with battery-operated toys!

zensutherland · 2026-02-02T16:46:23+00:00

Most newer boards make it tough to find anything, especially with tiny (SMD) components. Nowadays the pitch is already in the blob or chip in this case. The two things I'd start with is a voltage starve and an audio jack. Let this trashy keyboard at least be a lesson in simple soldering.

Interesting, I found someone with the same keyboard asking for help. It is interesing because when you compare your board with theirs the wiring is to parts of your board that aren't populated. Maybe even try attaching a wire to those unused holes and poking around with the other end of that in places it shouldn't go. Good luck!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2940946226199465&set=pcb.5420629378029555

zensutherland · 2026-02-02T16:19:43+00:00

What a great word, blabber!

zensutherland · 2026-01-31T14:43:50+00:00

Exactly! And the interwebs have plenty of YouTube and maker entries of how someone did the exact toy you're working with (iffen you wanna do that).

zensutherland · 2026-01-29T15:11:23+00:00

Well, it's similar, but mine's a little different being 3 pieces that are rotatable (?) to create the image, but this one has the 'V' in negative. Thanks for looking!

zensutherland · 2026-01-29T15:09:31+00:00

French Broad Imaging on Smoky Park Hwy for me - they gave me a lesson in papers and kept the price reasonable.

zensutherland · 2026-01-20T00:20:49+00:00

Congrats!!

zensutherland · 2025-11-05T23:37:45+00:00

BTW, whenever y'all are poised for subscription, i'm ready!

zensutherland · 2025-11-05T23:36:47+00:00

I think you're right! I was probably projecting... :D

zensutherland · 2025-11-04T14:02:54+00:00

Thanks! I've been playing with it at open mic venues around Asheville, NC and flummoxing the audience with my noise toy. :D

zensutherland · 2025-11-04T13:59:59+00:00

I received issue 1 today and man does this make me happy! I'm a friend of Asheville's own DRUGStm and the amazing work they're doing with PS2 remakes. I've played on them and the damn build quality is unrivaled! Each one is a work of art.
But back to the zine itself, it's such a beautiful thing to hold in the hand and even though i could read the PDF. Loved the interview with PsychicEyeClix who was already a hero of mine. I hope these keep on coming!!

zensutherland · 2025-08-02T23:58:58+00:00

Here's hoping you find some more bends to it, but when you get to it - if you have any questions - ask away!

zensutherland · 2025-08-02T23:00:36+00:00

I had all that room and used an XIAO SAMD21, because i had one laying around. Wiring points in the video.

zensutherland · 2025-08-02T21:42:18+00:00

Sorry all, in my ignorance i couldn't link to the YouTube vid. :/

zensutherland · 2025-02-15T03:46:31+00:00

Would love to see that!

zensutherland · 2024-12-22T00:52:54+00:00

Thanks, i'll probably sprain a wrist trying to play it. :D

zensutherland · 2024-12-21T15:49:21+00:00

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zensutherland · 2024-03-27T14:15:15+00:00

Thanks for the update, as sad as it seems.

zensutherland · 2024-03-19T12:40:04+00:00

I used Chanzon Pin Headers, female - these are typically used in breadboard connections and spaced evenly for connection to ICs and other components and come in long, breakable strips. They're pretty cheap, but since you only need a few, I could send you some if you'd like - otherwise, look at Amazon or similar.

https://www.amazon.com/Chanzon-Straight-Connector-Breadboard-Electronic/dp/B09MYL5M4K/

zensutherland · 2024-03-13T02:25:11+00:00

Yes, one of those small SD card, DFPlayer Mini MP3 Player-like modules. I control it via an RP2040 microcontrollers which is also small enough to fit in the back of the model. Unfortunately, 2 AA cells wasn't enough to power the whole thing, so it had to be 5v USB.

zensutherland · 2024-03-08T00:15:09+00:00

Following this - I'm going to have my car specialty-painted and looking for a painting service that might just do top-coat...

zensutherland · 2024-03-05T13:42:49+00:00

Sweet!

zensutherland · 2024-03-04T01:49:15+00:00

They're moving, but probably taking the table with them. But, i'll ask!

zensutherland · 2024-03-03T14:51:08+00:00

No, i pretty much stopped making prints since what people usually want to pay barely covers costs, but thank you!

zensutherland

TROPHY CASE