4ms Circuit bent Bend matrix (Joytoy version) midi I/O

via this auction

"Bend Matrix from 4ms factory. This one was custom build by Dann Green himself. It has the classic two parts matrix hardwired to circuit bent toys producing some infinite possibilities of bent sequences. Several modes are added for extra flexibility : record sequence, different modes of bent sounds (effects, notes, drum parts). Rare enough on those art piece is a midi out and midi in (!) to sync the Bend Matrix to some other midi gear.

Here you can see me use it with a Flame midi talking synth : more vids (theau playing the ghostmatrix).



On my youtube channel you can see some more videos of it in action (build in sounds used). Here is my channel : http://www.youtube.com/user/theau61?feature=mhw4

The bend matrix is powered with 9V DC PSU and comes with a custom instruction manual.

More info on the Bend Matrix : http://4mspedals.com/bendmatrix.php

what is the bend matrix?
the bend matrix is a midi sequencer for circuit bent projects
...a dynamic tool to store and recall your analog synth patches
...a microcontroller brain that leeches onto a host circuit
...a signal router/mixer that can be played like an instrument and patched to your other midi gear
...an octophonic surround-sound system controller for routing and spinning 4 inputs to 8 outputs
...a circuit bending controller for live performance, e.g. turn a thrift-store kids keyboard into an arpeggiating, sequenced, midi-controlled player piano (forget squinting over a pcb with an alligator clip in the dark trying to find your glitch point!)
...an automatic patch-bay and sequencer with real-time analog controls: strobe, arp, gloob, random.
...a meta-instrument: play the playing of other sound-makers, routing them into each other, multiple outputs/effects, programming and saving patches

what does the bend matrix do?
connect/disconnect glitch points within an external circuit-bent device (two separate 4x4 matrices or one single 4x8 matrix)
connect/disconnect/route audio inputs into multiple outputs (4 inputs=>8 outputs or 8=>4)
act as a patch matrix for modular synthesizers, or other cv/signal routing
store up to 128 "patches" in memory (memory is held even when power is disconnected)
sequence the 128 stored patches at specified bpm (2 - 2000 bpm)
generate random patches
apply effects to the current patch (or sequence of patches) using analog controls: randomization, arpeggiation, strobing, gloobing.
inputs midi note/cc commands, so you can program your patches and sequences using standard midi gear
outputs midi note/cc commands, so you can use the bend matrix to sync up to other midi gear (video effects, etc...)

how might i use it?
a. circuit bending
add midi in/out to your circuit bent projects
program/save/recall patches of bend points
sequence trigger points to essentially convert any sound generating device into a player piano
real-time analog controls (joystick, knobs, photocells) provide special effects/glitching/strobing/arpeggiation and randomization

b. effect switching/re-ordering
change effect ordering and routings on the fly: store up to 8 patches per bank, with 16 banks
series, parallel, and series-parallel configurations possible
sequence your effect changes, so you can simply hit "next" after each song and the next effect ordering
up to 4 effects in any order and combination of in/out of the loop
dynamic re-routing
external stomp switches and rack-mounting optionally available.

c. modular synthesizers
patch synth modules together using a central button matrix to control routings
save/recall patches, (8 per bank, 16 total banks = 128 patches)
sequence patches within banks, sequence playback of multiple banks
split matrix functionality allows one half to control patches (e.g. lfo->vcf, adsr->vca, etc) while the other half can send midi note commands or make

d. art installations
flexible configuration allows a variety of sound sources and amplifiers to be dynamically routed (16 total bi-directional ports: e.g 4 inputs => 8 outputs, or two separate 4 in => 4 out...)
route trigger/sensor/microphone signals to various processing devices
outputs can trigger lights, sounds, motion, anything that runs on electrical power (use your imagination!)
customizable matrix size and configurations available

additional notes:
the photocell modification adds four light-sensitive photocells, each with an enable switch. the photocell overrides use of the knob for real-time effects.
the trigger input jacks include step ahead, step back and play/pause. this versatile input accepts cv, audio or any line signal.

9vdc powersupply included (120/240v).
2mm aluminum panel 12" x 10" on aluminum box (2" tall)."

4ms Pedals Bend Matrix

via this auction

"The complete Bend Matrix. Selectable 4x8 Matrix or Dual 2x4. Four analog real-time controls and 16 effects, MIDI in/out. Sixteen 1/4" jacks, sixteen 1/8" jacks. Sixteen banks of 8 patches each, with sequencer and long-term memory. Suitable for controlling circuit bent instruments, patching modular synths, routing effects/signals/video/etc. MIDI functionality can be custom programmed to your needs (note on/off, CC, pitchwheel)

what is the bend matrix?
the bend matrix is a midi sequencer for circuit bent projects
...a dynamic tool to store and recall your analog synth patches
...a microcontroller brain that leeches onto a host circuit
...a signal router/mixer that can be played like an instrument and patched to your other midi gear
...an octophonic surround-sound system controller for routing and spinning 4 inputs to 8 outputs
...a circuit bending controller for live performance, e.g. turn a thrift-store kids keyboard into an arpeggiating, sequenced, midi-controlled player piano (forget squinting over a pcb with an alligator clip in the dark trying to find your glitch point!)
...an automatic patch-bay and sequencer with real-time analog controls: strobe, arp, gloob, random.
...a meta-instrument: play the playing of other sound-makers, routing them into each other, multiple outputs/effects, programming and saving patches

what does the bend matrix do?
connect/disconnect glitch points within an external circuit-bent device (two separate 4x4 matrices or one single 4x8 matrix)
connect/disconnect/route audio inputs into multiple outputs (4 inputs=>8 outputs or 8=>4)
act as a patch matrix for modular synthesizers, or other cv/signal routing
store up to 128 "patches" in memory (memory is held even when power is disconnected)
sequence the 128 stored patches at specified bpm (2 - 2000 bpm)
generate random patches
apply effects to the current patch (or sequence of patches) using analog controls: randomization, arpeggiation, strobing, gloobing.
inputs midi note/cc commands, so you can program your patches and sequences using standard midi gear
outputs midi note/cc commands, so you can use the bend matrix to sync up to other midi gear (video effects, etc...)

how might i use it?
a. circuit bending
add midi in/out to your circuit bent projects
program/save/recall patches of bend points
sequence trigger points to essentially convert any sound generating device into a player piano
real-time analog controls (joystick, knobs, photocells) provide special effects/glitching/strobing/arpeggiation and randomization


b. effect switching/re-ordering
change effect ordering and routings on the fly: store up to 8 patches per bank, with 16 banks
series, parallel, and series-parallel configurations possible
sequence your effect changes, so you can simply hit "next" after each song and the next effect ordering up to 4 effects in any order and combination of in/out of the loop
dynamic re-routing
external stomp switches and rack-mounting optionally available.


c. modular synthesizers
patch synth modules together using a central button matrix to control routings
save/recall patches, (8 per bank, 16 total banks = 128 patches)
sequence patches within banks, sequence playback of multiple banks
split matrix functionality allows one half to control patches (e.g. lfo->vcf, adsr->vca, etc) while the other half can send midi note commands or make

d. art installations
flexible configuration allows a variety of sound sources and amplifiers to be dynamically routed (16 total bi-directional ports: e.g 4 inputs => 8 outputs, or two separate 4 in => 4 out...)
route trigger/sensor/microphone signals to various processing devices
outputs can trigger lights, sounds, motion, anything that runs on electrical power (use your imagination!) customizable matrix size and configurations available

9vdc powersupply required(not included) (120/240v).
2mm aluminum panel 12" x 10" on aluminum box (2" tall)."

4ms Bend Matrix, crazy sequencer

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction
Auction blurb: "what is the bend matrix? the bend matrix is a midi sequencer for circuit bent projects...a dynamic tool to store and recall your analog synth patches...a microcontroller brain that leeches onto a host circuit...a signal router/mixer that can be played like an instrument and patched to your other midi gear...an octophonic surround-sound system controller for routing and spinning 4 inputs to 8 outputs...a circuit bending controller for live performance, e.g. turn a thrift-store kids keyboard into an arpeggiating, sequenced, midi-controlled player piano (forget squinting over a pcb with an alligator clip in the dark trying to find your glitch point!)...an automatic patch-bay and sequencer with real-time analog controls: strobe, arp, gloob, random....a meta-instrument: play the playing of other sound-makers, routing them into each other, multiple outputs/effects, programming and saving patches what does the bend matrix do?

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Bend Matrix JOYTOY demo 1

YouTube via 4mspedals
"From http://www.4msPedals.com

Bend Matrix sequencer with a kiddie keyboard and a drum toy inside. The red matrix controls the keyboard and the green matrix controls the drum toy. This entire video is only a single 8-step patch, different knob effects are used to modulate the sound. Each toy has a variety of circuit-bending switches and knobs. Stereo internal speakers make this a super-portable glitch-core in a box!

It also has MIDI in/out which is not used here, but shown in other videos..."

Update: more vids:
Bend Matrix Toy Joy (simple loop)


Bend Matrix JoyToy Intro

circuitbenders.co.uk Circuit Bent AKAI S01 with 'Bend Bus' Switching Matrix

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

Audio demos at the auction and further below.

"For over a decade we have been creating and supplying aural havoc with rewired childrens toys, modified drum machines, abused samplers and audio insanity machines. Our instuments have featured in both DJ magazine and Future Music cover CD and we have supplied and modified custom machines for:

The Chemical Brothers, Factory Floor, Pedigree Cuts, Raiden (renegade hardware / Off Key records), The Plump DJ's, Jacknife Lee, Bloc Party, Twisted Records (Hallucinogen, Shpongle, OTT, Younger Brother etc), Howie Miura (Island / Def Jam), matrix22 (12 Inch Thumpers, Brick records), Groove Criminals, Sweet Noise, Noise Inc and many many more.

TODAYS VICTIM: AKAI S01 SAMPLE GRINDER

The fact that the Akai S01 exists at all is fairly baffling fact as to all intents and purposes it was obsolete before it was even released. A 16 bit mono sampler with 1MB of memory as standard expandable to a massive 2MB maximum, sampling at a maximum bandwidth of 32khz, with no storage options other than a floppy drive, with only one output and only a 3 figure numerical display to edit with. Even the rather odd addition of 2 MIDI in's doesn't save it from being a rather cofusing addition to the Akai range. EMU and Ensoniq must have been pissing themselves laughing when Akai released the S01 for £999 in 1993 (yes you did read that right - £999), but the S01 has the last laugh as our mods have taken its sound mangling possibilities way beyond any other rackmount sampler ever produced.

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MIDI Triwave with Bend Matrix Sequencer (part 1)

video upload by 4mspedals

"MIDI Triwave Picogenerator controlled by the sequencer on the Bend Matrix. Audio is from the Triwave only. Triwave is accepting MIDI Note on/off commands to generate pitches on the internal analogue oscillators, and is also being driven by it's own internal analogue LFOs. From 4ms Pedals"

MIDI Triwave (with Bend Matrix sequencer)

4ms Bend matrix and Jomox T-resonator feedback control

video upload by theau61

"Fun @ Musikgear. The more we use the T-resonator, the more we control precisely the feedbacks. Still dangerous unit for Live use but with time and experience the T-resonator can be really rewarding. The bend matrix comes from 4ms."

4ms Bend matrix and Jomox T-resonator feedback control part 2


"I love Rock and Roll..."

Bend Matrix Arpeggiation

YouTube via 4mspedals. click here and scroll for some prior videos.
"Bend Matrix driving a Casio keyboard over MIDI, using the ARP effect on the Bend Matrix to make loops. Each knob controls the speed of ARP on each of the four rows (forward/backwards). Each patch is a different set of 'chords'."

OP-X PRO-II: Trailer

YouTube via virtualoberheim | August 25, 2010

"http://www.sonicprojects.ch/

SonicProjects OP-X PRO-II software VSTi synth - the new flagship. Introduction trailer.

The soundtrack of the video trailer has been exclusively done with OP-X PRO-II and Steinberg Groove Agent for drums. No external effects or treatment (except for drums) have been used, mixing just included levels and pan. All involved sounds are factory presets of OP-X PRO-II.

Here's the entire list of the used presets and settings, in chronological order:

High Sweeps:
MATRIX BANK 9 SyncNotch Sweep FXPM

Deep Strings:
DEFAULT BANK 1 Matrix Softstrings II

LFO Pad:
MATRIX BANK 6 BP Stereomod Pad

Filter Effect:
EFFECTS BANK 15 Filtereffect Water Down

Deep Timpani Doublehit:
MATRIX BANK 88 Matrix Fmod Bumbs NS
BASS BANK 12 Signs Of Life Bass

Filter Selfreso Sweep:
EFFECTS BANK 14 Filtereffect Blobs (Envelope edited)

Warm Mono Sweeps:
SYNTHEX BANK 5 Synthex MM Sweep

Porta Squeak:
DEFAULT BANK 125 Sawsolo Ultra Wide Bend (Portamento set a bit slower)

Bass:
BASS BANK 1 Fretless Bass

Chord Strings:
DEFAULT BANK 1 Matrix Softstrings II
PADS BANK 2 Supersoft Slowmod Pad

Arpeggio:
ARPEGGIOS BANK 21 Jupiter Techno ARP

Porta Solo:
DEFAULT BANK 125 Sawsolo Ultra Wide Bend (Portamento set a bit slower)

Brass Stab:
BRASS BANK 13 Prophet Brass Stab

Prophet Sync Sweep:
DEFAULT BANK 60 Prophet Unisync II (Pitch Osc2 set higher)

Percussive Solo:
PROPHET BANK 76 Prophet Perc Solo

Portamento Chord:
OBERHEIM BANK 3 Poly Portamento (Portamento set a bit faster)

Sample Hold Pad:
SAMPLEHOLD BANK 3 Moving SH Arpeggio

Distorted Guitar Tone:
DEFAULT BANK 13 OB Rock Unison

Sync Solo:
DEFAULR BANK 15 OB Syncsolo Damped (Filter Sustain set higher)

Highpitch Downsweep:
DEFAULT BANK 125 Sawsolo Ultra Wide Bend

Slow Portamento Solo:
PROPHET BANK 33 Prophet Ultrawide Bend (Portamento set slower)


Drums:
Steinberg Groove Agent:
Hip-Hop Kick (eq boost: 100hz 14.4 dB low-shelf)
Hip-Hop Snare (pitch set deeper, a bit Reverb A)
Electro Hihat (a bit Cubase Double Delay 1/16 sync)

Tempo: 120bpm"

Bend Matrix circuit bending demonstration

YouTube via 4mspedals
"Bend Matrix demonstrating circuit bending use. Connected to points on a kid's thrift store keyboard. Demonstrates button matrix, sequencer, and "row" effect."

4ms BEND MATRIX

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

You can find demos of the 4ms BEND MATRIX in previous posts here.

"Banana and 1/4" version of this rare and weird cross point switcher, matrix, sequencer. Great condition and works flawlessly. Used this with CL and VTOL gear and as a bridge to a Moog modular. My system is shrinking and this goes unused. Includes manual and a 5V power supply. I used it with a 9V (center neg) supply, but those always disappeared from the studio.

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circuit bent YAMAHA RX17 DRUM MACHINE with percussion grinding switch matrix

via this auction

Demos below.

"RECYCLING NOISE SINCE 2001

For over 13 years we have been creating and supplying aural havoc with rewired childrens toys, modified drum machines, abused samplers and audio insanity machines. We have supplied and modified custom machines and sounds for:


The Chemical Brothers, Factory Floor, Senser, Nurse With Wound, BICEP, Yoad Nevo, Pedigree Cuts, Raiden, The Plump DJ's, Jacknife Lee, Bloc Party, Twisted Records (Hallucinogen, Shpongle, OTT, Younger Brother etc), Def Jam Records, Groove Criminals, Sweet Noise, Noise Inc and many many more.

TODAYS VICTIM: YAMAHA RX17

This has been hanging around for some time and we're sick of the sight of it, so its got to go! Bidding starts at 1p

Sometimes you might wonder why Yamaha released so many drum machines under the RX name that were so similar in many ways, and we don't have an answer for you, The Yamaha RX-17 was near the bottom of the RX range with only the RX21 and the dreadful preset only RX120 beneath it in terms of features. Having said that, when the RX17 has been circuit bent like this machine, it is capable of eating its older cousins such as the RX15 or RX11 for breakfast, dinner and any other meal you might care to mention!

The circuit bent RX17 has a kind of gentle savagery to it that you don't find on any other bent drum machine, as the sounds tend to be a little more crisp and separated, rather than mashed together in one terrifying wall of distorted glitching noise.

This machine includes a 24 way Bend Bus switching matrix that warps and glitches the onboard sounds in all manner of unlikely and disturbing ways. Each switch connects one bend point to the common 'bend bus' when activated. If you then use another switch to connect another bend point to the bend bus, these two bend points will interact with each other to create some of the most bizarre and extreme audio mangling effects you'll ever hear.

Each bend point has a different effect and will also change its effect depending on which other points its connected to at the time. You can activate as many switches as you want at any time, but you will need at least two switched on to activate any effect. Effects available range from what sounds like comb filters, ring modulation, bit crushing, distortion, bizarre time stretching, EQ, and what can only be described as audio smearing™.

The RX-17 seems especially good at shimmering ring mod and chopping effects on the high frequency sounds, along with unexpected percussion sequences on each drum hit i.e. the crash cymbal can start as a crash and then strangely morph into a clap, timbale or any / all of the other sounds in sequence. It also seems keen on creating looping within the sound sample, as if a short loop has been set up and the loop start point is moved along the sample as it plays back.

This machine will never be a punchy bass monster, but if you want a cheap source of some of the most bizarre circuit bent percussion sounds you'll ever hear, you won't go far wrong with a RX17.

The RX17 has 26 typically 80's Yamaha onboard sounds, with Midi in/out, and a pair of audio outputs. You can find a copy of the manual HERE, although its about as difficult to use as a toothbrush, so we doubt you'll need it.

Take a listen to the demos below to get an idea of the kind of sounds this machine can now produce. With none of the switches activated, it acts like a normal RX17."

4ms Pedals: Bend Matrix (x12)

flickr by Analogue Haven

"Dann from 4ms Pedals sent us this photo to show our shipment of Bend Matrix units coming later this week. We'll update our site when they get here. For now, check out more info via the 4ms Pedals site. LINK."

http://www.analoguehaven.com/

4ms Pedals Event in LA

via LaVa where you will find additional info.

"Join the LAVA crew for an evening of software and hardware demos by Ralph Barton and Dann Green (4ms Pedals) Marc Mcall (xnth). Afterward, stick around til 5am for music and DJ sets by Shane Hazleton, Justin (MC This), Bubblegum Shitface vs MkUltra, and Dr. Fun.

Marc Mcall will be showing his Xnth Visual Synthesizer (http://xnth.net), a MIDI enabled video mixing software system . He has been the resident VJ at the Avalon Nightclub in Hollywood for the past two years.

the_crew49Ralph Barton and Green of 4ms Pedals will demonstrate the Bend Matrix, a fully MIDI controllable automated patch bay with step sequencer." via the Big City Music Blog.

You might remember the Bend Matrix from these previous posts including video (scroll when you get there).

Bend Matrix diy

flickr by jooksi
(click for more)

"The great company 4ms offers pcb's and schematics fir all their products. I have built most of the pedals( awesome stuff!) and the bend matrix is soon finished. Will be interesting to try it!"

Dude plays Sidrassi & CocoQuantus

video upload by sduck409 on Jul 16, 2012

"On a recent visit to Dude's (Liam Cloyd) domicile, I filmed this brief performance/improv. Sound production is with a Ciat-Lombarde Sidrassi and a Cocoquantus, with some additional enhancements from a 4ms Bend Matrix, Moogerfooger LPF, and a Strymon Blue Sky and El Capistan. Sorry, only crappy mono camera mike audio. Copyright ®2012 Stephen Drake and Liam Cloyd."

I haven't had a post featuring the 4ms Bend Matrix in ages. I'm showing the last one on Aug 3, 2010. Click here and scroll for some posts.

Bend Matrix circuit bending detailed demo

YouTube via 4mspedals. follow-up to this post.
"Detailed Bend Matrix demonstrating circuit bending use. Connected to points on a kid's thrift store keyboard."

circuit bent alesis nanosynth by spunkytoofers

via this auction
"same archeticture and power of the alesis multi-timbral 64 voice quadrasynth keyboards and rackmount synths in the smallest footprint available. the nano and bent interface is housed in a compact 1u rackmount enclosure. one of my most favorite combinations in a bent synth: extremely crazy sounds with extremely stable bends. you'll be surprised at how powerful, musical, and smooth this small synth is. 620 onboard sounds (256 available from 2 banks on the front panel, the other 4 banks are available through midi program change) 1 user bank can be customized or uploaded with any bank available for the nano or q6. free bank downloads from the alesis website (i'll be compiling free banks to distrubute for the winner). great breath controller patches available as well via patchman. excellent legato, responds to midi effortlessly, very crazy sounds in this one.

one is being kept for personal use, this is the one made available for sale.

here are the modifcations:
-matrix style 24 point patchbay on chicken head rotary knobs

-4 switches for matrix switching of rotary knobs

-led lighting and steel bezels for matrix bend indication

-green color illuminated power rocker switch

-modified rca outputs with 1/4″ jacks

-replaced internal lithium battery and modified with a a clip instead of direct solder to battery

-added midi jacks (in and out/thru)

-banana jacks added to patchbay for external bend modulation possibilities

-internally shielded cables

-power input added. this allows the standard proprietary barrel size to be replaced by a more standard power supply size

-brand new power supply (with said standard barrel size above)

-nanosynth pdf manual and bend diagram emailed to purchaser

-sysex banks emailed to winner

the two following demos are of the circuit bent qsr. they are identical in archeticture and is basically the same synth. very similiar sounds.

first demo is a standard note triggering with no velocity or midi controllers. the second demo is a 4 bar drum pattern with a bend being applied every 2 bars."

circuit bent alesis qsr demo by spunkydoodle

circuit bent alesis qsr- 4 bar drum demo by spunkydoodle

ILAB Report: 4msPedals Bend Matrix (5aaasp)

YouTube via iloveanalogue
"This was the first time ILAB got to check out the Bend Matrix, a MIDI powered
analogue box that features sound generation from old 8-bit toys. More information
on it is available at http://4mspedals.com and the boxes are available for purchase from
http://analoguehaven.com
http://iloveanalogue.blogspot.com"

4MS Pedals BEND MATRIX vintage programmable sequencer for analog / digital synth

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Scienceforce

via this auction

"4MS Pedals BEND MATRIX vintage programmable sequencer for analog / digital synthesizers
It's an amazing sequencer, notes can be played thru lighted pushbuttons with a lot of complex combinations, between arpeggios, pendulum sequences, random etc etc...
It seems to be a 4MS prototype or early version with many banana and jacks CV Controls, not tested from me because I haven't here the right equipments and not enought experience for test all them, only tried with MIDI driving a Yamaha TX-802 expander.
There are four potentiometers for notes amounts, it can be used also with the builts in 4x Opto photocells ....that is a cool feature.
For manual check here"

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