Music Hackspace Circuit Bending Workshop with Tasos Stamou

Music Hackspace presents three days of workshops introducing the art and techniques of circuit bending with instrument and toy hacker, Tasos Stamou. These workshops, which can be attended independently or in unison to make an intense circuit bending course, will introduce participants to musical circuits and how to hack them, with all materials provided and no prior experience with electronics necessary. A great opportunity to learn, design, recycle old toys and instruments, and leave with a bespoke instrument.   

The workshops aim to lead the participants along different stages of DIY electronic music instrument construction. Research, hack, design and make your own DIY synth interface and own a unique piece of circuit bent art. The workshop will be completed in three meetings, although it is not obligatory to attend all, since each day will focus in different parameters of the circuit bending process. Although it is not necessary to follow all, it is highly recommended to attend the complete course in case you wish to have a complete circuit bending experience.

Days 1 and 2 will be held at Somerset House Studios on the 16 and 17 of September. Day 3 will be held on September 23 at London College of Communication in Elephant and Castle as part of Design Weekend. You can read descriptions of each day and purchase either a one day, two day or three day pass below. If you buy a one or two day pass, we’ll be in touch to confirm which day(s) you want to attend.

One day pass (£65)

Two day pass (£110)

Three day pass (£150)

DAY 1
Participants will be introduced in the art of circuit bending, including all necessary tricks, tips and techniques to hack simple sound electronics.

The workshop provides an introduction to modifying techniques and alternative electronic instrument designs. It is suitable for beginners as well as to more experienced hackers and sound explorers to push forward their ideas and projects of innovative sound interfaces.

– Learn the necessary techniques to turn hackable sound toys into useful sound devices and electronic instruments

– Practical, hands-on workshop, including all tips to the most easy and effective modifications, also presenting musicians who utilize handmade and hacked instruments.

– Everyone is welcome to bring their own electronic devices for bending, otherwise hackable toys will be provided from a large selection. Please contact us with any questions regarding “hackability” of your own

DAY 2
This workshop will focus on adding external controls to the hacked instruments. Participants will learn how to control their instruments with a variety of different possibilities, using passive or active components.

Descriptions will be given in adding filters, sensors, LEDs, analogue video applications, connections with USB interfaces (Arduino), adding voltage controls for connecting with modular synthesizers, etc.

All materials and instruments included. There will be a variety of different devices and enclosures to select from.

DAY 3 
As part of the Design Weekend held at the LCC, this workshop will focus in designing interfaces for circuit bent, hacked and other sorts of DIY electronic music projects (and beyond sound). Using mainly enclosures from recycled gear and other materials, the participants will learn how to design, to make and to use electronic interfaces. The workshop will present and explain all the mechanical pats of an electronic instrument and will lead the participants into simple but effective solutions to built their own devices. An eclectic selection of enclosures and other material will be included.

Tasos Stamou is an electroacoustic music composer and performer, alternative electronic music instrument maker, tutor and sound technologist. He has been collaborating with music/tech communities (Hackspace London & Music Hackspace, Watermans Art Centre, STPLN in Malmö, etc.) and has been leading workshops in various organizations and festivals across Europe (Green Man Festival, Athens Digital Arts Festival, CologneOFF VIII, Digital Performance Weekender etc).

The venue is located on the ground floor of Somerset House and is fully wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet. If you have any other access requirements, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate them.

If you have any questions about this event or any of our workshops please contact workshops@musichackspace.org.