Simaha – from Bent // Broken 2023

Bent // Broken 2023 was amazing! Lots of great circuit-bent artists from all over the world, doing what they do in new and unusual ways. Big shout out to Echo Lightwave Unspeakable for hosting and curating the event. My submission can be found below. More performers can be found on YouTube.

Hydrophone tests at the mouth of San Gabriel River

I had experimented with contact mics and water before, sort of quasi-hydrophone. It worked ok as long there was some sort of current or splashing, running water, etc. The results were not great, even after upgrading my personal contact mics to a balanced design using dual piezos. Enter the amazing “Let’s build some world-class hydrophones” … Read more

Sound Urchin videos

POTAR Design Devices Super Sound Urchin in orange with orange decal

The Sound Urchin is an electro-acoustic instrument that creates off-kilter sounds, atmospheres, and ambiance based on vibration. The entire instrument acts like a pickup and will amplify just about anything it sits on. It can be plucked, strummed, thumped, and “played” in many ways. You are only limited by your own imagination. What are other … Read more

Stereo phono preamp using JAN 6418 tubes

Here is a nice little stereo phono preamp using a pair of JAN 6418 subminiature tubes. This design uses very few components and adds a nice bit of extra oomph and tube tone sparkle to your input signal. I have tested on turntables and cassette decks with great results. Using an IC7660s as a charge … Read more

Modified DOD FX70 Stereo Flanger

DOD stereo flanger mods

I have had this old DOD Flanger kicking around in my parts box for about 10 years. I finally got around to testing the mods on it, and WOW! It’s a killer. From added LFO tones and noise to delay-like repeats The mods are pretty simple, you replace the 3 internal trim pots with comparable-value … Read more

POTAR Design Devices