Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Dive into the world of sonic exploration with the Circuit-bent Speak n' Spell, an inventive twist on the classic educational toy. Originally designed to teach spelling and pronunciation, this device is now a coveted tool for musicians and sound designers seeking unique, glitchy tones. Circuit bending adds new pathways to its internal circuitry, allowing for the creation of unexpected and often chaotic sounds. This reimagined gadget is perfect for those who wish to experiment with unconventional audio textures.

The Speak n' Spell's original design includes a simple interface with a membrane keypad and a small speaker, but its circuit-bent version unlocks a new realm of possibilities. Whether it's creating eerie drone sounds, glitchy beats, or robotic vocal effects, this device offers a hands-on approach to manipulating sound. Its portability and battery-powered operation make it an ideal companion for on-the-go creativity and live performances.

Key Features:

  • Modified circuitry for unique sound manipulation
  • Original educational phrases and words, now with glitch effects
  • Membrane keypad for tactile interaction
  • Built-in speaker for immediate sound output
  • Battery-powered for portability and ease of use
  • Suitable for musicians, sound designers, and experimentalists seeking unconventional audio tools
Ron Millar

Ron Millar

Deadmau5 playing with a circuit bent Speak & Spell I gave him

Video thumbnail for Deadmau5 playing with a circuit bent Speak & Spell I gave him by Ron Millar

Deadmau5 playing with a circuit bent Speak & Spell I gave him

Ron Millar

Ron Millar

Video thumbnail for Circuit bent Speak and Spell circuit bending by punksynth

Circuit bent Speak and Spell circuit bending

punksynth

punksynth

Video thumbnail for circuit bent speak & spell by john_madere

circuit bent speak & spell

john_madere

john_madere

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Circuit-bent Speak n' Spell.

Mods and upgrades

  • Users suggest using a 500k linear pot with 50k trim pots for pitch control to prevent crashing at extreme settings.

    Source
  • Many Speak and Spell board variations allow interchangeable bends from similar models, expanding modification possibilities.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • A low pass filter can be added by using the speaker out wires, with a 10-ohm resistor suggested for the new line output.

    Source
  • Later Speak and Spell models may feature smaller boards, which could impact the complexity of modifications.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report different board variations exist, affecting the complexity of circuit bending.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Additional bends like distortion, slow speed, and glitchy loops can be explored based on different games and interactions.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Prices for Speak and Spell units have decreased over the past decade, making them more accessible for circuit-bending enthusiasts.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It’s noted that Speak & Spell shares interchangeable bends with other "Speak & __" models, offering a broader range of modification options.

    Source

Other

  • Reed Ghazala’s book is a key resource for circuit bending, offering detailed projects and insights specific to the Speak & Spell.

    Source

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jasonxcummings

Interesting and perplexing..

Still exploring this little gem...bought it on ebay a while back....havnt used it yet in any productions, but that will change :p

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Noel Hogan uses Circuit-bent Speak n' Spell

Noel Hogan

Guitarist

The Cranberries

...
Verified via Pinterest

Noel Hogan is shown using a circuit-bent Speak n' Spell in a Pinterest post by Jonathan B. Diaz Hernandez, detailing Hogan's guitar rig setup.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Circuit-bent Speak n' Spell, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

Show yours
matthew_shelley

matthew_shelley

Gear IQ 214

Popular Music Gear

Avid Pro Tools

$225.00 - $599.00

# 1

Rank

Josh Homme Billie Joe Armstrong John Mayer
488 artists using
See also:

Similar