Circuit Bent Casio SA-8

[samspike]

Here is my SA-8

This is from memory, so may contain minor errors:

Top Row: Jack out, Volume Knob, Reset button, Internal Speaker on/off, Power Led, 6V power in

Second Row: Feedback Knob, Feedback Amount, 5th (on/off/on), Distortion, Distortion Knob, Glitch, Glitch Knob

Third Row: Cowbell (extra sound), Extra demo 1, Extra Demo 2, Extra Demo 3 (currently incorrectly wired?)

Fourth Row: Hidden sound buttons (allows 100 sounds in conjunction with pre-existing blue buttons - instead of just 25)



This instrument features extensively on my forthcoming track, Vive la Difference, which I hope to release in next few days.

 

[dgatwood]

So this mod provides more cowbell.

 

[samspike]

Yes it does. After all everything needs more cowbell!

It actually provides even more cowbell that you would expect:

1. The Green button provides access to a hidden percussion sound - I think it's a lofi sample - of cowbell.

2. The Blue buttons provide access to 100 patches, which is the full range provided by the Oki chip, instead of the standard 25 that are normally available through the standard front panel.

One of the new patches it provides - is called "Cowbell/Claves" (I know the names of these hidden patches because they are not hidden on some other casios in the range). As you can probably guess, this is a synthesized Cowbell!


I'm sure you will be glad to know, the cowbell appears on my first song recorded with this monstrosity.

 

[samspike]

My song using this gadget is now out.

The Casio SA-8 is used in the intro, for a brief moment after the first chorus, and in the bridge/solo section after the 2nd verse. The bent sounds used are the feedback, the "sampled percussion" hidden sound patch with distortion (which doesn't sound like any percussion I've ever heard before), and, of course, cowbell (normally a hidden sound on the SA-8).

I will warn you before listening, it contains some swearing, so please don't listen if offended by this.

Vive la Difference (Warning: Swearing & Circuit Bending) by Violet Club

 

[diggy_dude]

I'm a Casio collector myself. I had three SA series models, but I only kept the SA-35 as a representative example of the line.

Are the new sounds "easter eggs" that you exposed, or are they from other chips that you added?