Hive Mind Synthesis
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DIY kits, synth gadgets, and circuit-bent instruments for modern-day synthing
OUR BESTSELLER
Pixie Dance Floor
18 HP Eurorack Synthesizer Experimentation Environment Module Kit
We have kits! Thanks to a rad partnership with our friends over at Sentient Synths. The Pixie Dance Floor gives you everything you need to start creating your own eurorack circuits, aside from the circuit itself! You get 2 100k pots, 2 switches, 6 jacks, and both 12v rails (with expansions in the works to add more jacks, knobs, switches, and even a 5v Rail!), with a power switch and 400 point breadboard so that you can design your own modules live in the rack.
There’s diode protection for the power rails so that you don’t send things backwards, and wide slots so that this can nestle into whatever 18hp you have available.
Hive Mind Synthesis handles the kit version, while you can order boards or prebuilt versions from Sentient Synths directly.
Be sure to join the Pixie Dance Floor community on Discord, where we discuss build ideas, expansions, and help each other troubleshoot and share our designs.
PRODUCT DETAILS
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18 HP Eurorack module Kit
Voltage Draw varies depending on the circuit you create
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Board, all components listed in BOM
An Icon Reborn
Bent
TR-505
Making Roland’s “Worst” Drum Machine WAY friggin’ better
Over 20 years in the making, the latest edition of the Bendmonger Circuit-bent TR-505 is finally here! You might recognize the sound from the Samples From Mars TR-505 sample pack, which was sampled from one of our earlier machines.
Often touted as Rolands “worst” drum machine, we’ve been working since 2001 to make it better, and this new set of upgrades is the best yet.
The latest, Knobcon-Exclusive edition of 5 starts by incorporating our must-have, proprietary TR-505/TR-626 Backlight upgrade kit, making those dark illegible displays a thing of the past.
We’ve added a set of 8 trigger outputs to allow you to use this machine as a trigger sequencer - or just as a pushbutton trigger device.
There’s also a 12-point pattern glitch matrix for mangling sequences, and a set of 6 switches for 64 possible combinations of audio/sound glitches.
On top of all that, you have global pitch control to take this machine from short blips and clicks to long washes of digital noise.
Bendmonger TR-505 walkthrough
PRODUCT DETAILS
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Modified Roland TR-505 Drum Machine
Modifications:
Backlit Display
New System Battery
8x Trigger Output
6x Audio Glitch Switch
12-Point Pattern Glitch Patchbay -
Modified TR-505
Power Supply
5x Dupont Cable for patchbay
Stickers and instructions
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The Original
Honey Solar
to CV box
for eurorack synth
This lil beauty takes sunlight and converts it to either positive or negative voltage (max +/- 5v) for use with eurorack synthesizers . It's completely passive - just plug in your cable and go! Excellent for tweaking cutoff and resonance, generative patches, and even for use with pitch and VCA to create a phototheremin!
PRODUCT DETAILS
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Size - 60x53x20mm (including switch)
Weight - 28g
Output Voltage - +/- 5v (max)
Voltage Draw - 0v (passive)
Handmade in Pennsylvania, USA
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Honey Solar CV Box
Super-cool Sticker
Only recycled and recyclable packaging used. -
Plug one end of a cable into Honey’s Jack
Plug the other end into a CV input on any thing with a CV input.
Use any light to generate signal. The switch lets you choose between positive or negative voltage.
Other Products
Limited Edition
Lunar Surface Blank Panels (series 2)
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A second run of 4 HP blank eurorack panel collection made from a 1969 National Geographic map of the lunar surface. Each panel is completely unique and retains the original paper feel of the map. Consecutively - numbered panels form larger images
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4HP eurorack Blank Panel
Handmade in Pennsylvania
Lunar Surface Blank Panels
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4 HP blank eurorack panel collection made from a 1969 National Geographic map of the lunar surface. Each panel is completely unique and retains the original paper feel of the map. Consecutively - numbered panels form larger images
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4HP eurorack Blank Panel
Handmade in Pennsylvania
Speak and Whatevers
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This latest, ultra-limited batch is done using the super-vintage (and rare) pushbutton version of the Speak & Spell, before Texas Instruments switched to the traditional membrane switch.
This functions, for the most part, as a standard Speak & Spell, with the addition of sound glitch, loop/drone, and pitch control switches.
There are also new membrane-key versions available, including the Speak and Math and Speak and Read machines.
These have a new custom keypad design in addition to all of the usual bends. -
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Original Speak and Whatever, with edits
Runs on 4 C batteries
Handmade in Pennsylvania
SYNTH MERCH & ACCESSORIES
Synthesis Merch
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We’ve got tees and hats for our own products, as well as lots of universal synth society in jokes and memes
Two-Tone Slim Slimline Eurorack Patch Cables
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Extremely flexible, durable, and low-profile, these two-tone cables will be easy to spot in even the busiest of patches
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TPE cable
Available in a large variety of sizes
The Rigsaw Puzzle - Modular Synth Patch Jigsaw Puzzle
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.: 16" x 20" - (500 pieces).
.: High-quality chipboard pieces with vibrant sublimated print
.: Recommended for ages 9 years and older
.: Packaged in a gift-ready paper box
.: Glossy finish
Creators
Groovy folks making groovy grooves with our kits.
Scott Danesi
Machine engineer by day, signal processor by night. Since the 90's he has been practicing his craft of learning the language of the machines (including Hive Mind’s bent creations) and earning their trust.
Heckseven
Heck is a beat machine, synth freak, and solder addict obsessed with filthy basslines, mega kicks, and the sound of a bent Speak & Whatever
Baywolf
Baywolf has been making computer music since Acidplanet and MP3.com were a thing. Today’s setup is a hybrid modular synthesis rig, encouraging infinite soundscape possibilities. Dark glitchy sounds, using Hive Mind Honey and light to open up a filter or a circuit bent speak and spell dropping glitched out vocals to help contribute to the chaos.
ABOUT US
Hey, I’m Mike!
I sweep the floors around here. Hive Mind Synthesis comes out of decades of repairing and modifying electronics in order to save them from the landfill. Now my mission is to provide useful, fun, affordable music making tools while doing as little damage to the earth as possible. This means being a Synthlord before being an Edgelord - It also means recycled and recyclable packaging, bioplastics when plastics are needed, and upcycled or recycled materials whenever possible - all while cultivating a community of experienced and brand new makers working together in synth. I design and construct most of our products and hand-package everything at my kitchen table.
I also make my own music as The Killer Bee Relay Team, and as half of Thicc Wiccans. You can find my pre-Hive Mind projects under the Bendmonger Instruments moniker.
Team/Collaborators
I'm Kyle!
I do things in the background - mostly being Mike's right hand man. I help with details, designs, builds, and promotion. We both found that we have a knack for using old and/or vintage items and see the potential in them to bring them into the future. Being artists from the same community for over 20 years has fostered a friendship and comradery that has blossomed into what the Hive Mind is today.
I also make music! Find links to all my works at www.djdoughy.com
FAQs
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On the internet mostly, but everything is constructed and ships from Pennsylvania, USA
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Probably! Hive Mind Synthesis is all about collaboration! Particularly if you have a module you’d like to offer as a DIY kit. Use the contact form below to get in touch!
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Hive Mind Synthesis used to be known as Bendmonger Instruments, but has since expanded our scope
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Let us help! Use the contact form below or hit us up on social media
Check out what we’re up to right now:
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Contact
The Hive Mind Collective is based in Philly, PA.
© 2023 Mike weakley // HIve mind synthesis | Made by Forest Friend
How to ACTUALLY fix the dark display on a TR-505 or TR-626