qu-bit-electronix/data-bender
Data Bender
Circuit bent digital audio buffer inspired by audio equipment failure modes. 96kHz, 24-bit stereo buffer holding over a minute of audio; emulates skipping CDs, software bugs, and defective tape machine playback.587
Capabilities 3
- Bit Crusherbit-crusher
- Decimate corrupt mode applies variable bit-crushing and downsampling with non-linear progression from subtle noise to heavy distortion.587
- Stereo Processorstereo-processor
- Stereo audio input and output; left input normalizes to both channels when right is unpatched; stereo behavior configurable via Shift+Bend Button.587
- Waveshaping Distortiondistortion
- 587
Jacks 15 (13 in / 2 out)
| Name | Signal | Voltage | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inputs (13) | |||
| Audio Input Left | audio | — | Left channel audio input; normalizes to both channels when right input is unpatched. AC-coupled, 10Vpp.587 |
| Audio Input Right | audio | — | 587 |
| Bend CV | cv | -5V to 5V | 587 |
| Bend Gate | gate | ≥0.4V | 587 |
| Break CV | cv | -5V to 5V | 587 |
| Break Gate | gate | ≥0.4V | 587 |
| Clock Input | clock | ≥0.4V | 587 |
| Corrupt CV | cv | -5V to 5V | 587 |
| Corrupt Gate | gate | ≥0.4V | Advances to the next Corrupt effect when gate signal is high. Configurable via Shift+Corrupt as a buffer reset/resync input.587 |
| Freeze Gate | gate | ≥0.4V | 587 |
| Mix CV | cv | -5V to 5V | 587 |
| Repeats CV | cv | -5V to 5V | 587 |
| Time CV | cv | -5V to 5V | 587 |
| Outputs (2) | |||
| Audio Output Left | audio | — | 587 |
| Audio Output Right | audio | — | 587 |
Parameters 10
| Name | Type | Range | Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | knob | — | In Macro Mode: automated tape-medium manipulations including vari-speed pitch changes, reversed playback, vinyl clicks/pops, tape stop. In Micro Mode: playback speed control tracking 1V/Oct ±3 octaves; button/gate toggles forward/reverse.587 |
| Break | knob | — | In Macro Mode: automated digital malfunction emulation — CD skips/stutters, disjointed playhead movement, synchronized audio dropouts. In Micro Mode: toggles between Traverse (subsection selection) and Silence (silence duty cycle 0–90%) sub-modes.587 |
| Clock | button | — | Toggles between Internal (blue LED blink) and External (white LED blink) clock modes. In External mode, the clock input drives the Time control and the Time knob/CV selects div/mult ratio.587 |
| Corrupt | knob | — | End-of-chain effect with 5 audio-degrading modes cycled by button. Knob controls intensity within active mode. Off when knob is fully CCW or CV ≤0V.587 |
| Freeze | button | — | Holds the current buffer; no new audio is recorded until deactivated. Configurable as latching or momentary via Shift+Freeze. When Mix is fully dry, engaging Freeze instantly sets Mix fully wet.587 |
| Mix | knob | — | Balances live input against processed buffer output. Fully CCW = dry only; fully CW = wet only.587 |
| Mode | button | — | Toggles between Macro Mode (Blue LED) and Micro Mode (Green LED), changing Bend and Break behavior.587 |
| Repeats | knob | — | Divides the primary buffer into smaller subsections. Higher settings create more divisions and faster apparent output. Fully CCW = no subdivision.587 |
| Shift | button | — | Hold to access secondary functions: Shift+Time (Glitch Windowing), Shift+Repeats (LED Dimmer), Shift+Mix (Stereo Enhancement), Shift+Bend/Break/Corrupt Knobs (CV Attenuators), Shift+Bend Button (Stereo Behavior), Shift+Break Button (Restore Defaults), Shift+Corrupt Button (Corrupt as Reset), Shift+Freeze (Freeze Behavior), Shift+Clock (Gate Behaviors), Shift+Mode (Corrupt Offerings).587 |
| Time | knob | — | Sets the sample period (buffer acquisition rate). In Internal Clock Mode, ranges from 16 seconds (fully CCW) to 80Hz (fully CW). In External Clock Mode, selects clock divide/multiply ratio: /16, /8, /4, /2, x1, x2, x3, x4, x8.587 |
Firmware history 3 versions
| Version | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| v1.4.5 | — | Fixed issue where switching between Micro and Macro Mode caused Micro Pitch to affect Macro Mode. Fixed issue with Bend and Break switches toggling Micro reverse when in Macro and vice versa. Bend and Break now save separate states for Micro and Macro Mode. Added new firmware LED color indicators: 5=purple, 6=white, 7=orange.587 |
| v1.4.4 | — | Added 1V/oct calibration to Micro Mode Bend CV input. Added LED Dimmer via Shift+Repeats. Added adjustable stereo width via Shift+Mix. Added CV attenuators for Bend, Break, and Corrupt CV inputs. Added DJ Filter and Vinyl Simulator Corrupt effects. Added Corrupt offerings toggle via Shift+Mode. Fixed dry signal bleed when fully wet. Fixed Micro Bend knob range and LEDs to reach 3rd octave. Added default windowing Blue LED blip on knob range.587 |
| v1.1.0 | — | Initial release firmware.587 |
References 2
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[587]
Qu-Bit Electronix Data Bender Manual v1.4.6manual● verified 2026-05-21
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[588]
Qu-Bit Electronix Data Bender product pageproduct_page● verified 2026-05-21