The FM3 Buddha Machines are simple digital ambient audio looper's and a great simple project for Circuit Bending. Allthough the mk-2 and 3 come with a pitch control it is quite easy to extended the pitch range (slightly higher to a LOT LOT LOWER). A LDR (Light Dependant Resistor) can also be used to control pitch (bright light = higher pitch and darkness = lower pitch) making the Buddha machine an optical ambient theremin. I have given diagrams and instructions on how to add these controls to all 3 buddha machines below.

The LDR i have used is a Norps-12 which is a very commonly available LDR (Rapid electronics, RS-components and mouser all stock them). It has a resistance range of 1.5megaohms in darkness to 500ohms in bright light but any LDR with a range of 1k-500k or more is good any less and the pitch control will not be very pronounced and weak. For the pitch pot i have used a 1m Logarithmic potentiometer wired in reverse (I. E turned fully left the pitch is higher and lowest turned fully right) this gives the best steadily increased / decreased pitch control if you wired the pot the other way the pitch drops very suddenly and its hard to have a medium pitch setting.

I offer this information with the best of intention some models of Buddha machines may vary (early mk-1 for instance) and resistance values may change from unit too unit you may find you need to change the values of some resistors i have given I,E if your buddha machine locks up at high pitch setting make the resistor higher in value I hold no reasonability if you decide to bend / modify your buddha machine but good luck and happy circuit bending feel free to email me with your creations.