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Photo: Alwin Weber (cc) and his circuits
Thankfully and very proud I'm reviewing my time of the 2025 residency at Radiona.org in Zagreb. The first time I met Deborah Hustic in 2012 at Homemade summer camp in Swiss. This connection leads to my first visit in zagreb in 2014, which results in a proper connection in the international soldering and DIY-electronic scene, cause Radiona is an important hub.
Photo: Synth collection gathered these days in Radiona
Since then loads of trips to Croatia followed. During these amazing and very impressive 10-days in May 2025 I had time to calm down and start to think about whats really important in life. Circuits, Ćevapčići and synths! In the food coma people start to have the most silly and brilliant ideas. It is always important to leave your bubble to come up with something new.
Photo: Alwin Weber (cc)
In my 25 kg backpack I brought a lot of PCBs (printed circuit boards) and a bunch of stuff to mess with. Besides from that I carried loads of electronic instruments and synthesizers. Turned out to be a good idea, cause in Radiona there's space, inspiration and time. Big surprise was to meet John Richards from Dirty Electronics and Constanza Pina (Corazon de Robota) during my stay in Zagreb.
Photo: John Richards aka Dirty Electronics and Constanza Pina (Corazon de Robota), Alwin Weber (cc)
This immediately lead to a musical interaction. So there was a collaboration for the International Drone Day with John Richards. The improvisations resulted in five pieces researching the beauty of analog and digital synthesizers, codes and low frequencies. Inspired by hours of philosophical talks about the intrinsic motivation of making music and being and (electro-) artist I came up with the discipline of „gently knobbing“. It's the ultimate motivational guideline after years of producing experimental electronic music and building DIY instruments. In the nerdy, DIY and professional surrounding of Radiona you'll find inspiration and solutions.
Photo: DirtyRadionator by Alwin Weber (cc)
I started to work on a circuit for a synth based on a 40106 and an 4094 IC, which combined and controlled by LDR ́s (Light Depended Resistors) it becomes a beast of a noise machine. In honour to the makerspace and the great talks with my temporary colleagues and the team of Radiona ist named: „DirtyRadionator“.
Photo: 127972 ELEKTRA by Alwin Weber (cc)
Beside that I worked on an installation for Radiona exhibitions called „127972 ELEKTRA“. It's based on an old welding helmet, which was contributed from the Croatian jewellery designer Tomislav Zidar Djuvedj. I visited his workshop and we collaborated in the design process. The electronics in the installation is an ATtiny45 micro-controler, some LED trigger circuits and an amplifier. You can trigger the machine with an arcade button and change the sounds with a joystick, which creates a very playful interface to produce some serious noises.
Photo: Alwin Weber (cc)
During the research for my workshop „PCB potpourri“ I came up with the idea to make a experimental movie „Traces and Acid“ to show the participants the industrial process of making PCB`s. Eventually it's used for further exhibitions and teaching. Beside that we soldered the „Squeaking Rat“, LDRoorR's and the SillySolderIronSynth. People learned about PCB Design, general soldering techniques and the beauty of „NoiseToys“.
Photo: Alwin Weber (cc)
A proper highlight is the visit of the Hrelić flea-market to dig for some nerdy treasure and material for the circuit bending workshop. We found obscure electronic items, Casio keyboards, funky boxes and very good ćevapčići.
Photo: Alwin Weber (cc)
So, basically it was a very productive time wit loads of networking, nerding, learning and teaching. Shout out to the organiser and everybody who 's involved in making this residencies happening.
Alwin Weber aka CircuitCircle
July 2025