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MAKE
Collin's Lab
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1
DIY Contact Mic - Collin's Lab
by MAKE
150,809 views
It's amazing what a little disk can do ... when it's layered with piezoelectric crystals. Piezo disks are impressively sensitive to vibration and can easily be adapted to work as a contact microphones. The trick is the preamp - a basic circuit used to match the piezo's signal to levels compatible with modern audio gear inputs. The resulting piezo/preamp combo can be used for electrifying an acoustic guitar or simply exploring the lesser-heard world of small sound around us.
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2
Collin's Lab: Schematics
by MAKE
193,021 views
http://bit.ly/uBjkMR
Schematics are the functional diagram of electronic circuits. With so many designs available on the web, understanding how to read schematics can unlock a world of possibilities for the electronics maker. In fact, if you can read a schematic, you can build a circuit before even understanding how it works! -
3
Circuit Skills: Infrared Light
by MAKE
74,834 views
http://wp.me/p1CIX9-udv
Infrared light may be invisible to the human eye - but it's usefulness in the world of electronics is easy to see. IR emitters & detectors can be used in a variety of different ways - most of us use them for wireless communication everyday. -
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Collin's Lab: Electronics Tools
by MAKE
148,433 views
http://bit.ly/o6Sh3f
Get geared up for circuit-making- check out Collin's list of tools no electronaut should be without! -
5
Collin's Lab: Atari Punk Console
by MAKE
264,777 views
http://bit.ly/prZRJ1
A true classic for DIY synth makers & circuit benders, the Atari Punk Console can kick out some ear-catching square waves. It's easy to build and a lot of fun to play around with. It may be challenging to make traditional music with an APC, but hey - there's enough of that around already, right? -
6
Circuit Skills: Power Supply
by MAKE
158,524 views
The requisite starting point for anything electronic - you won't get much blinking, buzzing, or processing done without a power supply!
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7
Circuit Skills: Fiber Optics
by MAKE
97,500 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/07/circuit-skills-fibe
r-optics-sponsored-by-jameco-electronics.html
Not all electronic signals are communicated via electricity. By transmitting information in the form of light, we can avoid many limitations inherent to traditional wiring. And on top of all that - fiber optics are just straight-up cool! -
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Collin's Lab: Switches
by MAKE
87,672 views
Easily overlooked, but elemental to electronics hardware, the manually operated switch is the simplest of electromechanical devices -- and likely the most familiar. While the most basic switch is ... well, quite basic -- there's a crazy-huge variety of switch types & sizes available to the electronics maker nowadays. Those new to the soldering & schematics scene will surely benefit from an introduction to some of the terms and formats relevant to various switch species.
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9
Circuit Skills: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
by MAKE
108,312 views
http://blog.makezine.com/?p=98982
Another clever trick from the world of electronics - Pulse Width Modulation is a simple method for controlling analog devices via a digital signal. It's also an efficient way to drive motors, lamps, LEDs & more. -
10
Collin's Lab: Brainwave Beats
by MAKE
76,206 views
http://blog.makezine.com/?p=95705
Measuring brainwaves is not just for neuroscientists anymore - new affordable consumer level EEG devices ( & even some toys) do a respectable job at measuring tiny voltage pulses given off by neurons firing in the brain.
Cool - but how shall we use these new found sensory powers?
To automatically compose electronic music, of course! -
11
Collin's Lab: The REAL Breadboard
by MAKE
128,248 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/04/collins-lab-th...ea
l-breadboard.html
Ever wonder why they call it an electronics "breadboard"? Way back in the day, folks had to be pretty resourceful to pursue an electronics hobby. So power down the soldering iron and go grab a hammer - it's time to try building on a *real* breadboard. -
12
Collin's Lab: Homebrew Piezo
by MAKE
181,104 views
Piezoelectric materials are about as close to magic as you can get. They turn physical pressure into electricity and can even turn electricity into physical pressure - an amazing sort of bidirectional converter for mechanical and electrical energies. Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that you can easily 'grow' your own piezoelectric crystals overnight using just a couple of common ingredients - awesome.
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13
Circuit Skills: LED Matrix
by MAKE
176,547 views
Learn the basics of controlling a grid of LEDs - use one as a miniature game machine and more, as Collin Cunningham takes a look inside the LED Matrix.
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14
Collin's Lab: Monotron Hacking
by MAKE
147,907 views
The Monotron mini analog synthesizer was made to be hacked - learn how to add your own control-voltage inputs and check out some sample synthing played via strobe light.
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15
Collin's Lab: Digital to Analog Converter
by MAKE
102,710 views
The Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) turns bits into waves using a surprisingly simple circuit built from little more than a few resistors. Learn how to build your own R-2R DAC and use it to generate waveforms with a microcontroller
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16
Collin's Lab: USB Hacking with Arduino
by MAKE
289,153 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/usbhacking.html
USB devices are so common nowadays - wouldn't it be nice to use one with your homebrew electronics projects? Equipped with an Arduino microcontroller + Host shield, pretty much any USB peripheral can be put work in your project. -
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Collin's Lab: High Power LEDs + Digital Color Organ
by MAKE
95,477 views
5mm or 10mm LEDs will work just fine for most projects, but if you really want to light up a room, consider using some of the high-power variety. With forward currents up to a full amp, you'll need a way to dissipate heat - but the results are very much worth the extra effort.
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18
Circuit Skills: LED Color Organ
by MAKE
190,332 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/10/circuit_skills_led_
color_organ_spon.html
Join Collin as he synchronizes light to sound using the power of analog circuitry - It's disco-tech! -
19
Collin's Lab: Wire Rack Attack
by MAKE
72,339 views
Once the growing sprawl of electronic parts starts showing up in your dreams, you know you've got some tidying up to do. But who wants to spend hours organizing parts & gear when you could be having fun actually using it? Hmm ... good point.
Well, if you do manage to pull yourself away fromall that hacking & experimentation for 10-20min or so, consider installing a quick-n-dirty wire rack to tame all those wild spools that roam your workbench. -
20
Collin's Lab: Custom Fit Earbuds
by MAKE
278,103 views
What do you get when you combine DIY custom molded earplugs with a pair of in-ear headphones? Isolated Hi-Fi that fits like a glove but won't break the bank.
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21
Circuit Skills: Surface Mount Devices
by MAKE
184,884 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/08/circuit_skills_surf
ace_mount_device.html
Join Collin Cunningham as he explores the oh-so-tiny world of surface mount electronics. Follow along as he constructs what may be the world's smallest phototheremin all in super-macro detail - plus learn why adhesive poster putty is so darn useful. -
22
Circuit Skills: Perfboard Prototyping
by MAKE
222,470 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/06/circuit_skills_perf
board_prototypin.html
When you think - "DIY electronics", one of the first images that likely comes to mind is a bunch of parts and wire soldered to a standard piece of perforated circuit board - and that makes sense. Perfboard is super-versatile - essentially it's just a grid of potential solder-point connections. You can trim it down to just the size you need - or leave extra space for future enhancements ... or revisions, if need be. -
23
Collin's Lab: DIY iPad Stylus
by MAKE
829,257 views
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/05/collins_lab_diy_ipa
d_stylus.html
Fingertip input is great for most touchscreen usage like typing, web-browsing - all sorts of virtual button-pushing tasks. But for many people, drawing remains an activity best approached with a pen, pencil, brush, etc.
With a bit of conductive foam and wire, it's surprisingly easy to make your own conductive stylus, suitable for use with iPhone, iPad and similar conductive touchscreen devices - and you'll likely find it a lot more precise compared to regular fingertip input. -
24
Circuit Skills: Electronics Enclosures
by MAKE
257,850 views
Every useful electronics project deserves a good enclosure. Providing a proper case for your circuit can protect it from accidental spills & falls - plus give it a cool look you can proudly show off to those unfamiliar with soldering and such.
Follow along with Collin as he turns a barebones function generator kit into a sturdy and versatile tone-box fit for noise-jamming & testing purposes. Get more info and a parts bundle: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/circuit_skills_electronics_enlosure.html -
25
Collin's Lab: DIY Sci-fi
by MAKE
49,415 views
While waiting patiently for what is likely the galaxy's slowest turbolift, spacefaring duo Metalmags(Erica Magrey) & The Alien Ambassador(Collin Cunningham) take a casual stroll through the seams of their own chroma-keyed reality - in search of an answer to that age-old question, "Why are we here?"
Read more on how the vid was made -
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/04/collins_lab_diy_sci-fi.html -
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Collin's Lab: Kit-making
by MAKE
62,111 views
When recently faced with the dauntingly tedious task of assembling my first-ever batch of electronics kits, I was lucky enough to have the ever-helpful eye of seasoned kit-maker Becky Stern close by. While observing my one-man assembly 'process', Becky advised a more efficient, modular assembly line technique using intermediary storage vessels better known as "plastic cups". Streamlining the process left me with plenty of time to cook up some some unusually fancy title/motion graphics for the above-seen video.
For more info + related links, head over to -
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/03/collins_lab_kit-making.html -
27
Circuit Skills: Circuit Board Etching
by MAKE
558,395 views
Making your own printed circuit board can be a truly satisfying process, tying together electronics and the handmade craft of etching. It's the most accurate way to build a circuit short of sending away to a PCB manufacturer and it's a lot more fun (+ cheaper too!). For a full list of materials used plus more tips for etching & drilling head over to MAKE's site -
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/02/circuit_skills_circuit_board_etchin.html -
28
Collin's Lab: Infrared heart sensor
by MAKE
125,109 views
The beating of the heart is often recorded via sound or simply with touch - but there's also another interesting and somewhat lesser known option - light. An infrared emitter/detector pair can be used along with a programmable microcontroller, to effectively visualize the effects of the human body's hardest-working muscle.
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/11/collins_lab_infrared_heart_sensor.html -
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Collin's Lab: Guitar pedal hacking with Arduino
by MAKE
156,739 views
Instead of chaining multiple guitar effects in search of a new sound, I decided to mod just one. Using an Arduino microcontroller board + digi-pot chip, I was able to add a variable gating effect to a fuzz pedal.
source code + more infos here:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/collins_lab_guitar_pedal_modding_wi.html
video, audio, & riffs by Collin Cunningham -
30
Collin's Lab: DIY Cymatics
by MAKE
404,334 views
The simple process of vibrating a dish of liquid can make for some pretty interesting results - mixing in a bit of cornstarch can be downright freaky.
additional infos here:
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/08/collins_lab_notes_diy_cymatics.html
audio, video, music & blobs by Collin Cunningham -
31
Collin's Lab: Exploratory IC torching
by MAKE
86,187 views
Using a propane torch (+ a bit of force) in order to get a closer look at the precious chip within an IC's package.
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32
Arduino EMF detector
by MAKE
370,206 views
Use an Arduino microcontroller to sense invisible electromagnetic fields using wire, a resistor, and an LED.
Aaron ALAI's EMF detector project is awesomely simple to make and fun to use. An upgraded version can be built using an LED bargraph for more 'meter-like' functionality.
original project can be found here -
http://www.aaronalai.com/emf-detector
additional info, and Arduino sketch -
http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2009/05/making_the_arduino_emf_detector.html
audio/video by Collin Cunningham
