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Collin’s Lab: DIY Contact Mic

Collin’s Lab: DIY Contact Mic

Collin Cunningham

By Collin Cunningham

Collin Cunningham

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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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Otyp Sows the Seeds of Biotechnology

By Michael Colombo

Michael Colombo

In addition to being an online editor for MAKE Magazine, Michael Colombo works in fabrication, electronics, sound design, music production and performance (Yes. All that.) In the past he has also been a childrens' educator and entertainer, and holds a Masters degree from NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program.

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Kyle Lawson and James Peyer discuss their innovative strategy to get biotechnology into schools and hackerspaces. Their company otyp was formed with the purpose of making equipment and information accessible to anyone who wants to get started with genetic research and experiments.

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YouTube Playlist: Mark Frauenfelder Presents Maker Faire

By Becky Stern

Becky Stern

Becky Stern is a Content Creator at Autodesk/Instructables, and part time faculty at New York’s School of Visual Arts Products of Design grad program. Making and sharing are her two biggest passions, and she's created hundreds of free online DIY tutorials and videos, mostly about technology and its intersection with crafts. Find her @bekathwia on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram.

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Today MAKE editor-in-chief Mark Frauenfelder would like to introduce you to some of his favorite makers, and the projects they’ve brought to Maker Faire, through a special YouTube playlist. If you don’t know about Maker Faire, it’s a festive two-day exhibition of DIY invention and creativity held annually in several locations around the United States. Mark selected these videos from our Maker Faire channel to give you an idea of the amazing energy and enthusiasm you’ll experience at Maker Faire. Enjoy the playlist, and don’t forget to subscribe to the Maker Faire Channel on YouTube.

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Super Sewable Circuitry – Sylvia’s Mini Maker Show

Super Sewable Circuitry – Sylvia’s Mini Maker Show

By techninja42

techninja42

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I bet you didn’t know that there’s a soft side to the hard edged fiberglass boarded electronics you know and love, and it’s called soft circuitry! The copper clad board in through-the-hole electronics can actually be replaced by cloth, and the traces replaced with conductive thread, allowing your projects to light up, and still be huggable and wear friendly. Today we’ll show you how to make your very own glowey-eyed cuddle monster you can sew together with the threadbare essentials. Lets go!

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