Video

Collin’s Lab: DIY Contact Mic

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.

Continue Reading December 20th, 2011 Collin Cunningham81

Otyp Sows the Seeds of Biotechnology

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.

Continue Reading November 23rd, 2011 Michael Colombo6

YouTube Playlist: Mark Frauenfelder Presents Maker Faire

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.

Continue Reading November 22nd, 2011 Becky Stern4

Super Sewable Circuitry – Sylvia’s Mini Maker Show

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!

Continue Reading November 21st, 2011 Techninja422