Workshops:
Slide shows from recent workshops (2010-present)
Solar Battery Charger and Lantern
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Weavable Circuits
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| 3RD Ward - Brooklyn, NY |
| CMOS Music I |
Analog Feedback Machine - Bent Festival 2010 | Transitio_MX - Mexico City, DF Mexico
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| Make Solar Sonic - Solar 1 - New York, NY |
| Analog Sensors & Networks - Bent Festival 2009 - The Tank - New York, NY |
| Light Controlled LED Sequencer - The Tank - New York, NY |
Workshop Offerings:
CMOS Music I // 1-bit chiptunes w/o programming
4 hours. Materials $25/student. Max enrollment 12.
Learn how to make 1-bit chiptunes music without the hassle of computer programming. This is a musical introduction to basic electronic concepts through the use of CMOS digital logic chips. From a hand full of components you will create the world's simplest oscillator and 8 note musical rhythm sequencer.
CMOS Music II // 1-bit drone music w/o programming
4 hours. Materials $30/student. Max enrollment 12.
Learn how to make 1-bit drone music without the hassle of computer programming. This is a musical introduction to basic electronic concepts through the use of CMOS digital logic chips. From a hand full of components you will create a 6 oscillator 1-bit drone machine.
CMOS Music III // Light controlled 1-bit digital sequencing w/o programming
6 hours. Materials $30/student. Max enrollment 12.
Learn to make crazy light controlled oscillators and sequencers using CMOS digital logic chips. This workshop builds off CMOS Music I and II and it's recommended to have taken at least one prior to enrolling.
CMOS LED Art I // Sequencing LEDs w/o computer programming
5 hours. Materials $25/student. Max enrollment 12.
Learn to make dynamically moving LED art using only a hand full of simple logic ICs. We start with an oscillator using the 555 timer to make a simple blinking LED circuit and a review of electronics concepts central to its operation. You'll then be introduced to the CMOS 4000 series digital logic chips and how we can use a couple of them to make many LEDS to cool stuff.
CMOS LED Art II // Advanced LED art techniques w/o computer programming
8 hours. Materials $30/student. Max enrollment 12.
This is a more in depth look at using the CMOS 4000 series digital logic chips to produce different patterns of flashing sequences of LEDs. Counters, Multiplexers, Adders, Shift-Registers, and Priority Encoders will be covered in depth. We will build off the circuits introduced in CMOS LED Art I and learn how to expand and them reactive to the environment using simple light sensors.
Power Supplies I // Voltage Regulation - AC to DC
6 hours. Materials $45/Student. Minimum enrollment 10, max 16.
The goal of this workshop is to build knowledge of power supply technologies, focusing on those that generate DC from AC power sources. Any electronics workbench needs a regulated voltage supply, one that can provide a constant voltage. We will learn high voltage safety, a handful of power supply designs, and apply what we learn in the construction of a regulated bench supply with +/-5 volts, +/-12 volts, and adjustable 1.5 - 30 volt outputs. You will learn the theory and operation of all the components involved, including transformers, diodes, capacitors, resistors, fuses and voltage regulators.
Power Supplies II // Power Storage - Recharging Batteries
6 hours. Materials $35/Student. Minimum enrollment 10, max 16.
Building off of our knowledge of voltage regulating power supplies, we will discuss regulated current sources and how we can combine current and voltage regulation to charge batteries. We will look at the leading battery technologies and focus on the technical considerations involved in charging the most common types (NiMH, NiCd, LiIon, Lead Acid). Our theory will be applied through the construction of our own AC powered battery charger, capable of charging 2 AA NiCD or NiMH batteries.
Power Supplies III // Renewable Sources - Dynamos and Solar
6 hours. Materials $30/Student. Minimum enrollment 10, max 16.
Where does your electricity come from? We will investigate the most prevalent electricity generation methods and the industrial processes involved in mining, refining, and burning the fuels used in each. After a brief discussion of the impacts of each technology we will look at the current leading renewable energy techniques and some of the issues involved in manufacturing and efficiency, in particular the challenges of transmission and storage. We will then create our own renewable power generators, dynamos and solar arrays, and utilize the knowledge of battery charging covered in the previous workshop and modify our AC powered design to work with renewable power sources.
Analog Neural Networks // An introduction to neuron and network modeling
8 hours. Materials $45/student. Minimum enrollment 10, max 16.
We will discuss basic neurobiology and how to translate the behavior of idealized biological neurons into simple electronic circuits. You will build your own neuron-like circuit from a a light detector, amplifier, comparator, and solid state relay. We will cover the theory and operation of each part of the circuit as we go. When we're done building, we will create a network from our circuits and discuss network sciences and their applications in the arts and beyond.
Distortion and Filters // DIY pedal and effect building workshop
8 hours. Materials $35/student. Max enrollment 12.
Learn how to build and modify your own transistor based distortion circuit with simple active filter. Can be built into a guitar stomp box or used as an external effects device. No electronics experience required, we will cover basic theory and discuss the operation of the circuits as we build them.
"The Klapper" // As Seen on TV (sorta)
8 hours (two days). Materials $40/student. Max enrollment 12.
You will build a circuit that functions every bit as well as the commercial version of "The Clapper". Turn any appliance on or off with two successive claps. This kit oriented workshop will cover a variety of topics: Analog circuits - microphones and Op amps. Analog to Digital - Comparators. Digital circuits - Logic, Timers, Flip-Flops. Electromechanical - Relays. Power - Transformers, AC to DC, voltage regulators. High Voltage Safety.
The materials will include a custom printed circuit board, housing, and electronics. Please bring your own soldering materials as class supplies will be limited. Day one we'll cover the basics of electronics theory and kit assembly while populating the circuit board with components. Day two we'll discuss the theory behind the operation of the circuit and complete the project by wiring it into the housing.
Solar Battery Charger and LED Lamp // Bottle up the sun and save it for a rainy day
4 hours. Materials $20/student. Max enrollment 12.
Use the power of the sun to charge your batteries. You will build a solar powered battery charger and a light controlled LED circuit. During the day, your circuit will recharge two AA batteries and at night it will automatically turn on a trio of bright LEDS. This circuit is based off of those solar powered garden lights available in hardware stores.
We will start the session off with a discussion on electronics theory and issues concerning generating electricity. As we discuss solar energy and battery technologies, we'll assemble our own small solar array and charger circuit. We will then focus on building the light sensing and control electronics as an introduction of simple sensors and transistor theory. Please bring your own soldering supplies if you have them as class resources are limited.
Handmade Circuits I // 3D circuit sculpture
4 hours. Materials: $20/student. Max enrollment 12.
Part one of a series of four alternative circuit building workshops. An introduction to the art of electronics sculpture. Learn how to solder circuits in a point-to-point, free-form fashion. We will create a light controlled oscillator and a LED flasher from a hand full of transistors, resistors, and capacitors. They can take any form you choose---from abstract, compact to bug-like!
From beam bots to the electronic sculpture work found in contemporary art practices, we'll begin with a quick overview of free-form 3D circuits in application. We'll the talk a bit about the electronics theory involved in our LED flasher, covering voltage, current, resistors, capacitors and transistors. The solder will fly as we build our little LED flasher sculptures. Take home as many flashers as you can build! Please bring your own solering materials as class supplies will be limited.
Handmade Circuits II // Weave-able, fabric circuits
4 hours. Materials: $25/student. Max enrollment 12.
Part one of a series of four alternative circuit building workshops. Learn how to build circuits that you can weave into fabric. You will design and weave an interactive, light controlled LED flasher circuit into burlap stretched over a wood frame.
Integrating electronics into textiles is an exciting technical challenge that we will tackle with common components and materials. Though our project won't necessarily be wearable, they will take on a whole new look, one that's definitely not your standard green printed circuit board. We'll talk about the theory behind our two-IC circuit and look at how electronics are being made more flexible and even wearable.
Handmade Circuits IV // DIY Printed Circuit Boards
8 hours (two days). Materials: $45/student. Max enrollment 12.
Part one of a series of four alternative circuit building workshops. This intensive workshop will teach you everything you need to know about how to make your own printed circuit boards from in computer design, printing, transferring, etching, drilling and populating. You will have a choice between two circuits: a feed back noise maker or a sound activated LED flasher. You'll need to bring your own laptop and download a copy of EAGLE CAD. (links to be provided)
Bent-O Boxes! // Circuit Bendable Sonic Sushi
4 hours. Materials $35/student. Max enrollment 12.
You build a bendable snack-sized sound synthesizer music kit that comes in a bento box project housing. The circuit is a simple 1-bit CMOS sound synthesizer that has excellent circuit bending potential. Includes parts for the base sound generator circuit and extras for your own modifications. Can be used as a an effects pedal too!
Past Presentations/Lectures/Workshops:
2010 - CMOS Music I, NYC Resistor, Brooklyn, NY
2009 - Feedback Machine, Transitio_MX #3 2009, Mexico City D.F., Mexico
2009 - Make Solar Sonic, Gadget Making Workshop, Solar1, New York, NY
2009 - Sensors | Networks, Bent Festival 2009, The Tank, New York, NY
2009 - Light Control, Carry Dashow's New Media Class, The Tank, New York, NY
2008 - Video Circuit Bending, Machine Project, Los Angeles, CA
2008 - Of Sound and Seedballs, California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
2008 - The State of Modern Agriculture: Alternatives, Zero Point, Los Angeles, CA
2008 - Sensors & Opamps, Bent Festival, DCTV, New York, NY
2008 - Sensors, Opamps, Comparators, Solid State Relays, Cal Arts, Los Angeles, CA
2007 - Beginning Electronics and Circuit Bending, Machine Project, Los Angeles, CA
2007 - Residency Research Presentation, STEIM, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2007 - Circuit Bending, Parque Del Sol [LAMES], St. Poelten, Austria
2007 - Improvisation Practice [DSS], Oakwood Highschool Summer Camp, Los Angeles, CA
2007 - Introduction to electronics, Bent Festival, Eyebeam, New York,NY
2007 - Intro to electronics, Bent Festival, Velaslavasay Panorama, Los Angeles, CA
2007 - Circuit Bending Hands on Workshop, Delta of Venus, Davis, CA
2007 - Improvisation Open Workshop [DSS], SFSU, San Francisco, CA
2006 - Difficult Music, Machine Project, Los Angeles, CA
2006 - Dorkbot SoCal 9, Machine Project, Los Angeles, CA