Sign up here: CMusic Thing Modular – ‘Control’ Online Workshop with Tom Whitwell – Thonk – DIY Synthesizer Kits & Components

Date & Time: Saturday 27th March 7pm GMT / 8pm CET / 12 midday PST / 3pm EST

Level: Beginner – Intermediate (basic soldering experience required)

Eurorack modular synthesizers can be expensive and bewildering.

This workshop will help you develop confidence to build DIY modules yourself, unlocking a huge range of satisfying new opportunities.

Before we start building, Tom will talk briefly about the process of module design, touching on ideas, usability, prototyping, electronics and tools, and answer any questions.

Together, we’ll build a brand new module called Control. It has four big knobs, is 18hp, and gives detailed fine-grained control over any parameters in a modular synth.

Tom wrote about the development process for Control here:

https://medium.com/music-thing-modular-notes/make-knob-twiddling-great-again-47065a346c2

Session Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, a successful student will be able to:

• Confidently solder a through-hole electronic PCB

• Assemble a fairly complex Eurorack synth module, ensuring pots and switches are correctly aligned.

• Have a simple understanding of the process of designing and prototyping music hardware.

Requirements

Required materials:

• This is a through-hole kit. All SMD parts are pre-soldered.

• A fine tip soldering iron – ideally with temperature control.

• Fine rosin core solder (1mm or less in diameter). Leaded solder is generally easier to work with, particularly for beginners.

• Side cutter pliers

Required workspace: 

• From running many workshops in the past, we’ve found that a good workspace is as important as the right equipment:

• Space: You don’t need much, just a clear patch of desk, with a surface that won’t be damaged by the odd drop of solder. A silicone soldering mat is nice but absolutely not essential.

• Light: Enough light to see small components and check their placement. A desk lamp is good.

• Sight: Everyone’s vision is different, but have whatever you need to see small objects clearly – glasses or a magnifier.

• Ventilation: soldering with rosin/flux creates small amounts of smoke and fumes, so work in a room with some ventilation – a window you can open, or just a desk fan to blow the fumes away.

If you have any questions about equipment or workspace, don’t hesitate to email tom@musicthing.co.uk

Required tech: 

• A computer and internet connection

• A web cam and mic

• A Zoom account

About the workshop leader

Tom Whitwell designs Music Thing Modular electronic musical instruments from a shed in Herne Hill, London.  Tom has been designing devices and writing about music for many years, developing hugely popular DIY modules including: Turing Machine, Radio Music and Mikrophonie.

This workshop led by CV FREQS (Chelsea Bruno, PhD and Craig Clifford, MD, MS) and the Shakmat team focuses on the complete build of a range of available DIY Shakmat kits.

Chelsea and Craig will lead a workshop to build Knight’s Gallop, while the Shakmat team will be on hand to build all other modules.

What’s included in the price?

The bundle price includes a discount of 20% on the retail price of each module, plus registration to the workshop.

The Music Hackspace is collaborating with Shakmat and the modular shops Thonk (UK) and SynthCube (US) to create a special gift box for each of the modules, delivered at shipping price local to the retailers. If you already have your own module, you can also purchase access to the workshop only.

How will this work in practice?

This is an online workshop. We will use breakout rooms in Zoom for people building the same modules, supported by one of 4 workshop leaders. You will be able to show your progress and get support as you get building.

Participants can expect a short review of soldering techniques:

• Preparing the PCB
• Choice of solder
• Use of rosin flux
• Tip tinner and oxidation
• Soldering tips and heat transfer
• Clean-up

Identification of electronic components and short review of function:

• Polarity of components
• Resistor, capacitor, diode, semiconductor, IC pin identification

Approach to modules with limited build instructions

• Planing your build, Dos and Dont’s
• Helpful tricks

Join the after party!

After the workshop, everyone is invited to a concert with CV FREQS co-hosted by Eden Grey and Ned Rush on CV FREQS YouTube channel, which will start at 7pm UK time. The lineup includes:

About the workshop leaders

Dr. Chelsea Bruno releases music as Eden Grey.  She began researching and working with the Eurorack modular synthesizer whilst earning her Masters’ degree at Florida International University in Music Technology.

Modular synthesis was the main research focus of her PhD in Music Composition at Royal Holloway, University of London, while participating in synth meets and performing in the UK and Europe, and organizing the CV FREQS London synth meet and concert events.

Dr. Craig Clifford is a medical doctor and chemical scientist by training but has spent much of his life dedicated to artistic endeavors. He has been involved with electronic music production since its inception and has performed at several venues in Chicago nightclubs early in his career. His interests in modular synthesis spans the past four years and includes techno, EDM, and Berlin school compositions.

During these workshops you will prototype your own instrument (hardware and software) using an Arduino microcontroller, sensors, and Max or Pure Data.

Registration includes access to all sessions.

You will be introduced to the basics of working with an Arduino microcontroller and interfacing it with a computer software in order to generate, control and manipulate sound. We will use open source hardware and software (Arduino / Max or Pure Data) to prototype an instrument using buttons, switches, potentiometers and sensors. We will start by looking at the basics such as setting up Arduino and running sketches, analog vs digital pins, Arduino programming environment, basic electronic, etc. From there we will get a bit more advanced by looking at the serial communication, connecting sensors to Arduino, reading and values from sensors, and controlling sound parameters with them.

Requirements

Beginner with notions of programming. All participants are required to have a computer with pre-installed Arduino IDE and Max or PureData.

Downloads:

• arduino: https://www.arduino.cc/
• Pure Data: http://puredata.info/downloads
• Max: https://www.cycling74.com
• Useful but not essential: wire cutters & strippers, multimeters, soldering irons

Components (not included, please order):

• Arduino board + USB cable. If your laptop doesn’t have a USB port please make sure you have an adapter! USB cable not included!
• Breadboard
• Jumper wires
• Resistors (1k)
• Resistors (10k)
• Light dependent resistor a.k.a. LDR a.k.a. light sensor:
• 10k potentiometer
• Mini buttons

This practice-led course will show you how to make an electronic textile interface for music performance. We will learn a DIY technique to craft with e-textile materials and then explore how to make music with the handcrafted interface in a number of ways. Each session will follow on from the last, developing your knowledge through a series of hands-on projects, delivered in four online workshops. 

Level: beginner with notions of DIY electronics and programming

• Some familiarity or experience of working with Arduino and/or Max/MSP (or similar platforms) is desirable
• A tabletop space to work at
• Computer, with USB port
• Arduino IDE (Free – download here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)
• Max 8 (Free 30 day trial available – you will be instructed to download this for the final session)

This workshop is available internationally. Please order your DIY kit before the dispatch date for your location. Kits will be posted using a Royal Mail tracked service.

UK dispatch date: Friday 17th November

Worldwide dispatch date: Friday 3rd November

We will work with the Lilypad Arduino, a microcontroller board designed for use with e-textiles and wearables projects, and Max/MSP, an object-orientated programming language for music making. The workshop series will cover the fundamentals of working with e-textiles and these technologies, giving a basis for participants to continue to develop their creative ideas when working with sound and interactive textiles.

Tues 24th Nov, 6pm UK –  Workshop 1: Crafting an e-textile interface

In this workshop, we will explore an approach to working with electronic textiles and handcraft. This workshop will introduce needle felting as a DIY method of working with e-textiles. We will make an interactive and touch sensitive textile interface, to then be used in a number of ways, throughout the four sessions of this course. Through crafting the brightly coloured interface, we will explore a creative approach to interface design and learn how traditional crafts can be combined with e-textile materials to result in novel interfaces for music performance.

Tues 1st Dec, 6pm UK – Workshop 2: Bringing your craft work to life: capacitive sensing and visualising sensor data with the Lilypad Arduino

In this session, we will transform the needle felted piece from Workshop 1 into an interactive and touch sensitive interface. We will introduce the Lilypad Arduino and explore capacitive sensing as a method of bringing your textile work to life. You will learn several approaches to visualising interaction data on screen, as well as the fundamentals of working with Arduino IDE.

Tues 8th Dec, 6pm UK – Workshop 3: Composing through code: making an e-textile step sequencer with the Lilypad Arduino

This week, we will develop our coding skills and learn an approach to using your e-textile interface with the Lilypad Arduino, as a standalone music making device. We will write, edit and compose through code, to create a playful step sequencer that makes music as you touch the textile interface. 

Tues 15th Dec, 6pm UK – Workshop 4: Interactive textiles and Max/MSP

Workshop 4 will introduce a method of using your handcrafted interface with Max/MSP. From this workshop, you will know how to program your Lilypad Arduino, to allow your e-textile interface to control parameters in a Max patch. We will make a software-based sampler, where pre-recorded sound files are triggered by touching the interactive textile interface. Some familiarity and a basic working knowledge of Max/MSP is desirable, but not essential. Participants with experience in Max are welcome to bring their own patches to experiment with.

—

A DIY kit, with all of the craft tools and materials you will need, is included in the workshop price and will be posted to your home in advance of the course.  

There are two kits available, please select the kit that you will require: 

Kit 1 is a full kit and includes a Lilypad Arduino and all of the craft tools and materials you will need for the course. 

Kit 2 includes all of the craft tools and materials you will need to make the e-textile interface, but does not include the Lilypad Arduino and USB cable. 

(Kit 2 is best suited if you already have a Lilypad Arduino or would prefer to use an alternative board. Please note that this course focuses on working with the Lilypad and so support for alternative boards will be limited and only recommended for more experienced participants.)

Kit 1 contents:

• Lilypad Arduino
• USB cable
• 10 x crocodile clips
• Speaker
• Wool 
• Steel wool
• 3 x Needle felting tools 
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Copper tape

Kit 2 contents:

• 10 x crocodile clips
• Speaker
• Wool 
• Steel wool
• 3 x Needle felting tools 
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Copper tape

Important note: Registration to this workshop does not include the kit. Please purchase the kit from Sam Topley on Etsy here.

What’s in the kit? The kit comes with a pre-soldered printed circuit board, e-textile material, a speaker, a mixed bundle of brightly coloured yarn and one crocodile clips. Batteries not included.

What you will do in this workshop:

In this online workshop, we will craft with electronic textiles to make a new musical instrument.

The workshop will provide an introduction to working with e-textile materials and DIY craft techniques, to enable us to make a new musical instrument to play and experiment with.

In this hands-on and craft-focused workshop, we will explore ideas in e-textiles, DIY electronics and experimental music making, to learn how e-textiles can be used within an electronic circuit and how we can be creative with crafts to make a fun and playful interface to perform with.

Topics:

• Electronic textiles (e-textiles)
• Experimental music making
• DIY electronics
• Textile handcrafts

Requirements:

No prior knowledge or skills are required. This workshop is a great introduction to electronic instrument building and is suitable for any age (younger children should be supervised).

The instrument will be built from a DIY kit, which will be posted to you in advance of the workshop. The kit includes all of the materials you will need to construct the instrument.

The instrument will be made with tools found around the home. You will need:

• scissors
• recycled cardboard (approximately cereal box sized)
• 9v battery
• tabletop workspace

About the workshop leader:

Sam Topley is a sound artist from Leicester, UK. She works with textiles to create handmade electronic musical instruments and interactive sound art work. Her practice explores ideas in music, technology and textile handcrafts, to make new instruments such as giant noisy pompoms, knitted or ‘yarnbombed’ loudspeakers and DIY electronic musical instruments with e-textile interfaces.

Topley shares her work internationally through workshops, exhibitions, performances and presentations. Recent projects include commissioned work by Dubai Maker Faire, TEDxLeicester, Goldsmiths University of London and the University of Manchester.

Sam is a doctoral researcher at the Music, Technology and Innovation – Institute for Sonic Creativity (MTI2), De Montfort University (Leicester, UK), where she also lectures in experimental music, creative music technology and community arts practice. Her PhD is co-supervised by Nottingham Trent University and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Follow Sam on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

Important note: This workshop includes a kit that will be shipped to your address from the UK, please note that registrations will close 7 days before the workshop to allow enough time for you to receive your kit.

What’s in the kit? The kit comes with a pre-soldered printed circuit board, e-textile material, a speaker, a mixed bundle of brightly coloured yarn and one crocodile clips. Batteries not included.

What you will do in this workshop:

In this online workshop, we will craft with electronic textiles to make a new musical instrument.

The workshop will provide an introduction to working with e-textile materials and DIY craft techniques, to enable us to make a new musical instrument to play and experiment with.

In this hands-on and craft-focused workshop, we will explore ideas in e-textiles, DIY electronics and experimental music making, to learn how e-textiles can be used within an electronic circuit and how we can be creative with crafts to make a fun and playful interface to perform with.

Topics:

• Electronic textiles (e-textiles)
• Experimental music making
• DIY electronics
• Textile handcrafts

Requirements:

No prior knowledge or skills are required. This workshop is a great introduction to electronic instrument building and is suitable for any age (younger children should be supervised).

The instrument will be built from a DIY kit, which will be posted to you in advance of the workshop. The kit includes all of the materials you will need to construct the instrument.

The instrument will be made with tools found around the home. You will need:

• scissors
• recycled cardboard (approximately cereal box sized)
• 9v battery
• tabletop workspace

About the workshop leader:

Sam Topley is a sound artist from Leicester, UK. She works with textiles to create handmade electronic musical instruments and interactive sound art work. Her practice explores ideas in music, technology and textile handcrafts, to make new instruments such as giant noisy pompoms, knitted or ‘yarnbombed’ loudspeakers and DIY electronic musical instruments with e-textile interfaces.

Topley shares her work internationally through workshops, exhibitions, performances and presentations. Recent projects include commissioned work by Dubai Maker Faire, TEDxLeicester, Goldsmiths University of London and the University of Manchester.

Sam is a doctoral researcher at the Music, Technology and Innovation – Institute for Sonic Creativity (MTI2), De Montfort University (Leicester, UK), where she also lectures in experimental music, creative music technology and community arts practice. Her PhD is co-supervised by Nottingham Trent University and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Follow Sam on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

This practice-led course will show you how to make an electronic textile interface for music performance. We will learn a DIY technique to craft with e-textile materials and then explore how to make music with the handcrafted interface in a number of ways. Each session will follow on from the last, developing your knowledge through a series of hands-on projects, delivered in four online workshops. 

Level: beginner with notions of DIY electronics and programming

• Some familiarity or experience of working with Arduino and/or Max/MSP (or similar platforms) is desirable
• A tabletop space to work at
• Computer, with USB port
• Arduino IDE (Free – download here: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software)
• Max 8 (Free 30 day trial available – you will be instructed to download this for the final session)

Availability

This workshop is available internationally. Please order your DIY kit before the dispatch date for your location. Kits will be posted using a Royal Mail tracked service.

UK dispatch date: Friday 25th September

Worldwide dispatch date: Friday 18th September

All sessions are led by a live workshop leader, and are recorded. If you miss one, you can watch it later.

We will work with the Lilypad Arduino, a microcontroller board designed for use with e-textiles and wearables projects, and Max/MSP, an object-orientated programming language for music making. The workshop series will cover the fundamentals of working with e-textiles and these technologies, giving a basis for participants to continue to develop their creative ideas when working with sound and interactive textiles.

Wed 30th Sept, 6pm UK –  Workshop 1: Crafting an e-textile interface

In this workshop, we will explore an approach to working with electronic textiles and handcraft. This workshop will introduce needle felting as a DIY method of working with e-textiles. We will make an interactive and touch sensitive textile interface, to then be used in a number of ways, throughout the four sessions of this course. Through crafting the brightly coloured interface, we will explore a creative approach to interface design and learn how traditional crafts can be combined with e-textile materials to result in novel interfaces for music performance.

Sat 3rd Oct, 6pm UK – Workshop 2: Bringing your craft work to life: capacitive sensing and visualising sensor data with the Lilypad Arduino

In this session, we will transform the needle felted piece from Workshop 1 into an interactive and touch sensitive interface. We will introduce the Lilypad Arduino and explore capacitive sensing as a method of bringing your textile work to life. You will learn several approaches to visualising interaction data on screen, as well as the fundamentals of working with Arduino IDE.

Fri 23rd Oct, 6pm UK – Workshop 3: Composing through code: making an e-textile step sequencer with the Lilypad Arduino

This week, we will develop our coding skills and learn an approach to using your e-textile interface with the Lilypad Arduino, as a standalone music making device. We will write, edit and compose through code, to create a playful step sequencer that makes music as you touch the textile interface. 

Sat 7th Nov, 6pm UK – Workshop 4: Interactive textiles and Max/MSP

Workshop 4 will introduce a method of using your handcrafted interface with Max/MSP. From this workshop, you will know how to program your Lilypad Arduino, to allow your e-textile interface to control parameters in a Max patch. We will make a software-based sampler, where pre-recorded sound files are triggered by touching the interactive textile interface. Some familiarity and a basic working knowledge of Max/MSP is desirable, but not essential. Participants with experience in Max are welcome to bring their own patches to experiment with.

—

A DIY kit, with all of the craft tools and materials you will need, is included in the workshop price and will be posted to your home in advance of the course.  

There are two kits available, please select the kit that you will require: 

Kit 1 is a full kit and includes a Lilypad Arduino and all of the craft tools and materials you will need for the course. 

Kit 2 includes all of the craft tools and materials you will need to make the e-textile interface, but does not include the Lilypad Arduino and USB cable. 

(Kit 2 is best suited if you already have a Lilypad Arduino or would prefer to use an alternative board. Please note that this course focuses on working with the Lilypad and so support for alternative boards will be limited and only recommended for more experienced participants.)

Kit 1 contents:

• Lilypad Arduino
• USB cable
• 10 x crocodile clips
• Speaker
• Wool 
• Steel wool
• 3 x Needle felting tools 
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Copper tape

Kit 2 contents:

• 10 x crocodile clips
• Speaker
• Wool 
• Steel wool
• 3 x Needle felting tools 
• Embroidery hoop
• Fabric
• Copper tape