# 41: Pink Universes Die Really Quickly (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2018-07-27
- Length: 56m
- Episode: 41
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat

## Summary

Micah Elizabeth Scott, creator of Fadecandy, explains how temporal dithering and frame interpolation overcome the limited dynamic range of WS2812 (Adafruit Neopixel) LEDs to create smooth, high-quality LED art. She details the hardware architecture of the Fadecandy board, which uses an ARM Cortex-M4 to handle these algorithms, allowing artists to focus on creative expression rather than low-level electronics. Scott discusses her transition from a career in embedded systems at Siftio to becoming an 'art engineer,' emphasizing the importance of open-source hardware and building community around accessible technology.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=6) Introduction: Micah Elizabeth Scott and Fadecandy
- [2:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=172) The Problem with 8-bit PWM and LED Perception
- [10:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=633) Fadecandy Hardware and Temporal Dithering
- [18:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=1081) The Triangle Sculpture and Particle Systems
- [25:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=1533) Open Source Software and Processing Integration
- [31:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=1908) Materials Science: HDPE, Acrylic, and Diffusion
- [40:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat#t=2456) From Siftio to Art Engineering and Community

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Fadecandy (product)
- WS2812 (chip)
- Adafruit (company)
- Neopixel (product)
- ARM Cortex-M4 (chip)
- Kinetis K20 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Processing (tool)
- Siftio (company)
- Burning Man (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [LEDs Everywhere with Tim from Mitxela](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-07-08-leds-everywhere-with-tim-from-mitxela) (The Amp Hour)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-08-12-the-spark-gap-episode-39) (The Spark Gap)
- [Ep 366: DOOM on a Toaster, Music in LED Strips, and Old Drives in New Clothes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-04-17-ep-366-doom-on-a-toaster-music-in-led-strips-and-old-drives-in-new-clothes) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep067: Winking Out of IoT, Seas of LEDs, Stuffing PCBs, and Vectrex is Awesome](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-05-15-ep067-winking-out-of-iot-seas-of-leds-stuffing-pcbs-and-vectrex-is-awesome) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 377: Parallel Pixels, Wiggly Consoles, and Seven Segments](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-07-10-ep-377-parallel-pixels-wiggly-consoles-and-seven-segments) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-07-27-41-pink-universes-die-really-quickly-repeat. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.