# 220: Cascading Waterfall of Lights (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-09-17
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 220
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat

## Summary

Ben Hencke, founder of ElectroMage, discusses his Pixelblaze WiFi LED controller, a device based on the ESP8266 microcontroller that allows users to program LED patterns via a web interface using mathematical expressions. He details the technical advantages of using APA102 (DotStar) LEDs over WS2812 (Neopixel) strips, specifically regarding signal integrity and global brightness control for smoother dimming. Hencke also shares his journey from software engineering to selling hardware on Tindie, covering challenges in pricing, manufacturing, and marketing, while showcasing other projects like the 'Cynthia' synthesizer and a laser-cut acrylic night light.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [3:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=231) Open Source Hardware Summit and Community
- [7:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=453) The Wi-Fi Hat Hack and Math-Based Patterns
- [14:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=874) Pixelblaze Hardware and APA102 vs WS2812
- [24:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=1488) Selling on Tindie: Shipping, Marketing, and Pricing
- [39:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=2359) Manufacturing Challenges and Sourcing Parts
- [56:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-09-17-220-cascading-waterfall-of-lights-repeat#t=3389) Cynthia Synthesizer and Future Projects

## Topics

- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Pixelblaze (product)
- ElectroMage (company)
- Tindie (company)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- APA102 (chip)
- WS2812 (chip)
- ColorChord (product)
- Charles Lohr (other)
- Cynthia (product)
- Santa Cruz Idea Fab Lab (company)
- Small Batch Assembly (company)
- OSHPark (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep035: LED Cubes Taking Over, Ada Vanquishes C Bugs, Rad Monitoring is Hot, 3D Printing Goes Full 3D](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-09-12-ep035-led-cubes-taking-over-ada-vanquishes-c-bugs-rad-monitoring-is-hot-3d-print) (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)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-08-12-the-spark-gap-episode-39) (The Spark Gap)
- [Ep005: Undead Lightbulbs, Home Chemistry, and the Strength of 3D Printing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-02-08-ep005-undead-lightbulbs-home-chemistry-and-the-strength-of-3d-printing) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Arduino Light Lock, Raspberry Pi Pico Cluster, Multiplayer BLE DOOM, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-01-09-arduino-light-lock-raspberry-pi-pico-cluster-multiplayer-ble-doom-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)

## Citing this page

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