# 355: Favorite Ways to Make Noises

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2020-12-11
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 355
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises

## Summary

Helen Leigh, Head of Community at CrowdSupply and author of The Crafty Kid's Guide to DIY Electronics, discusses her upcoming book on DIY music technology and her transition from freelance maker to corporate community leader. She details specific projects including a soft CrackleBox built with embroidered traces and an LM386 amplifier, the Mini.Mu gesture-sensing gloves created with Imogen Heap and Pimoroni, and a purring tentacle designed for comfort. The conversation covers microcontroller selection (Teensy, Arduino, Makey Makey), conductive materials like Madeira thread, and the rigorous vetting process at CrowdSupply compared to other platforms.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=6) Introduction and Career Update
- [2:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=134) Lightning Round: Instruments and Tools
- [12:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=757) The Mini.Mu Glove Collaboration
- [19:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=1181) Upcoming DIY Music Tech Book
- [30:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=1814) The Embroidered CrackleBox Project
- [36:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=2185) Microcontroller Selection and Education
- [48:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=2888) Starting at CrowdSupply
- [59:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises#t=3549) Conductive Thread and the Purring Tentacle

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- CrowdSupply (company)
- The Crafty Kid's Guide to DIY Electronics (product)
- Mini.Mu Glove (product)
- Imogen Heap (other)
- Pimoroni (company)
- LM386 (chip)
- Makey Makey (product)
- Teensy (product)
- Arduino (product)
- Bela (company)
- Trill (product)
- Madeira (company)
- Kalgrimm (company)
- Bunnie Huang (other)
- Precursor (product)
- Mouser (company)
- Tindie (company)
- HackSpace magazine (other)
- Raspberry Pi (company)
- Teardown Festival (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [MNT Pocket Reform, Apple E-Ink display, Pi Pico Midi Step Sequencer, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-09-28-mnt-pocket-reform-apple-e-ink-display-pi-pico-midi-step-sequencer-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Ep 325: The Laugh Track Machine, DIY USB-C Power Cables, and Plastic Punches](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2025-06-20-ep-325-the-laugh-track-machine-diy-usb-c-power-cables-and-plastic-punches) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Electromaker of the Month Winners, Maker Music Festival, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-03-10-electromaker-of-the-month-winners-maker-music-festival-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Raspberry Pi Pico DAQ, Pine64 Audio Board, Vintage Computer Fest, and More!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-04-21-raspberry-pi-pico-daq-pine64-audio-board-vintage-computer-fest-and-more) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Ep055: Most Cyberpunk Synthesizer, Data in Your Cells, Bubbly in Your Printer, & Dystopian Peepshow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-02-21-ep055-most-cyberpunk-synthesizer-data-in-your-cells-bubbly-in-your-printer-dysto) (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/2020-12-11-355-favorite-ways-to-make-noises. 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.