# 359: You Can Never Have Too Many Socks (Repeat)

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2022-11-18
- Length: 1h 05m
- Episode: 359
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/359-repeat

## Summary

Thea Flowers, founder of Winterbloom, discusses her open-source hardware synthesizer modules, including Castor & Pollux and Big Honking Button, which utilize the SAMD21 microcontroller and CircuitPython. She explains the hybrid analog-digital design of Castor & Pollux, which emulates the Roland Juno 106 voice, and details her transition from software engineering to hardware manufacturing. Flowers highlights the challenges of scaling production, such as the difficulty of assembling the Sol module, and her strategy of using contract manufacturers while maintaining open-source transparency to build a profitable small business.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=6) Introduction: Thea Flowers and Winterbloom
- [4:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=241) Eurorack Synthesizers and Generative Music
- [10:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=615) Castor & Pollux: Emulating the Roland Juno 106
- [14:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=875) The SAMD21 Microcontroller and CircuitPython
- [23:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=1428) Design Methodology: Sol and Big Honking Button
- [32:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=1955) Background and Starting Winterbloom in 2020
- [39:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=2363) Marketing, Fulfillment, and ADHD Challenges
- [43:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=2619) Manufacturing, Testing, and Open Source Philosophy
- [57:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-11-18-359-you-can-never-have-too-many-socks-repeat#t=3462) PCB Panels and Reverse Engineering the Juno

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Winterbloom (company)
- Castor & Pollux (product)
- Big Honking Button (product)
- Sol (product)
- SAMD21 (chip)
- Roland Juno 106 (product)
- CircuitPython (tool)
- Adafruit (company)
- Feather M0 (product)
- Teensy (product)
- Arduino (company)
- PCBWay (company)
- Royal Circuits (company)
- OSH Park (company)
- Sanwa (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 16 - Open Hardware with Thea Flowers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2024-03-14-ep-16-open-hardware-with-thea-flowers) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [Secret Squirrel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2017-10-02-secret-squirrel) (The Amp Hour)
- [An Interview with Ian Lesnet - Bus Buccaneer Builder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-12-11-an-interview-with-ian-lesnet-bus-buccaneer-builder) (The Amp Hour)
- [069 - Canned Cheese and Onion Rings](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2024-04-17-069-canned-cheese-and-onion-rings) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [An Interview with Ken Burns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2019-09-16-an-interview-with-ken-burns) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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