# 442: I Do Like Musical Robots

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2023-02-03
- Length: 51m
- Episode: 442
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/442

## Summary

Liz Clark, a contractor at Adafruit and creator of the BlitzCityDIY channel, discusses her work writing tutorials and building musical electronics. She details the technical specifics of MIDI protocols, Control Voltage (CV) for Eurorack synthesizers, and her personal 'Modular Melody Maker' project. The conversation also covers her use of Fusion 360 for 3D printing cases, the value of CircuitPython for rapid prototyping, and the recent shutdown of Mutable Instruments.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [3:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=228) Adafruit Show and Tell and Tutorial Writing
- [8:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=509) Trombone Hero Controller and MIDI Basics
- [11:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=660) MIDI Protocols, Connectors, and CV
- [24:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=1477) Eurorack, VCV Rack, and Mutable Instruments
- [36:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=2183) Modular Melody Maker Project and CAD Tools
- [43:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots#t=2586) CircuitPython vs. Bare Metal and Community Advice

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- Adafruit (company)
- BlitzCityDIY (product)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- VCV Rack (tool)
- Mutable Instruments (company)
- CircuitPython (tool)
- Arduino (tool)
- Onshape (tool)
- OpenSCAD (tool)
- FreeCAD (tool)
- Reason (tool)
- Trombone Hero (product)
- NeoPixel (product)
- QT Py (product)
- Pico W (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 173: EMF Camp Special Edition](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-06-17-ep-173-emf-camp-special-edition) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [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)
- [474: The Doublemint Gum Remote Control](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2025-03-07-474-the-doublemint-gum-remote-control) (Making It)
- [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)
- [Apple II controlled Synthesizer, Rust on Everything, New Pi Bootloader](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2022-02-10-apple-ii-controlled-synthesizer-rust-on-everything-new-pi-bootloader) (The Electromaker Show)

## 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/2023-02-03-442-i-do-like-musical-robots. 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.