Audio DSP with Shannon Parks

The Amp Hour · 19 Oct 2020 · 1h 28m · Episode 513

What this episode covers

Dave Jones, founder of Parks Audio, explains how his Puffin phono preamp uses a Cortex-M4 microcontroller to apply digital signal processing to analog vinyl records, addressing the specific needs of audiophiles. He details the engineering challenges of managing limited 64KB memory, using single-precision floating-point math, and implementing a custom pop-and-click suppression algorithm called 'Magic'. Jones also discusses his business strategy of selling directly to consumers via Amazon FBA while maintaining a single-product focus to manage his one-person factory operations.

Mentioned

Companies
Parks Audio, Macrofab, Amazon
Products
Puffin
Chips
Cortex-M4
Tools
MATLAB, Python
Also
Steve Hoffman Forums

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 09m

    357: How Do You Think Waffles Work?

    Hosts Elecia White and Christopher White discuss a variety of topics, including the release of a new Embedded.fm T-shirt and the availability of old transcripts. Christopher White details the complex process of producing a vinyl album with his band 12AX7, covering recording, mixing, and mastering challenges. The hosts then analyze how to build a DIY gunshot detection system using off-the-shelf hardware like the BeagleBone Black and MEMS microphones, before offering advice on workplace credit and project management tool consolidation.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 14m

    507: Turn Our Data Into Predators

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the Embedded.fm Patreon book club's study of 'Data-Driven Science and Engineering' by Steven L. Brunton and J. Nathan Kutz, focusing on linear algebra, spectral methods, and the Datasaurus dozen. Christopher White details his Dogbotic 'Do-It-Yourself Rhythm Widgets' course, where he builds an analog drum machine using CMOS logic ICs, op-amps, and piezo triggers on breadboards. The hosts also explore the 'I Saved a PNG Image To A Bird' video, discussing AudioMoth ultrasonic recorders and BirdNET-Pi for field audio analysis.

  • Embedded.fm · 58m

    471: Bicycle Built For Two

    Andrew Ikenberry, founder of Electrosmith and Qu-Bit, discusses the Daisy Seed platform, an embedded system for audio processing featuring an STM32H750 microcontroller and external SDRAM. He details the 'codec saga,' where supply chain disruptions forced three hardware redesigns (AKM, Cirrus Logic, TI) due to factory fires and obsolescence. Ikenberry explains how Electrosmith manages in-house SMT assembly in San Clemente to maintain quality control and iterates on manufacturing processes like reflow profiles to ensure reliability for B2B customers.

  • Hackaday Podcast · 53m

    Ep102: Raspberry Pi Microcontroller, Microphone Killswitch, and a 45-Degree 3D-Printer

    Hackaday editors Elliot Williams and Mike Szczys review the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, highlighting its RP2040 chip, dual Cortex-M0+ cores, and unique Programmable IO (PIO) hardware for precise bit-banging. They also discuss an Amazon Echo Flex teardown revealing a hardware-based microphone killswitch, and a 45-degree 3D printer that eliminates the need for support structures by angling the nozzle. The episode covers various community hacks, including a wall-sized pen plotter, an open-source RC protocol, and a Dubai LED bulb design focused on longevity.

  • Embedded.fm · 1h 22m

    511: Forty Trillion Divides

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss the Embedded.fm podcast's 511th episode, marking the transition to the 10th bit of show history. They brainstorm potential categories for an 'Embeddies' awards show, debate the merits of Vim versus nano editors, and explore using linear algebra on AI cores for non-inference tasks like control systems. The hosts also offer advice on self-motivation in writing, remote device QA, and strategies for switching microcontroller vendors.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Amp Hour. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.