# Audio DSP with Shannon Parks

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2020-10-19
- Length: 1h 28m
- Episode: 513
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/513-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks/

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=0) Introduction: The Vinyl Resurgence and Market Context
- [12:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=752) Puffin Product Overview and Customer Expectations
- [25:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=1517) Hardware Architecture: Cortex-M4, ADC/DAC, and Power
- [48:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=2899) DSP Development: MATLAB, Python, and C Implementation
- [1:04:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=3887) Implementing 'Magic' Pop and Click Suppression
- [1:10:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=4218) Business Model: Single Product Focus and Manufacturing
- [1:18:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2020-10-19-audio-dsp-with-shannon-parks#t=4701) Selling on Amazon FBA and Community Engagement

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Parks Audio (company)
- Puffin (product)
- Cortex-M4 (chip)
- Macrofab (company)
- Amazon (company)
- MATLAB (tool)
- Python (tool)
- Steve Hoffman Forums (other)

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- [507: Turn Our Data Into Predators](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-08-07-507-turn-our-data-into-predators) (Embedded.fm)
- [471: Bicycle Built For Two](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2024-02-22-471-bicycle-built-for-two) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep102: Raspberry Pi Microcontroller, Microphone Killswitch, and a 45-Degree 3D-Printer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-01-22-ep102-raspberry-pi-microcontroller-microphone-killswitch-and-a-45-degree-3d-prin) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [511: Forty Trillion Divides](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-10-02-511-forty-trillion-divides) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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