Want to learn the basics of control voltages and analog music synthesis? Your hosts Andrew Kilpatrick and David Waldman of Kilpatrick Audio will give a musical and technical tour. Andrew’s PHENOL synths will be there for you to try. Bring a pair of headphones.

When: November 2, 2015 at 1900h
Where: Hacklab Classroom
Why: Because synths are awesome!

Please RSVP if you will be attending:

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/intro-to-analog-synths-tickets-19081611614

Just a reminder that the first class at the new Hacklab space will be presented on Monday! Come out and see our new classroom and learn about analog circuits!

Where: Hacklab Toronto Classroom – 1266 Queen Street West, Suite 12

When: Monday October 27, 2014 at 7:30-9:00pm

Who: Anyone is welcome to attend, and there is no fee. We ask for a donation to help us pay rent and keep the lights on.

Are you new to the world of analog circuitry? Learn to harness the power of analog circuitry in your next project.

Where: Hacklab Toronto Classroom – 1266 Queen Street West, Suite 12

When: Monday October 27, 2014 at 7:30-9:00pm

Who: Anyone is welcome to attend, and there is no fee. We ask for a donation to help us pay rent and keep the lights on.

Your host Andrew Kilpatrick has been building guitar effects and modular synthesizers through his Kilpatrick Audio brand since 2008. He wants to inspire more Hackers to explore the wonderful world of analog circuits.

No experience is necessary. This class will show basic theory through a presentation, demo and discussion.

Hacklab.to member Byron Sonne who was arrested June 22, 2010 on charges related to the G20 summit in Toronto was released on bail today. Byron is innocent until proven guilty and continues to be recognized as a full member of Hacklab Toronto. His trial will begin in November 2011.

Full information about the case, including links to media articles and other information can be found at: http://www.freebyron.org

Hacklab.to had one of the best booths at the Toronto Mini Maker Faire and our member aonomus made a great video about it! Join us at our open house every Tuesday night at 170A Baldwin Street in Toronto to see some of the projects that were on display at the faire.

Check out our new Hacklab Toronto video! See inside the lab, meet a few of our members and check out some of the cool stuff we do. Hacklab Toronto is open to the public every Tuesday night starting at 1800h. Come down and meet us sometime!

IMPORTANT UPDATE: (2009-03-30) The workshop is now full. – Andrew

Okay electronics and music enthusiasts, it’s time to get out your soldering irons! (or buy one if you don’t have one yet) We’re going to build Theremins! (no experience required) If you’re not familiar with this amazing musical instrument, check out the following video of Clara Rockmore, or read the Wikipedia page.

We’re going to build a design by the late great Robert Moog. The circuit is excellent, easy to build, and you’ll end up with a professional-quality instrument on par with any commercial model.  This is a great opportunity to learn some soldering and electronics skills and build a unique project. We’re going to provide kits since many of the parts are hard to find and expensive in single quantities. Here are the important details:

• Andrew Kilpatrick will lead the group
• Members and non-members are invited to take part – no electronics experience is necessary
• A maximum of 6 spaces are available this time around
• 4-6 workshops on Wednesday nights to build the project (extra time available as needed)
• Parts and supplies will cost approx. $120 – Please pay in advance to reserve your space.
  • includes quality parts, PCBs, power supply, connectors, controls
  • includes an acrylic laser-cut control panel (your choice of colour!)
  • doesn’t include a wooden enclosure – we can build some here if someone wants to help
• Andrew is designing an optional amplified speaker which you can build for approx. $50

Please email Andrew: hacklab-mail at andrewkilpatrick.org to express your interest and reserve a space. Once we have six people signed up and paid up we’ll get the parts and start building.  Andrew will mail participants with more details.

I’ve made a full writeup of the laser engraver project including the current firmware and schematics. It will be updated as things are tweaked and improved, but hopefully this helps give everyone a sense of what we’ve been up to.

Check out the article here.

About two weeks ago Hacklab acquired a Universal Laser Systems ULS-25P laser engraver. Ted found it for sale used for a small sum. But it had broken, ancient electronics which was the reason the unit was sold. We decided that it might be fun to try building our own electronics to get the unit going again. Exactly one week ago Dan and I came into the lab in the evening and tested the laser. We made a little Arduino program to send the laser the correct control signal. Amazingly, it worked! We burned a hole quite successfully through a piece of paper. With a 25W CO2 laser it would be possible to etch and cut a lot of materials under computer control!

A bunch of us worked all last weekend and a few nights this week building electronics, learning to configure and use the emc2 CNC software, and install a place for the unit to sit and proper ventilation to extract smoke and fumes from the etched material. And I am happy to report that exactly one week after initially testing the laser we have a fully working system! Below is a video of the very first run with the laser on.

We still have more to do learning about g-code and the CNC software, calibrating laser power and so on. Also, the machine needs to be moved to its final home in the bathroom with proper ventilation. I’ll be writing a complete page about all the technical details, including schematics, firmware, photos, etc. soon. For now enjoy the video, and please check it out next time you’re at the lab or ask on IRC.