hallucination Visor - soldering & mind hacking workshop

Modify welding goggles to project diffuse flickering colors. Hit resonant frequencies of visual cortex and observe complex unstable spatiotemporal patterns. Hack your brain.

• Custom printed circuit board
• Preprogrammed micro-controller : 100+ color light patterns, shuffle, browse, or play in sequence
• Passive components, batteries, switches and LEDs
• Laser cut light diffuser panels with custom quasi-crystal artwork
• Everything you need ( additional materials such a as soldering and glue will be provided )

• Flicker induced geometric visual hallucinations
• Ganzfeld hallucinations
• Other neurological illusions and demonstrations

The hallucination visor displays immersive flickering lights. While completely safe for most people, individuals that suffer from photosensitive epilepsy or flicker induced vertigo should not use this device. The visor is not designed for individuals with a lazy eye or other ophthalmological conditions that interfere with convergence and depth perception.

Ready to hack your mind?

Last night marked the first workshop of "Build Your Own Audio Amplifier" at the AS220 Labs, an introductory soldering and construction class based around Elliot Clapp's Dirtbomb Amp Design. The workshop provides students with a kit, complete with a circuit board, components, and an enclosure - all of which are assembled by the students.

The kit was entirely design and developed by Labs Keymember, Elliot Clapp. Using both the Milling Machine to prototype the electronics and the Laser Cutter to design the acrylic enclosure. The kit will be developed more and available for sale soon on our online store, and of course there will be more workshop offerings based around the kit, so stay tuned

What can you do with it?

• Use it as a mini-amplifier (2 Watts) for practicing at home or on the go
• Use it as a pre-amplifier and plug it into a speaker cabinet
• Use it in-between your instrument and amplifier, it's also an overdrive pedal!

Check out more photos from the workshop...

Listen up fellow makers, fabricators, and those who like to work with their hands! We got some exciting new hands-on courses at the labs coming up, check them out below.

Laser Cut Textiles

Learn how to lasercut textiles and make your own Halloween costume while you're at it! This machine enables entirely new possibilities from easily cutting pattern pieces (within 1' x 2' dimensions) to creating new textures, functional decorations, dimensional objects, and even etching images or text onto fabric! This class will also include sewing tutorials for lasercut textile applications. Different techniques will be demonstrated and experimenting will be encouraged!

Part I - October 29th, 1-6PM
Part II - October 30th, 1-6PM
Instructor - Jenine Bressner

Sign up at our online store

Soft Circuits

Soft Circuits I - This workshop is an introduction to soft circuits, including tips on working with conductive thread and guidance on sewing connections between a light and a battery. You will experiment with conductive everyday objects, like metal beads, to make a flickering felt brooch.

Soft Circuits II - This workshop builds upon the skills learned in the Soft Circuits I workshop, but can be taken without any previous experience. In this workshop you will learn how to add multiple lights to a circuit while creating an illuminated bracelet (or cuff) that shines only when worn.

Soft Circuits I - November 5th, 1-4PM
Soft Circuits II - November 12th, 1-4PM
Instructor - Anna Kaziunas France

Sign up at our online store

For questions regarding class schedules and enrollment, contact james@as220.org

Fellow makers of all things noisy, lend me your ears!

This month, we got a special workshop going on at the labs. Traveling circuit bending rock band, CMKT 4 will be stopping by the labs to host a "Build a Contact Microphone" workshop on Thursday, September 22nd. Contact microphones are awesome for noise making and experimenting. Just check out some cool projects here - Get LoFi. You can record sound traveling through any material (metal, wood, your body...starting to get awesome ideas?).

What can you do with a contact mic? Put it into a glass of water in the freezer and record the sound of water freezing or unfreezing. it sounds really cool! Slap it on a banjo or any acoustic instrument and electrify it!

Build a Contact Microphone Workshop

Join the members of the circuit-bent rock band CMKT4 for a workshop on building your very own EconoMIC Bottle Cap Contact Microphone (from Creme DeMentia).  CMKT4 will show you how to solder up a piezo-electric pickup and house it sturdily in a recycled bottle-cap housing of their own design! Stick around for a set from the band as the tool-handle dip on your freshly built contact microphone dries. Additional take-home kits and other surprises will be available, come build a mic and see and hear some of the circuit-bent instruments you've read about on www.GetLofi.com  up close.  Bring your own instruments and objects to amplify!

The workshop is going to be held on Thursday, September 22nd from 7-10PM at the AS220 Labs. Students pay $20 to partake in the class, this includes materials to build 1 contact mic, and additional kits are available for $10 each. Pre assembled kits will also be on sale for students to purchase.

*To enroll in the course, go here - online store. *

Ready to make some noise? You're neighbors will love you.

The labs is offering a course next month that features the artist-friendly programming language, Processing. The language was designed to teach computer programming visually rather than cryptically, making it easier for the programmer to understand the building blocks of their program. It is used by a community of electronic artists and graphic/visual designers to make all types of interesting projects (like the picture above).

Here is an example of something you can build using processing:
a processing program that allows you to generate your own typography.

Here at the labs, we think that computer programming doesn't have to be complicated and is accessible to people that aren't computer scientists. Let's face it, computers are awesome and they can do magical things. There is probably an idea brewing up in your head that can be translated into a program and do something awesome - you just need to understand the basic building blocks, and the rest is up to your imagination. The creative programming course will take students through computer programming in a fun and simple way - using the Processing programming language. Students will learn the basics, create a program, and use their program to actually make something!

Evelyn Eastmond, currently a RISD graduate student in the Digital Media program and a graduate of MIT's Media Lab, will be instructing the class. She strives to make learning easy, fun, and interactive. She has worked on the Scratch project, a programming language designed for kids. Check more of her work out here.

The workshop is going to be held over the course of this upcoming weekend, Saturday and Sunday - August 6th/7th from 12-4PM. Enroll Here!

Looking to be crafty and creative this summer? We have some brand new classes ( like sound synthesis and creative programming! ) at the labs. Come on and down, take a course and get trained to use our equipment or learn how to make something cool! Click on the classes below for a full description and sign up info.

June

Graphic Design Tools: Inkscape $50
Tuesday, June 14th 7-10PM

Make a Pinhole Camera with the Laser Cutter $75
Wednesday, June 8th 7-10PM and Saturday, June 11th, 12-4PM

Sign and Sticker Making with Vinyl Cutter $50
Saturday, June 4th 12-4PM

Introduction to Laser Cutting $70
Wednesday, June 15th 7-10PM

Make and Break
First Tuesday of every month!

July

Introduction to Audio Engineering: Two Weeks $75
Saturdays, July 23rd and 30th 12-4PM

Sound Synthesis with Pure Data $40
Tuesday, July 19th and Thursday, July 21st 7-10PM

Laser Cut Press Fit Design $50
Wednesday, July 20th 7-10PM

Sign and Sticker Making with the Vinyl Cutter $50
Tuesday, July 12th 7-10PM

Introduction to Laser Cutting $70
Wednesday, July 27th 7-10PM

Make and Break
First Tuesday of every month!

August

Creative Electronics with Arduino: 3 Weeks $125
Thursdays, August 4th, 11th, 18th 7-10PM

Creative Programming Weekend $50
Saturday, August 6th and Sunday, August 7th 12-4PM

Electronics for Artists: 3 Weeks $125
Wednesdays, August 10th, 17th, 24th 7-10PM

Laser Cutter Intensive: 2 Weeks $90
Tuesday, August 23rd and Thursday, August 25th 7-10PM

Make and Break
First Tuesday of every month!

AS220 Labs is bringing back Make and Breaks this month. This one in particular we will be featuring the Doomsday Device!

So what is a "Make and Break"?

Well...it's basically an excuse to nerd out for the night. It is totally open to anyone that wants to come down to the labs and check out what's going on. They will occur every month, and each event will feature a new type of project that you can make and/or hack.

So what is the "Doomsday Device"?

The doomsday device is a noise making maniac electronic gadget thingy. It is basically an old alarm system circuit that has been gutted for its original purpose, and will now be used to make our device...the doomsday device. You can circuit bend it, hack it, make fun of it, whatever you want. The point of this is to have fun and maybe learn something about electronics along the way. Sound groovy?

What's the deal?

While the event itself is free, if you want to take a fancy doomsday device home with you, its going to cost you. Here is the breakdown of things:

• Spectators - Free
• Circuit benders (Not Taking Home Device!!!) - Free
• Bare Bones Kit (Not the Fancy Deluxe Kit) - $5
• Doomsday Device Kit (Fancy!!!) - $20

This is what you get with the Doomsday Device Kit:

• Doomsday Circuit
• Wires
• Thumb Tacks
• 2 Potentiometers (Control Knobs)
• 2 Control Switch
• 1 Power Switch
• 1/4" Instrument Jack (plug it into an amp!)
• Laser Cut Enclosure

See, it is cool! You could make your very own noise making machine and use it with your noise making band! Still don't believe me? Go to this facebook page and check out the video posted there.

Want to come?

It's Thursday, March 24th at 6:00PM - 9:00PM

It's at the new lab space at the mercantile building, around the back of the building on Martha Street is where the main entrance is. The address is 131 Washington Street, but that will take you to front of the building, just go around back!

See you there!

'Tis the season to be crafty and this December the labs is offering two fresh new courses that are fun, exciting, and a great opportunity to craft a gift for a loved one. These classes are also special because they will be the first classes held in the mercantile building. That's right! We have a brand new space, and we are very excited to get things going there.

Introduction to Laser Cut Press Fit Design

In this class, students will learn about the basics of press fit design using the Lab's Epilog Mini Laser Cutter. Students will fabricate and build a wine rack, decorative box, or birdhouse! Additionally, the students will have the opportunity to customize either project is unique etched graphics. This class will introduce the student to the concepts of press fit design and assembly. Students can chose to make either project and all materials will be provided. The class is comprised of one 3 hour session and you will take your project home at the end.

Check out Elliot Clapp's Birdhouse Design over to the right (you can make this!!!)

Sign up here.

Vinyl Cut Sign and Sticker Making

Learn the basics of using the vinyl cutter to make stickers and signs. Class includes the software tools and mounting techniques used to produce professional looking stickers and signs. This is a hands-on workshop and will certify Labs members to use the cutter on their own.

Sign up here.

And of course, and old favorite and staple to the labs is being offered this December. Get certified and trained to use AS220's house laser cutter! Hint: It might be a good class to take after taking the laser cut press cut class.

Intro to the Laser Cutter - Sign up here.

For more information on classes in the labs, contact james@as220.org

Next thursday night, the labs will be hosting a "salvage night". This is a night when anyone from the community can come and go through our junk pile and pick out anything they want. It's completely free, and snacks and refreshments will be provided too. You can come hang out and reminisce over old hardware, or just take things apart for no apparent reason. We will provide some tools for salvaging - screwdrivers, pliers, soldering irons, etc. Come on down and check out what we got!

Here is just a couple of the things you'll find lying in the junk pile:
- old computer parts
- computer chassis
- printers
- scanners
- wire and cables
- and other weird things

When: Thursday, October 21st 7:00-10:00PM
Where: AS220 Labs (2nd Floor, 115 Empire Street)
Why: Because we're moving and we have lots of junk!

For additional information, contact james@as220.org

The labs is offering a series of introductory courses this October. To sign up, just click on the name of the class below.

Introduction to the Laser Cutter
Saturday, October 9th, 1-4pm
Learn how to use this tool to cut or etch wood, plastics, papers or textiles! From 1pm to 4pm we will cover the basics of using the laser cutter safely, techniques for working with different materials, and the software tools for preparing work for the cutter. This is a hands-on workshop; bring a project if you like!

Electronics for Artists 101: Two Weeks
Wednesdays, October 13th and 20th, 7pm-10pm
Have you ever wanted to learned some basic electronics to add to your art? Do you want blinky things? Monster switches? Retro red digital numbers? This is the first of a series of classes designed to teach the basics of electronics to those interested mostly in the practical with just a little bit of the theoretical. EA101 will introduce students to basic electronic components, how to design and prototype simple circuits, and where to go from there.

Open Kit Build Night
Tuesday, October 26th, 7pm-10pm
Buy a cool kit and come build it in our labs! We'll provide the tools and the space. Choose from a dazzling variety of the following kits! TV-b-Gone Minty Boost bring your own container & 9v battery That's right! For the mere cost of parts, you'll walk out of our lab with a blinking, singing, tv-annihilating toy you made yourself!

Maker Faire came to Rhode Island this saturday, and filled downtown providence with all sorts of creative makers and hackers. Maker Faire is a family friendly festival to celebrate makers, creators, engineers, artists, science, technology, and all things related. The festival featured hands on building workshops, beer brewing, creative innovations, robots, and lots of maker bots.

I was there on behalf of the AS220 labs, accompanied by AS220 Cottage Industries Coordinator, Krystal Grow, and celebrity hacker, Jimmie Rodgers. Our station featured soldering workshops, where people came to assemble various electronics kits. TV-B-Gone, Mintyboost, Open Heart, Atari Punk Console, and Drawdio were among some of the kits available to the public.

There were quite a few makerbots hanging out on saturday. The one below is a makerbot that maker, Forest Crossman, assembled.

John Sarik displayed his Nixie Sudoku, which used 81 retro Nixie Tubes to create a electronic sudoku game that people can use and solve. Really cool!

Check out a complete list of all the makers that attended - here.

A huge thanks to Kipp Bradford and Brain Jepson, and all the Maker Faire crew that helped put of the festivities. It was a very exciting and interesting day.

This is what our June Artist-in-Residence Jimmie Rodgers showed me how to do last week:

It's an Atari Punk Console Noise Dolly! The Potentiometers are in her arms! When Jimmie told me he could turn toys into electronic instruments, my first thought was "Creepy Doll Orchestra." Now I'm one doll closer to realizing my vision. This weekend, I'm going to LASERCUT a little stage for them to play on.
It's Magic! And you can learn it too! This week and next, Jimmie will be hosting a series of workshops for you to learn how to turn your own toys into wonderful oddities.
Did you notice that we also have kits back in stock! You betcha! TV-b-Gone! MintyBoost! Open Heart! Buy a kit then drop by and learn from the master himself. Jimmie is only here for another week and a half! Don't miss out on the magic. Sign up NOW!!

That's right, it is officially GO TIME in the AS220 Labs. So many classes, so many weird and wonderful things for you to learn and see and make....like this:



It's the Open Heart by our Hacker-in-Residence Jimmie P. Rodgers.

For the entire month, Jimmie will be here to show us what he knows, and, to be corrupted by our all powerful and irresistible laser cutter. Look what he made on his first try:



In a few short weeks, Jimmie will be hosting some awesome workshops, like this:

Circuit Bend the Easy Button Tuesday, June 22 7-10pm.

Buy a Kit, Build a Kit Wednesday, June 23 7-10pm.

Atari Punk Console Kit Build Thursday, June 24 7-10pm.

Circuit Bending II Tuesday, June 29 7-10pm.

Buy a Kit Build a Kit Vol.2 Wednesday, June 30 7-10pm.

Or, just stop by any weeknight between 7 and 10 to say hello, hack some stuff and hang out. We'll be here, making stuff like this:

Atari Punk Console:

And talking about Jimmie's hacker space Artisan's Asylum opening June 18 in Union Square in Sommerville!

Resistance is Futile....resistors are plentiful. Get it while the gettin is good!

Listen up geeks: you do not want to miss what's goin' down in the labs this Spring. We have new classes and old classics seeking open minds and able hands to help us hack and hot wire our way out of winter. Behold-It's Springtime in the FabLab!

MARCH
13: Intro to the Laser Cutter 10am-1pm $65
18&25: Electronics for Artists 7-10pm $100(includes parts)
20&27: Lasercut a Pinhole Camera 1-4pm $55

APRIL
3: Intro to the Laser Cutter 10am-1pm $65
22: Programming Workshop 7-10pm FREE

MAY
1: Intro to the Laser Cutter 10am-1pm $65
5,9&12: Laser Cut Japanese Woodblock Printing $125
6,13,20&27: Introductory Arduino 7-9pm $200 (includes parts)

Sounds like fun, don't it! Visit our online store for detailed class descriptions and to reserve your spot!
Questions? Comments? Suggestions for super slick hacker savy classes?
e-mail krystal@as220.org

That's right folks, lasercutting is back with a vengance in the AS220 Labs. We're slicing and dicing our way through the dark days of winter, and this is your chance to get in on the fun! Didn't get a spot in this Saturday's sold-out class? Not to fear friends of the lasercutter, there's another class this Monday with 3 spots open!! Can't make it then? Then sign up for Broken Hearts Lasercutting on Saturday Feb.13th or almost-but-not-quite Leap Year Lasercutter on Feb. 27th and get your piece of laser glory. Come on, you know you wanna! Visit the online store to sign up!

Wednesday, June 24
7:00 - 8:30 PM
AS220 Labs
115 Empire St., 2nd floor

Come down to AS220 Labs and join the Pd club for it's first meeting!

Pd (Pure Data) is a graphical programming language and open source project with a large and growing user base. Pd is widely used by artists to create interactive computer music and multimedia works, and to some extent is interoperable with its commercial cousin Max/MSP.

The Pd club will be a periodic, informal gathering (a "patching circle") where Providence-area "patchers" can work together, exchange ideas, trouble-shoot, and learn from one-another. The club is open to all, from beginners to experts. Artists, students, teachers, programmers, hobbyists, and the "just-curious" are welcome. The only requirements are that you like a challenge and have a laptop.

On the agenda for the first meeting will be an introduction to Pd by Shawn Greenlee. Shawn will cover the basics of patching, working with sound, and handling communication with Arduino boards and MIDI devices.

Before the meeting adjourns, we'll get beginners up and running and determine the summer schedule for meetings.

What to bring: your laptop with Pd-extended installed. Pd-extended is available (for free) at http://puredata.info/downloads

More about Pd from the Pure Data portal.

By popular demand, an introductory-level class based on the Arduino microcontroller system will return to the Labs on Tueasdays beginning June 23rd. This is a thorough introduction to this open source development platform for creating your own interactive object(s). No previous programming or electronics experience necessary.

4 weeks, Tuesdays in June
June 23rd, 30th, July 7th, July 14th
Instructor: John Duksta Workshop cost: $100 + $100 materials fee = $200
Materials fee includes an Arduino and all components needed for the class. In the AS220 Labs space, 2nd floor, 115 Empire Street, Providence

Sign up here!

Bruce Wattendorf is organizing AS220's first 3D Printing Summit featuring Makerbot and RepRap demos and howtos. It will be held at AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence RI on June 12, 13, and 14.

The team will be building a MakerBot, a DIY open source 3D printer. The build will be organized as a series of sessions, so you can help AS220 build a MakerBot and learn about electronics, 3D printing, and the design of the bot. The meeting will kick off Friday night, June 12 at AS220 Labs (2nd floor) from 7-8:30pm to come up with a schedule for the weekend.

Sessions will from 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday and will be held in the Performance Space.

There is no charge for these sessions, but you can help AS220 by entering in a raffle
to win a MakerBot of your own. Details in the AS220 Shop.

For more information about the specific 3D printing platforms, visit:

http://makerbot.com
http://reprap.org

For more info contact Bruce at bwattendorf@gmail.com or 401-339-5625.

This workshop will introduce you to the basics of the Arduino microcontroller system. The goal is to introduce you to its open source development platform and get you started with the creation of your own interactive object(s). No previous programming or electronics experience necessary.

4 weeks, Tuesdays in May, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
May 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
Instructor: Lutz Hamel
Workshop cost: $100 + $100 materials fee = $200
Materials fee includes an Arduino and all components needed for the class. In the AS220 Labs space, 2nd floor, 115 Empire Street, Providence

Sign up here!

When: Wednesday March 25th, 5:30pm to 7pm
Where: AS220 Performance Space

The real fun in electronics is when you can use a circuit to make things go. Come learn some basics of electric motors, including DC motors, AC motors, servos, and steppers with Tom Sgouros (www.sgouros.com). Guest appearance by Judy the robot.

This session is free if you want to come and listen. You'll have to pay for materials if you want to complete the kit and take things home with you. Some sample motors will be available, which can also be purchased cheaply.