Electronics Projects San Francisco

# Analog Electronics for Guitar Pedals ## Session 1: Breadboarding the Transistor Amplifier Ever wondered how a guitar pedal actually works? At the heart of most fuzz and boost pedals is a humble transistor doing something elegant: amplifying your signal. The **common emitter amplifier** is one of the most important circuits in analog electronics — and once you understand it, you'll see it everywhere. The Big Muff Pi is a chain of common emitter stages. The Electra Fuzz is built around a single one. Joe Davisson's Vulcan Overdrive uses the topology as its foundation. In this session we'll build one from scratch on a breadboard and learn exactly how it works. We'll cover: * **Ohm's Law** — the foundation of everything * **Resistor dividers** — how to set voltages * **Biasing a transistor** — how to wake it up and make it work * **Building a common emitter amp on a breadboard** — see and hear it in action No prior electronics experience required. Bring your curiosity. Breadboards, components, and multimeters available to share. Already working on a pedal project? Bring it along! This is an open, collaborative space — you're welcome to work on your own build, ask questions, and share what you're making. This is Session 1 of a three-part series. Session 2 will take what we build here and turn it into a real prototype, and Session 3 will explore the op-amp.

6 attendees

🦖 Webcam Powered Dino Alert Electronics Project (CHM)

Tue, Apr 21, 2:00 AM

In this fun, beginner-friendly project, you’ll build a system that uses your laptop’s webcam to detect motion and trigger a hilarious **“Dino Alert!”** on screen. When movement is detected, a T-Rex appears, opens its mouth, waves its tiny arms, and warns everyone nearby with a roar. No prior experience is required. By the end, you’ll have a working Dino Alert system—and a solid foundation for building more advanced projects that combine software and electronics. **If you have a laptop, please bring it — but come anyway if you don’t!**

7 attendees

Open House / Open Build / Open Repair Projects Workshop

Sat, Apr 18, 1:30 AM

From Circuit Launch

4.8

Our monthly Circuit Launch Oakland "Open House" evening for everyone, fun for the whole family! Join us every third Friday evening of the month: **○ Robot, AI and Electronics Projects:** Start a project, continue a project or discover one here: we provide the space, tools and peer learning – you bring your project and enthusiasm! **○ Repair Projects:** Fixit Clinic's monthly residency at Circuit Launch: bring your repair projects – electronic gadgets, appliances, computers, toys, etc.– for consultation, assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. We’ll provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. First-time repairers and “Fixing Families” are heartily invited. Learn more at [https://www.fixitclinic.org/](https://www.fixitclinic.org/) **○ Tech Topic Discussions and Practice:** join the AI thought leadership practise group for lively conversation: Come share your knowledge -- or your lack thereof: all experience levels welcome. It's definitely worth a visit if you've never been here: tour Circuit Launch and see all the exciting companies and projects in progress. – U18s heartily welcome with a participating adult. – Equipment use outside of the soldering and debugging gear requires certification. Looking forward to seeing you this third Friday!

8 attendees

The Happy Little Arduino Spin Machine (CHM)

Tue, Apr 28, 2:00 AM

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll build your own **motor-powered spin art machine** using an Arduino—no experience required. At the heart of it all is a **DC motor**—your tiny but powerful artist. You’ll wire it up, control its speed, and watch as simple code transforms motion into mesmerizing patterns. Turn a knob, tweak the speed, and see how different rotations create completely unique designs. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about **controlled chaos**. A drop of paint, a burst of speed, and suddenly you’ve got something surprisingly beautiful. By the end, you’ll: * Understand the basics of controlling a motor with Arduino * Adjust speed in real time to shape your art * Create your own one-of-a-kind spin paintings * Walk away thinking, *“Okay… I can actually do electronics.”* Expect a little mess, a lot of laughs, and a machine that turns code into creativity. **If you have a laptop, please bring it — but come anyway if you don’t!**

Resident Electronics Monthly meetup!

Fri, Apr 24, 3:00 AM

A recurring electronic music open mic. * **Every 4th Thursday of the month at 8pm** * **INSTAGRAM:** [https://www.instagram.com/resident_electronicmonthly/](https://www.instagram.com/resident_electronicmonthly/) * **YOUTUBE:** [Playlist and upcoming live](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLR85h2qnyy8Aubv2FvK-H9zL1fGhPbFxR) * **FREE** **Hosts** * [Franck Martin](https://www.peachymango.org/) * [TanukiSpiderCat](https://tanukispidercat.com/) **Sign up / further info at**: [https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Resident_Electronic_Music](https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Resident_Electronic_Music)

5 Minutes of Fame!

Fri, Apr 17, 3:00 AM

Happening in the space Let's share all of the cool things we've working on! 5MoF, or 5 Minutes of Fame, is where hackers get the opportunity to present what they've been working on to an audience of fellow hackers and curious, awesome people. With enough people, we generally let everyone get to speak, but given we can talk about our things forever, there will definitely be an after-hours hangout sesh. No need to bring a project, just come and get inspired!

Woodworking Wednesdays

Thu, Apr 30, 1:00 AM

Come to work on your own projects and learn how to use our tools. We have a planer, drill presses, hand tools, a table saw, and much more!

3 attendees

Music Writing Group

Sun, Apr 26, 11:00 PM

If you write music or want to start, come to Noisebridge and meet others doing the same. Connect, collaborate, and get creative feedback. If you’re stuck or dealing with writer’s block, swing by for inspiration and to learn from others. We’ll occasionally have short presentations on music topics, and we’ll wrap up each session with some chatting or a casual jam. In this group, we’ll take turns sharing the music we’ve been working on recently. If you choose to receive feedback, members will offer constructive comments and critiques. Each person can share one piece per session. If time allows, we’ll give everyone a chance to share additional work or ideas :)

All things software infrastructure

Tue, Apr 28, 2:00 AM

Bring a laptop if you can. Meeting format: * Introductions. Background & goals/interests for the meeting. * Lesson or Demo * Questions & Discussion * Readings & Exercises, for future meetings Find [past notes & more information online](https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Meetups/Infra). Find us also in #meetup-infra of [Noisebridge's Discord server](https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Discord#Join_our_Discord).

2 attendees

Gamebridge Game Development Meetup

Thu, Apr 16, 2:00 AM

THE MEETUP IS HAPPENING IN PERSON AND ONLINE VIA STREAMING ON OUR DISCORD SERVER. (https://discord.gg/R9GkDjk) IN THE "Church Classroom" CHANNEL. Learn to make games, music and art in free beginner-friendly class meetups with tutorials! (https://gamebridgeu.wordpress.com/tutorials) and projects (https://gamebridgeu.wordpress.com/projects). WHEN: 7-9ish PM PST Wednesdays WHERE: Noisebridge Hackerspace, (https://noisebridge.net) 272 Capp St, San Francisco, CA 94110 WE ARE IN THE DISCORD!! ^__^ https://discord.gg/R9GkDjk • Noisebridge Hackerspace Meeting (https://noisebridge.net/meeting): 7-7:30pm every Tuesday. meet Noisebridge members & participate in the broader community! • What to bring: a laptop, Unity, Unreal, Godot, or any game engine of choice, game, art and music tools!(http://gamebridgeu.wordpress.com/resources). .

Laser Cutter Safety Training

Sun, Apr 26, 9:00 PM

Learn how to be safe while using the laser cutter! We have a 150W, CO2 laser cutter with a 3 x 4 ft bed. This training is required to use the laser cutter because we don't want people setting our most expensive equipment donation on fire. You have to do this training even if you were trained at the old space, as we have different safety features now. Training covers * Dangers of the laser cutter * How to be safe * How to put out a fire Each participant will cut a piece of cardboard on the laser cutter while following all the safety steps. This is also a good place to ask questions about specific materials or projects. There is a 5$ fee to register, and we suggest a 20-30$ donation for this class: https://donate.noisebridge.net. If the registration fee is a barrier to your participation, please reach out to the event organisers.

4 attendees

Bandsaw, Drill Press, Panel Saw Basics & Certification @ Ace Makerspace

Sun, Apr 19, 5:00 PM

From Ace Makerspace

4.8

YOU MUST PURCHASE TICKETS THROUGH THE ACE MAKERSPACE WEBSITE: [www.acemakerspace.org/calendar](https://www.acemakerspace.org/calendar/) Bandsaws for cutting curves and Drill Presses for precision holes! This workshop goes over the core principles of using these tools in the Ace Workshop including certification. This class is great for beginners and experienced folks alike. **Bonus:** Learn how to use the Panel Saw to break down plywood sheets quickly and accurately. **Class Type:** Access **Level:** Beginner **Timing:** 3 hours **Location:** Suite #214 Workshop **Corequisite:** Shop Basics **Certifications:** Bandsaw, Drill Press, Panel Saw **Age:** 16+ with parent or guardian also taking the class **Agenda** * Bandsaw basics * Drill Press basics * Panel Saw basics * Proper dust collection, safe use of the saws, and shop protocols **What to bring:** A notebook or well-charged phone for taking notes. **What to wear:** Closed-toe shoes, short sleeves, and work clothes. Long hair must be tied back. **Safety Gear:** Eye protection, ear protection, and hand sanitizer will be provided. You can also bring your own. New Guests must [sign up for a FREE Guest Account and sign their liability waiver](https://www.acemakerspace.org/product/guest-account/) before this event starts. Add the FREE account on check out or sign up here → [FREE Guest Account](https://www.acemakerspace.org/product/guest-account/). If you need a scholarship for this class, please [submit this request form.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyuFC_Cv4EdCcQUFFkSVSb4NHuhisZ1z6DJI_i-BWz8wznBw/viewform) You may be notified as little as 24 hours before the event. Ace Makerspace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit member-supported organization. All proceeds support Ace Makerspace and help us serve over 1200 people a year with innovative programs, equitable access to makerspace resources, and more creative, self-reliant communities in Oakland.

2 attendees

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