In this workshop participants will build simple audio synthesizers using recycled disposable vapes. Participants will leave with an understanding of disassembling vapes for parts and constructing an analog noise making circuit. Together we will review the necessary circuitry, and make breadboard variants inspired by the work of Forrest Mims in his “Timers Op-Amp’s and Optoelectronic Circuit.

We’ll also discuss opportunities for further experimentation and creative adaptations for both vape components and synths inspired by global traditions of resourceful making including gambiarra (Brazil), jugaad (India), Shanzhai and Lajilao (China), and shared ethos with community-based workshops like:

• NYC Resistor’s “Grab the Guts: Salvaging Electronic Parts from Street Trash” and “Use Those Guts: Building from Salvaged Components” series
• Disengineering Society’s “Vape Mic” workshop, where disposable vapes are salvaged and repurposed into functional microphones

No experience necessary. Participants will be provided vapes and all necessary electronics.

Who is this workshop for:

• Anyone curious about transforming discarded electronics into creative tools
• Artists and technologists working with electronics and sound
• Designers and makers interested in sustainable practices and material reuse
• Researchers exploring alternative design methodologies

About the Instructors: shuang cai, Kari Love, and David Rios, are all New York City-based creators working together as Paper Bag Team. They make projects that blend applied technology, art, and craft, while evoking a sense of fun and surprise. They met working at NYU ITP and began collaborating on an overlapping interest in making salvage parts more accessible to use and educating folks about how disposable vapes became an outsized source of e-waste. They gave a talk about the Vape Synth at Open Hardware Summit 2024.

This is a masks optional event.

We are a proactively inclusive space, and prioritize creating opportunities for the whole community to engage with our events, across all identities of race, creed, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, and ability; please read our Code of Conduct to familiarize yourself with our community’s values before attending. We are also an 18+ space, and accessibility information can be found here.

Harness the power of an Epilog 60 Watt Laser! In this class you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the ideas in your head become a reality with a laser.

In this three hour class, you will learn:

• How to set up a file for cutting on the laser cutter in Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator.
• Laser cutter safety including materials testing.
• Laser cutter operation including configuration, cuts and raster etching in common materials like wood, acrylic, cardboard and others.

At the end of class, you will go home with:

• One laser cut project, either the class default or a simple one of your own design (see below for details)
• Resistor Laser Certification, enabling you to use our laser on Craft Nights.

Please bring the following to class:

A laptop with either Inkscape (free: download here: https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.2.1/) or Adobe Illustrator installed.

A USB jump drive

The following items are optional if you’d like to try cutting a simple custom design. If your file ends up being too complicated, we may have you do the class default project first, just to learn the laser in the time allotted – but we’ll definitely help you with your more complex cut at a free Craft Night in future!

• An SVG vector file of a simple shape you’d like to cut for your first cut.
• A piece of 1/8 inch or thinner wood, acrylic or cardboard you’d like to cut. If you can’t bring your own material, small pieces will be made available, or larger pieces for purchase on site.

Please be on time for the start of class! If you’re late you will miss your slot.

This class will be taught by NYC Resistor member Woody. As with all NYC Resistor events, this class is 18+ and governed by our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct, as well as accessibility information, can be found at www.nycresistor.com/participate/.

Please note that refunds must be requested 72 hours in advance. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Harness the power of an Epilog 60 Watt Laser! In this class you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the ideas in your head become a reality with a laser.

In this three hour class, you will learn:

• How to set up a file for cutting on the laser cutter in Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator.
• Laser cutter safety including materials testing.
• Laser cutter operation including configuration, cuts and raster etching in common materials like wood, acrylic, cardboard and others.

At the end of class, you will go home with:

• One laser cut project, either the class default or a simple one of your own design (see below for details)
• Resistor Laser Certification, enabling you to use our laser on Craft Nights.

Please bring the following to class:

A laptop with either Inkscape (free: download here: https://inkscape.org/release/inkscape-1.2.1/) or Adobe Illustrator installed.

A USB jump drive

The following items are optional if you’d like to try cutting a simple custom design. If your file ends up being too complicated, we may have you do the class default project first, just to learn the laser in the time allotted – but we’ll definitely help you with your more complex cut at a free Craft Night in future!

• An SVG vector file of a simple shape you’d like to cut for your first cut.
• A piece of 1/8 inch or thinner wood, acrylic or cardboard you’d like to cut. If you can’t bring your own material, small pieces will be made available, or larger pieces for purchase on site.

Please be on time for the start of class! If you’re late you will miss your slot.

This class will be taught by NYC Resistor member Katie. As with all NYC Resistor events, this class is 18+ and governed by our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct, as well as accessibility information, can be found at www.nycresistor.com/participate/.

Please note that refunds must be requested 72 hours in advance. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Learn the basics of carving wood with hand tools to produce a fun and functional piece!

Spoon carving is not something easily done in one sitting. The purpose of this class is to educate students on the tools and processes involved in crafting a unique hardwood utensil. During the class, students will learn the difference between hardwood and softwood, the qualities of wood grain, and how to work with the wood that they have selected for their piece.

Students will be taught how to carve out the inner bowl of their spoon with gouges, shape the exterior and handle with carving knives, and refine the shape with rasps and files. Sanding and finishing will be explained as students may not reach this stage during the class time, and this is a process that can take multiple days!

This is a skills-learning class, and participants are not guaranteed to go home with a finished product. Students will be able to return to NYC Resistor during Craft Nights to access hand tools to work on their pieces to their satisfaction.

Who is this class for?

Beginner/Intermediate woodworkers, no prior experience needed

Your Instructor:

Atlas Thomas is a multimedia sculptor with experience working with mediums such as ceramics, textiles, glass, and wood. He learned the art of spoon carving at Pratt Institute, and was a member of the Fine Arts Woodshop Staff Spoon Club for 2 years.

This is a masks optional event.

As with all NYC Resistor events, this class is 18+ and governed by our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct, as well as accessibility information, can be found at www.nycresistor.com/participate/.

Please note that refunds must be requested 24 hours in advance. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Join us at NYC Resistor, a makerspace in Brooklyn for an electrifying Synthesizer Night! Get ready to unleash your creativity, explore sonic landscapes, and connect with fellow synth enthusiasts in an evening dedicated to the mesmerizing world of synthesizers. This is a pay-what-you-wish event (recommended donation $8).

Synthesizer Night at NYC Resistor is a celebration of all things synthesizer. Whether you’re a seasoned musician, an avid collector, or simply fascinated by the possibilities of electronic sound, this event offers a unique opportunity to gather with like-minded individuals and revel in the captivating soundscape of synthesizers.

At Synthesizer Night, participants are encouraged to bring their own synthesizers, from vintage analog gems to cutting-edge modular wonders. It’s a chance to showcase your personal setup, experiment with new equipment, and dive into the rich sonic tapestry that synthesizers offer.

For those looking to enhance the collaborative experience, consider arriving early to connect your synthesizer to a MIDI/CV clock. This allows for synchronized timing among all instruments, creating a seamless musical fusion during impromptu jam sessions.

In addition to the collaborative jam sessions, the event provides a unique opportunity for a show and tell/play with anything that attendees bring. Share your favorite gear, experiment with different setups, and engage in hands-on exploration of various synthesizers and electronic music equipment.

The event unfolds in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, providing a platform for musicians, enthusiasts, and curious minds to connect, collaborate, and share their passion for synthesis. Whether you’re a beginner seeking guidance or an expert eager to inspire others, Synthesizer Night is the perfect setting to engage in conversations, exchange knowledge, and foster a vibrant community. You can get in touch with https://fastfirewatchguards.com to ensure the event is safe and fully compliant with fire regulations.

Throughout the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in impromptu jam sessions, where the collective energy of multiple synthesizers intertwines to create awe-inspiring sounds. Experience the joy of collaborating with fellow musicians, experiment with different genres and styles, and let the unique characteristics of each instrument shape your sonic explorations.

Additionally, for those who wish to showcase their skills and perform, there will be dedicated performance slots. Take center stage, captivate the audience, and let your creativity soar as you demonstrate the full potential of your synthesizer setup. To sign up for a performance slot, email [email protected] or join our Discord and post to #synth.

Whether you’re an ardent synth enthusiast, an aspiring musician, or simply curious about the captivating world of synthesizers, Synthesizer Night at NYC Resistor is an event that will inspire, educate, and leave you in awe of the boundless possibilities that electronic sound offers. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in an evening of music, collaboration, and innovation. Mark your calendars, pack up your favorite synths, and join us at NYC Resistor for a night you won’t soon forget. We can’t wait to see you there!

This is a masks optional event.

As with all NYC Resistor events, this class is 18+ and governed by our Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct, as well as accessibility information, can be found at www.nycresistor.com/participate/.