the benefits of analog in an all digital world

cassettes are back!

by steven stromer, Jan 14, 2025

It has been a full thirty years since the final throes of the portable cassette player, twenty years since the prime of the portable CD, already over fifteen years since file-sharing came and went, and as many years since digital music subscription services rose to become our musical overlords. So, why would anyone consider reaching for a cassette player in 2024? It may not seem logical, but here's one take on why the cassette tape is the format most primed for a comeback.

topic:  fixin 'n tinkerin

keywords:  portable compact cassette tapes, walkman, fixing, tinkering, right to repair

circuit build using a pic microcontroller and a device programmer

shift the pitch!

by julian stromer and steven stromer, feb 5, 2025

I have always been interested in how electrical engineers take their ideas and build electronic circuits. I have also started listening to more music. This gave me the idea to combine the two, and build a circuit that can change how the music I listen to sounds. I decided to build an audio pitch-shifter.

topic:  fixin 'n tinkerin

keywords:  microchip pic microcontroller, pickit programmer, electronics circuit prototyping, pitch shifter