How Synth Kit Was Made: littleBits — Music Maker (3)

Published on 25 August 2014, the third instalment explores littleBits as the foundation of Synth Kit. Sakamaki introduces Ayah Bdeir’s ambition to make electronic circuits as approachable as familiar building materials, and explains why that system inspired him to imagine a synthesizer.

Published on 25 August 2014, the third instalment explores littleBits as the foundation of Synth Kit. Sakamaki introduces Ayah Bdeir’s ambition to make electronic circuits as approachable as familiar building materials, and explains why that system inspired him to imagine a synthesizer.

Magnetic connectors attract in the correct orientation and repel when reversed. Colour identifies the function: blue for Power, green for Output, pink for Input and orange for Wire. A basic power-to-output chain can gain a button to control an LED or a slider to control a motor.

The aim is not merely to assemble a working circuit. The modules are materials for projects conceived by their users. The article also introduces the NASA collaboration SPACE KIT and an Arduino module, showing how a consistent set of connection rules can support a growing range of creative uses.