#RaspberryPi #STEMinistHacks

Every once in a while, I like to remind myself that curiosity doesn’t always come with a user manual — sometimes, it comes with a pile of parts, a few YouTube tabs, and a mild panic that you’ve just voided every warranty in sight.

So when I stumbled on a Raspberry Pi tutorial for a DIY DJ controller, I couldn’t resist. Engineering meets EDM? Sign me up.

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⚙️ The Idea

Take one small computer (a Raspberry Pi), add some knobs, faders, LEDs, and software, and technically you can mix music from scratch. The beauty of Raspberry Pi is that it makes complex systems feel tangible — perfect for someone who loves bridging creativity with logic.

I wasn’t trying to become the next Tiësto — I just wanted to learn how sound waves could be built, manipulated, and remixed through code.

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🧩 The Build

I started with the basics:

• Raspberry Pi 4 (the tiny brain of the operation)
• Adafruit knobs and faders
• Mini breadboard + jumper wires
• Free DJ software (Mixxx + Python MIDI libraries)

From there, it became a beautiful mess of wiring, coding, and re-coding. My first “beat” sounded more like a dial-up tone than a dance track — but the satisfaction of hearing it respond to my own circuit design? Unmatched.

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🎛️ What I Learned

• Audio = engineering in disguise. It’s all physics, frequencies, and math — wrapped in rhythm.
• Debugging feels like remixing. You make small tweaks, test, and listen for harmony.
• Perfection isn’t the point. Creation is. Even when it’s crunchy or off-beat.

And as an engineer, it reminded me that STEM isn’t just about precision — it’s about play.

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🎧 Want to Try It Without the Soldering Iron?

If DIY kits sound intimidating but you’re curious about music tech, check out SoundWorks DTX — a creative studio and school in Dallas that offers intro DJ and production classes.

Their team blends technology, artistry, and rhythm in a way that’s approachable for beginners but inspiring for tech minds. It’s a perfect entry point for STEMinists who want to experience the sound side of innovation — without needing a soldering gun.

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🔌 The “STEMinist” Takeaway

This project had nothing to do with my day job, and everything to do with staying curious. I built something that made sound, made sense, and made me smile — and that’s kind of the point of it all, right?

The next version? LED lights that sync with bass drops. Because who says a STEMinist can’t also spin?

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STEM meets sound — and sometimes, it’s perfectly imperfect.
🎶💡 Keep learning, keep tinkering, keep the beat going.

#RaspberryPi #STEMinistHacks #WomenInSTEM #MakerMindset #CreativeTech