Hot Gadget Hacks How-Tos

How To: Make a mellotron

Rocketboom Field Correspondent Bre Pettis on how to make a mellotron. You might remember this organ-like, polyphonic keyboard from the Beatles song "Strawberry Fields Forever." With a Walkman tape players, a keyboard, and a speaker, you can create your own musical instrument. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a modified mellotron musical instrument.

How To: Modify a voice transformer into a music effects pedal

A "voice changer" can be rewired so that you can play a pre-amped instrument through it like an effects pedal. It makes some relatively freakish sounds and is much more interesting this way. You can still use a microphone to talk through it but now you can rock out through it as well. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to modify a voice transformer into an effects pedal for musical instruments.

How To: Build a microphone to electrify and amplify anything

This instructional video shows how to make a cheap contact microphone. These mikes pick up subtle sounds, and are so cheap that if they get smashed in a musical melee, it's no big deal. This video demonstrates the amplification of a dryer, a teapot, and a stockpot with water in it. You will need a buzzer, a jack, an amplifier, and tape. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to build a mike that will electrify and amplify anything. Drone on!

How To: Hack a dead laptop battery

Is your laptop not holding a charge anymore? Don't buy a new one, hack the old one! Laptop batteries can cost upwards of a hundred dollars, but with new lithium batteries and some soldering tools, the new one works just as well. Watch this video computer circuitry tutorial and learn how to hack a dead laptop battery.

How To: Solder instrument cables

Learn how to solder up some great, rugged instrument cables in just a few minutes! Patch cables and instrument cables don't need to cost a fortune. Make you own with cable and whatever plug-in head you want. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to solder instrument cables.

How To: Build a simple contact microphone for $2

Looking to go electric on the cheap? In this video tutorial, you'll learn how to make a contact microphone out of a Piezo Transducer, available for $2 from Radioshack (part #273073A). You'll also need some sort of audio connector, which can either be salvaged from old electronics or bought from Radioshack as well. This video also covers how to make shock mount for the mic out of scrap styrofoam. Amplify most anything with this how-to.

How To: Build your own computer interface

This video tutorial will show you how to take an old computer keyboard and use its circuitry as a physical computing input device. Once you have this device, you can then use it to interface with programs that you write using software such as pure data processing, MAX/MSP, and Ableton Live to name a few. What you are doing is replacing the switches within your keyboards with others for input devices. Make sure the interface is plugged in when you are testing but it's probably a good idea to u...

How To: Convert a Zoom H2 into a 4 track field recorder

Convert a Zoom h2 into a 4 track field recorder which cane record from 4 channels on a computer audio interface. You will need four 10 Kohm resistors, four 100 ohm resistors, two double pole switches, four RCA chassis parts, some wire, small screwdrivers, a wire cutter, a soldering iron, gaffa tape, and a drilling machine with a 6mm metal drill. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to modify a Zoom H2 into a 4 track field recorder.

How To: Make a cheap, bright police grade flashlight

Make a $100 super bright cop flashlight for less than $10, as shown in the steps of this how-to video. This flashlight is brighter than a Surefire and is so easy to do. You will need a compact flashlight, a Krypton flashlight lamp, a file or drill bit, and 3 volt batteries. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to modify a cheap plastic flashlight into giving off a stronger, brighter light.

How To: Hook up an iPod to a laser

Combine your iPod and a laser to send your music on the beam. Easy project that anyone can do, with the help of a little soldering. You will need your iPod, a solar cell, a laser, and a soldering tool. Watch this video circuitry tutorial and learn how to hook up an iPod to a laser for a laser-wired music experience.

How To: Build a laser effects light show

A laser light show is possible to replicate with the diffraction grating effect. Different laser effects can be created using a variety of materials: small motors and diffraction grating pieces, and mirrors. It's possible to create searchlights, crystal balls, spring patterns, a Galvanometer effect, and a spider web. Watch this video circuitry tutorial series and learn how to replicate professional laser show techniques for recreational use at home, or as an accompaniment to music or any pseu...

How To: Use the Samsung F480 Tocco mobile phone

The Samsung Tocco, also known as F480 is the first in a series of capacitive touchscreen phones hitting the market this year. The Tocco features a new and unique TOUCHWIZ UI replacing the Croix UI. The 5-megapixel camera featuring auto focus and a CMOS video lens; are normally only found in high-end or prosumer DSLR cameras. So it’s an amazing feature to have on a phone, especially when the Tocco only measures 11.6 mm thick by 98.4 mm tall and 55 mm wide. In addition to CMOS, the F480 also fe...

How To: Use the LG Secret mobile phone

Check out this quick video tutorial on how to use the LG Secret mobile phone. The LG Secret Black Label Series cell phone is one of the hottest on the market today, and if you don't know how to use it, you're one in a million. Check out all of the cool features of the Secret and find out what's so cool about it.

How To: Setup your LG KF700 Virgo mobile phone

The LG KF700 Virgo is designed to maximize convenience, enjoyment and productivity, LG’s advanced UI brings new meaning to the word convenience. The KF700 is the only place to get hands-on experience with the magic of its touch as you control your mobile life with simple gestures.

How To: Use Opera Mini on a LG KU990 Viewty cell phone

With the LG KU990 Viewty, you can take and view a crystal clear photo. Packed with high-quality camera features, this camera phone enables you to capture a high-definition image using a 5 MP camera lens certified by Schneider-Kreuznach and edit your photo on a large, clear, 3-inch display just like a professional photographer.

How To: Use Muvee Studio on a LG KU990 Viewty cell phone

With the LG KU990 Viewty, you can take and view a crystal clear photo. Packed with high-quality camera features, this camera phone enables you to capture a high-definition image using a 5 MP camera lens certified by Schneider-Kreuznach and edit your photo on a large, clear, 3-inch display just like a professional photographer.

How To: Multi-task on a LG KU990 Viewty cell phone

With the LG KU990 Viewty, you can take and view a crystal clear photo. Packed with high-quality camera features, this camera phone enables you to capture a high-definition image using a 5 MP camera lens certified by Schneider-Kreuznach and edit your photo on a large, clear, 3-inch display just like a professional photographer.

How To: Use the camera on a LG KU990 Viewty cell phone

With the LG KU990 Viewty, you can take and view a crystal clear photo. Packed with high-quality camera features, this camera phone enables you to capture a high-definition image using a 5 MP camera lens certified by Schneider-Kreuznach and edit your photo on a large, clear, 3-inch display just like a professional photographer.

How To: Scroll the menu on a LG KU990 Viewty cell phone

With the LG KU990 Viewty, you can take and view a crystal clear photo. Packed with high-quality camera features, this camera phone enables you to capture a high-definition image using a 5 MP camera lens certified by Schneider-Kreuznach and edit your photo on a large, clear, 3-inch display just like a professional photographer.

How To: Turn your Samsung Instinct cell phone on and off

If you're having a little trouble operating your newly purchased Samsung Instinct cell phone, let Sprint help you out. This Sprint video mobile phone tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully familiarize yourself with the Instinct cell phone by Samsung. This instructional tour will help you learn how to turn your phone on and off, use the touchscreen, use the powerlock key, use the three buttons, shoot video and take pictures, use the speech to action function, use the Micro SD...

How To: Use the basic Samsung Instinct cell phone functions

If you're having a little trouble operating your newly purchased Samsung Instinct cell phone, let Sprint help you out. This Sprint video mobile phone tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully familiarize yourself with the Instinct cell phone by Samsung. This instructional tour will help you learn how to use the basic functions, like touching the screen, touching the buttons, making a call, finding contacts, enter numbers, check your email, text message, video message, search yo...

How To: Operate the Motorola Nextel i1000plus mobile phone

If you're having a little trouble operating your newly purchased Motorola Nextel i1000plus cell phone, let Sprint help you out. This Sprint interactive mobile phone tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully familiarize yourself with the i1000plus cell phone by Motorola. This instructional tour will help you learn how to use Nextel Direct Connect - Digital Walkie-Talkie, Nextel Online - Wireless Web, Mobile Office Email, Nextel Mobile Text Messaging, 100-Number Phone List Direct...

How To: Operate the Motorola Nextel i205 mobile phone

If you're having a little trouble operating your newly purchased Motorola Nextel i205 cell phone, let Sprint help you out. This Sprint interactive mobile phone tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully familiarize yourself with the i205 cell phone by Motorola. This instructional tour will help you learn how to use Nextel Direct Connect, Mobile Text Messaging, Sprint Nextel Online, Mobile Office Email, 4-Way Navigation Key, Advanced Contacts, GPS Enabled, Assignable Ring Tones, ...

How To: Operate the Motorola Nextel i305 mobile phone

If you're having a little trouble operating your newly purchased Motorola Nextel i305 cell phone, let Sprint help you out. This Sprint interactive mobile phone tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully familiarize yourself with the i305 cell phone by Motorola. This instructional tour will help you learn how to use Nextel Direct Connect, Mobile Text Messaging, Sprint Nextel Online, Mobile Office Email, 4-Way Navigation Key, Advanced Contacts, GPS Enabled, Assignable Ring Tones, ...

How To: Operate the Motorola Nextel i315 mobile phone

If you're having a little trouble operating your newly purchased Motorola Nextel i315 cell phone, let Sprint help you out. This Sprint interactive mobile phone tutorial takes you through every step necessary to fully familiarize yourself with the i315 cell phone by Motorola. This instructional tour will help you learn how to use Nextel Direct Connect, Mobile Text Messaging, Sprint Nextel Online, Mobile Office Email, Direct Talk, 4-Way Navigation Key, Advanced Contacts, GPS Enabled (Non-Java),...

How To: Use the LG C200 cell phone

Sometimes the hardest step to operating a new mobile phone is just turning it on. This video guide to the LG C200 shows the basic getting started type functions, from turning it on and off, to charging, taking photos, and making phone calls. Watch this video cell phone tutorial and learn how to use the LG C200.