Jun 03 2026 : SMT for You and Me: MP3 player edition
Learn to surface mount solder by assembling a pocket-sized MP3 player! Work with the teeny-weeny electronic components of the future! Surface mount components! They’re hip, they’re tiny, and you’ve probably swallowed a couple accidentally by now. If you’re still using clunky, chunky through-hole components that you found in your grandparents’ butter cookie tin it’s time to get with the times and learn how to solder the teeny-weeny components of the future! (And frankly, they’re not making the old ones anymore.) This time around we’ll be assembling our own pocket-sized MP3 player, based on Raphael Abrams’ classic Daisy MP3 design. We’ll learn solder paste stenciling, reflow soldering, hand soldering, and rework and repair techniques– stuff you can actually use. Bring some wired headphones with you and you can walk out the door listening to jams on a player you built yourself! No prior soldering or electronics experience is required for this class. You can do it! To bring: Ideally, bring a microSD card (smaller capacity cards, less than 512GB, are preferred) and wired headphones, but if you don’t have either we’ll work something out. Your instructor: Adam Mayer is a longtime NYCR member who burnt his finger on a soldering iron when he was ten and has never forgiven it. He has done questionable things with PCBs and hot plates. (Don’t solder with hot plates.) There are 2 spots reserved for people who cannot access the class at the full price, so please make use of one of these $35 need-based tickets if that is your situation. Checkout Code: SMT-Access The timing of this class is geared towards full-time parents/caregivers with kids in school, freelancers, and folks who work nights and weekends. This course will be offered again in the future at an evening or weekend time. This is a masks optional workshop. 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 classes@nycresistor.com. More info and RSVP