Maker Interview: Dr. Bleep

Bleep Labs likes to say that they design and manufacture noisy objects. Created by Austinite John-Michael Reed, Dr. Bleep himself, the original one of these cute and noisy objects is known as a Thingamagoop. This engaging little creature is a synth in a robot-like body that allows you to control his sounds and reactions by using a number of input knobs. Dr. Bleep and the Bleep Labs crew will be on hand at this weekend's Maker Faire to share the excitement and joy of all of their creations. Dr. Bleep was kind enough to share some of his time to allow us an interview while preparing for their return visit to this year's Maker Faire.

Austinist: Tell us a little bit about your project
Dr. Bleep: I started Bleep Labs about three years ago as a hobby business after building noisemakers for friends. Now myself and a few friends produce handmade, analog synthesizers in our East Austin workshop.

Austinist: Tell us about your experience with creating your project and how it came about.
Dr. Bleep: I started building simple circuits and doing circuit bending in 2000 or so. After making some weird instruments and showing them i galleries, I decide to try and produce something I could make more than one of from readily available, off the shelf parts. The original idea for the Thingamagoop was to make a simple analog synth that got it's sound from human interaction.

Austinist: What are you looking forward to most at Maker Faire?
Dr. Bleep: It's always so hard to stay at my table at Faires. I just want to wander around!

Austinist: How do you feel about Maker Faire choosing to return to Austin and why do you feel that Maker Faire is such a good fit for Austin?
Dr. Bleep: It's a great place for it. We're not as big as the bay area but we've got a lot of people making things for themselves.