Home Artists Posts Import Register

Content

Hey All Patrons! 

This was a rough year for many of us, but on the upside the Lab got a new home with your help and generosity, and I'm back to doing the kind of content that I know you've all come to enjoy and expect from me, but I clearly need to do more.  As I have gotten back into the swing of the usual Lab stuff this fall the overall support for the channel has steadily receded,  so I have to find out what I can do to bring support back to the channel and provide the kind of content that Patrons really want.  My goal for 2020 is to get the Lab 100% funded and to be able to do the kinds of projects that will make for enjoyable videos throughout the year.  My big project of this past October was the 2001 A Space Odyssey Panel Build, but taking the whole month for that one build cost me a lot of patrons and so I likely cannot do anything like that ever again.  But I need your feedback and your input as to what I can do better to make this channel worthy of your continued support.

There is so much content out there - and so many channels doing so many things - and so I want you all to know just how much I appreciate all that you do for me and this channel.  I am very fortunate to be able to do this full time and I want to provide the best experience for all of you that I possibly can. Oh - and I've got some good stuff coming up in the next few weeks for the Holidays!  Thanks everyone!  

Comments

Richard Thompson

Did the sale of the property go through? Do you think you'll have to move next year again?

Anonymous

Blessings of the Season to you.

Anonymous

Make some diy guitar pedal videos with pcb designs to sell, etc.

frantone

My decades in manufacturing have taught me that there is no profit in making things to sell due to the overwhelming upfront cost in materials and labor, but it is 4 full time jobs.

frantone

I am holding back the sale by sticking to my lease, at lease for the time being.

Anonymous

Glad you are settling once again. I would like to learn more about electronics.

David Peaker

For me just keep on doing what you want and I'll be here for the foreseeable future.

Anonymous

I love the variety of your videos, but I'm a big fan overall. I do love the mailbag type videos when you share a lot of your experiences. Also, I tend to favor videos that are 20 minutes or less. Any and all vintage electronics are great.

Fred Patton

As you say, it was a tough year for a lot of folks. (Me too.) But I've been loving your latest content - the Star Trek panel hack, the overview of the FranCaster, the card amp. (Not to mention the song track - so great to see and hear that side of your many talents!) To me, it feels like you're back in the swing of things, and I say please keep it up! :-)

Anonymous

What makes Franlab so unique is your unique opinions and values. How you freehand a circuit soldered midair is fun for those of us with circuit experience, and highly educational and fun for those that have little to no experience. Redundancy is OK and needed because new viewers want to see that "New" dangling from a video. Simplfy editing, shoot brief videos that are easier and quicker for you to edit and post - which you have been doing lately. Through the eyes of Fran what can be done with a 2N3904 and a 2N3906 and a TIP42 is not going to be like anybody else. Smoke some parts and solder. What is phantom Voltage? on a mic? A guitar pickup works how? Can you embed objects in a 3D print? Can you 3D print a silkscreen? Show how you experiment, show the inventive process you go through. Insure the Space Odyssey panel is visible in some content. Open the mail and see what came in. Just a few thoughts, wanting you to feel encouraged, supported and full of life.

Anonymous

I honestly don't get the mentality of fickle patrons. I choose to support only after watching enough content to really connect with them. Helping out the people I support definitely gives me a greater sense of wellbeing. If there's a couple videos I don't like (there are no Franlab videos I don't like) I'd still be able to see the person behind the content. I'm not supporting videos I'm supporting you Fran. Best of luck for the new year!

Anonymous

Inventor Purdue has some great suggestions but follow your heart and you will never go wrong.

frantone

Phantom power is just DC on the audio lines and was originally used to power the low voltage vacuum tube preamplifiers that were built into capsule microphones way back but now it is used mainly for powering FET preamp mics. A guitar pickup just creates a magnetic field with a magnet and detects disturbances in that field with a coil. You can't 3D print a silk screen. But hey.

Adric Menning

Try more shorter videos, fun hacks you have learned.

Anonymous

I love your channel as it is, but maybe build instruction videos for simple electronics. Like the fuzz circuit.

Anonymous

I don't mind what you do, everything you do is good and even the stuff that I have no interest in. I like the work that goes into the fabrication, carpentry, machining and you can play music properly.

Anonymous

Just sharing my opinions. Likely, I'm your patron regardless of content, since your personality is what I come for. Looking for interesting content from other creators that you can cooperate with (I'm thinking of the old school photography guy) seems like it could be fruitful and interesting. You could become the impresario of patreon creations! Also, I like the little design changes to existing stuff, putting an LED here where the original designer left it off, or a handy switch there. Because I'm always doing updates like that around my house. (I just added a float valve and water supply to my stand-alone humidifier. Fun!) How about an update on the premises trouble. I'm worried.

BobC

You can check the numbers to see if this makes any sense, but I believe your greatest strength is the many crafts/disciplines you can utilize within a project. Foam-board and switch logic on the console, electronics and paper-cutting on the Fuzzmas card. And the inspiration and creativity that results when these domains cross-fertilize each other, pushing a project in interesting directions. I'd call you a "Multi-Maker" (or something - I'm not good at branding). I'd like to see top-level "Tell the Story" videos mixed with "Behind the Scenes" deep dives into analysis/theory/process. And Frants. Mandatory. At least quarterly. Even when I may disagree with you, hearing your clearly-shared perspective makes my world deeper and richer. Your channel is uniquely and fully human while being totally STEAM, and that's what I support.

Anonymous

I am very pleased with what you have been doing. I like the variety.

BobC

Let me break that down a bit. I like how your projects can show targeted uses of a craft (e.g., dead-bug electronics, cut-n-crease paper folds, etc.) without going exhaustively in-depth into any of them, just illustrating their use to meet a specific need. While you may want to make your own in-depth videos on a narrow topic, it may be more beneficial to link other's videos than repeat their work, such as EEVBlog Dave for o'scope technique and circuit theory, or Makers Muse Angus for a 3D printer technique. Let others do the heavy lifting while you provide the links then show their practical application in your projects. Except when no such in-depth content exists, or perhaps not in a useful form, in which case you may want to make your own in-depth video that you and others can reference. For example, even though I doubt I'll do any woodwork myself, your woodworking lessons for Project Egress left me hungry for more, especially how, when and why you transitioned between tools and techniques to accomplish specific goals.

Holger Barske

Problem #1: Guys who for some reason aren't Patrons anymore won't be able to comment here ;-).

Anonymous

Fran, you just need to get a regular pattern of content. Maybe a fun Frant video on Fridays. A short fun video show anything that's going on in the lab or in Philly, etc. And then a monthly project video that's longer and in depth. Also, if you make your videos at least 10 minutes long then you can place commercials in the video. Of course, I'd prefer to not have commercials but you need the cash flow. Even the meager amount YouTube gives you. Two commercial breaks in a 10 minute video that appeals mostly to U.S., Canada, and UK. viewers can net you some decent coin from YouTube.

frantone

I pretty much already do that, to the extent that I hack anything. But the back catalog of videos contains just about everything!

frantone

I'm just not qualified for tutorials. There are hundreds of degreed electrical engineers on Youtube and dozens of big electronics channels that specialize in instruction, and I'd rather not have all the comments that I am just completely wrong about all that, and the right way to do that is, and 'Actually'....

frantone

The benefit of having Patreon is that my channel does not have those ridiculous pop-up ads in the middle of the videos. I can't imagine that I'd want to continue doing this if I had no choice but to MONETIZE TO THE EXTREEEEME!

Anonymous

Hi Fran, Im not sure you can please everyone. Patreons model will always mean people will come and go, times are tough for everyone out there.. they may want to help but find long term support unsustainable. As you have pointed out in the past your Patreon is relatively successful compared to your channel size, so I think you are doing a good job there, although it obviously isn't enough to meet your goals. I think I found your channel through the Apollo hardware you sent to Dave Jones, but what made me stay was your love. of obsolete technology, especially the videos on obsolete display technology. Im a sucker for old tech, which is why I support you, techmoan and technology connections as my favourite youtubers. Plus I enjoy the personality of those youtubers, which I think is a big thing with Patreon . As an electrical engineer and guitarist who has spent countless hours recreating rangemasters,fuzz faces , Octavias etc. from vintage parts , I have really enjoyed you recent music tech videos and would love to see more. I would also like to hear more about your time at frantone and EH and see inside some of those cool prototypes you have. Seeing the popularity of Dan and Micks pedal show and other effects centric channels , it could help you reach a new audience. More space stuff would also be cool.

Anonymous

I'm here for in depth explanations and demonstrations of old or interesting technology.

Anonymous

I am only 1 person and I am sure others like your channel for different reasons. The common factor is we all love you as person. So just keep being you and I'm sure success will follow. You have a good conversion from subscribers to Patreon so as your channel grows I'm sure you will find the funding you need. Love you Fran, Hang in there..

Anonymous

I enjoy everything on your channel but I REALLY sit up when you do Frantone / Pedal related videos. You’re a legend in that field and I’ll take any opportunity I get to hang on your every wise word :)

Anonymous

Also a regular “ask Fran” type segment might be fun for us!

Anonymous

Im an electronics engineer ,and just to watch everything you do to be honest ,nothing specifc ,i enjoy seeing how you work and take those tips and use them here if needed at home ..in uk , youre ninspiring me to get a 3d printer if only i could afford one haha

Bill Karkula

Love the variety of videos especially the electronic projects and when you pull some interesting electronic item from the storage room.

Robert Sanges

I support and watch creators similar to you because I receive some satisfaction from watching you (and them) go through the creative process. If everyone were me (I understand they are not) we would be happy to see you doing projects that you enjoy. Maybe that's weird. I feel that if you are forced to create content just to satisfy the YouTube algorithm it will be less enjoyable for me to watch. That's kind of a catch 22, but that's why I support creators on Patreon. I don't want them to need the YouTube income.

Anonymous

I’d love to see you making more music and making more electronics that make music. Maybe a musical guest that can jam with you?

Anonymous

I loved the guitar amp in a Christmas card video, it was a great stocking stuffer! :D Seriously though, I've often found when doing a big project, it's refreshing to spend a day or two working on something else, and that sort of mini project would be perfect to tide the subscribers over if your big one's taking too long.

Anonymous

As a project designer myself, I work on the biggest build and continue on the smaller ones while I am waiting for parts to arrive, therefor nothing goes to waste, like time itself. As one of your previous patrons put it, I think that a short clip of what you have been doing throughout the week would be great and entertaining, no matter how silly it may seem to you. It shows that you are passionate in keeping your channel alive. "It can be anything, like how you flopped baking a cake to ranting about the climate we live in..." Or a case of mishap that I done the other month and picked up a soldering Iron that was still plugged in. I think that one was a burner, as it left a bad scare on my hand for weeks. I won't be doing that again, its worse than a 240-Volt AC electric shock as it leaves a lasting reminder. Oh what fun! So please don't try this on set, being that the air may turn blue, but at the same time could help bring back those people you lost in the past... As you say, it's no good being a true-pat unless you view and click the (like) button?

Anonymous

My favorite videos are the electronics projects but I watch most of your other videos too.

MVVblog

For the patreon side, is not a bad idea to shoot some kind of "What's Up" video at the end of the week, where you tell us what's goin'on in the lab, or in your life if you prefer. For the Youtube side, just think on what you really want to do to have fun, and do it! Your audience will appreciate.

Anonymous

Hi Fran, for what its worth I wouldn't change anything about your channel (except maybe getting millions of subs!) as I really enjoy your content. However I understand the need to appeal to people other than me to be able to make Franlab 100% self-sufficient. I don't know if you could create some more 'pop' shorter videos alongside the regular technical ones that will appeal to the more casual viewers. I enjoyed the musical aspect of the later videos, maybe that could be an avenue to hook in those that are more interested in music tech than electronics?

Anonymous

Hi Fran, I enjoy your content as it is, and sorry that you have lost some patreon subscriptions recently, are you able to contact them to find out why? Maybe if you did more series of things, like building a heathkit over several short videos, or restoration of something electronic and vintage, so perhaps having something that has a bit of a "cliff hanger" from video to video might keep people engaged. I also think people are expecting a lot more these days of YouTube, a lot of channels have very high production values (even if just one person), i.e. 4K video, nicely lit studios (or box rooms or just a green-screened background), good graphics etc and produce a lesser amount of videos of much higher quality. As YouTube is replacing TV for many people now, the expectation when clicking on a YouTube thumbnail is to see a TV like production. What about having a consistent intro and opening credits, again to give a more TV type experience and create more of a FranLab brand? The end credit music moved to the front, perhaps with a bit more in the way of vocals and some nice clips of past projects in a montage could work really well. See ‘The 8-bit guy’, ‘Curiosity incorporated’ and ‘Techmoan’ amongst many others for intro’s that kind of get you in the mood and create a feeling of a real TV show. I know it shouldn’t be all about the branding and staging, and that it is the content that is important, but these days I think people are just expecting so much more they kind of skip over YouTube content unless it feels like a real production. Maybe upping to 4K 60fps would also help, it makes a huge difference when I’m watching something especially for close up shots of electronics and is pretty popular now on YouTube and accessible for creating content, plus it might get Google pushing your videos more with the higher resolution option available. Hope maybe some of those suggestions are a help.

Anonymous

I hate to keep harping on your experiences in the guitar pedal industry, but I find it really interesting. Especially because your pedals have such a unique sound. Without any empirical evidence, I think it's an area of interest (guitarists love gear right? And pedals especially?). That said, any thoughts about what inspired you to make certain pedals, or any insight on any particular part of your manufacturing process would be cool. The technical info is cool (although I don't want anyone stealing anything else) but just your thoughts on what made you do what you did at the time. The 90's was such a weird time musically, but pretty groundbreaking in a lot of different ways. Anyways, that's my 2 cents.

Anonymous

I was going to suggest shorter videos about music interspersed with your longer and longer to produce project build videos but you mentioned more recently that the music related videos were not getting many views so I'm not sure what to suggest. Also, fair warning that if you produced exactly what I wanted to see, your channel would be doomed since what I like is not what most people like.

Anonymous

Dear Fran! I don't know how was designed your videos many years ago but they were fun and/or thought-provoking. Please make videos that you enjoy making. But don't make yourself a money-making robot. That's just my opinion, who doesn't know what's going on in the background of the videos. Please take care of yourself. I wish you a Merry Christmas and find yourself again! :) Best regards Arnold

Anonymous

That said, I've watched your Brown University video and your U-Arts video and I totally get where you're at. I'm amazed that two of my favorite guitar gear people are in Philly - you and Chris Dipinto! Keep doing what you're doing,

Anonymous

Hi Fran, after reading your post I’ve been asking myself what makes your channel so endearing to me and what exactly keeps me coming back. My favorite videos are all different from each other. I’ve rewatched some of them and the one common denominator is your enthusiasm and joy. I love tinkering, electronics and old tech and all that but you could host a cooking channel and id probably watch. :) I’m kidding just a bit, but honestly do projects that excite you and bring us along. You seam genuine and I enjoy watching you work, hearing your thoughts and discovering cool stuff. -Caleb