Now playing: Watch this: Make your own microphone 0:53 In the following guide, I’m going to show you how to make and use a simple microphone that will allow you to hear everyday objects in new and interesting ways. If you love having fun with sound, this project is for you. Contact microphones, or piezo …

Now playing: Watch this: New directions in 3D printing 19:42 In a short amount of time, the options in consumer 3D printers have exploded. Makers now have a vast amount of choices when it comes to print size and print quality, but are still restricted to one medium: plastic. Anyone who has used a 3D printer will tell you how …

Now playing: Watch this: New ways to use your tech this holiday season 9:55 The holidays are more than just a time to unwrap new tech toys. They’re also a great time to make the most of the tech you already have. In this episode of The Fix, we’ll show you how to harness what you probably already own to …

Now playing: Watch this: Make your own mini boom box 4:00 In a time where unlimited access to an infinite catalog of instantly available music, I’ve never been more sentimental about my old mixtapes. There’s something about the act of creating a mixtape that’s gone missing from today’s music culture. More than the music, a mixtape contained and symbolized the …

Now playing: Watch this: Shoot time-lapse videos with your phone 3:35 Time-lapse photography — when done right — can reveal the beautiful, imperceptible slow movements of an otherwise mundane scene. By speeding up time, a sunset plunges into the horizon, and the slow crawl of cars in traffic take on a look of blood pumping through asphalt arteries. Capturing scenes …

Now playing: Watch this: Instant foreign menu translations 5:34 Vacations don’t excite me — eating excites me. Your city may have the most breathtaking vistas, and the most beautiful museums, but when all is said and done, my best traveling memories revolve around food. And nothing bums out my travel gluttony more than a menu I can’t decipher. Fortunately, whether …

Now playing: Watch this: Top tips for traveling with your smartphone 12:31 We all know that smartphones have become an indispensable travel tool. It’s your camera, your planner, your map, your diary, and your connection to friends and family back home. But there are some emerging new trends in travel apps that push your smartphone’s capabilities to the extreme. For …

Now playing: Watch this: Insider tips for better photos 3:37 Today’s smartphone cameras have become nearly as complex and feature-laden as the compact cameras they replaced. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, but here are four simple tips for better photos that will work with virtually any modern smartphone. High Dynamic Range (HDR) Most smartphones now have an option called HDR, …

Now playing: Watch this: How to easily mount your TV 3:50 When I moved into my new place, I left behind my ancient, embarrassingly small TV. I jumped up to a 47-inch HDTV, which is still modest by today’s standards, but big enough where I had good reason to worry about it toppling over — especially with a kid in …

Now playing: Watch this: The Fix: Optimize your smartphone 12:39 Welcome to the second episode of The Fix! This is CNET’s newest show, and each episode revolves around ways to make the most of the technology in your daily life. This episode will change how you use your smartphone. They’ve become an indispensable part of our lives, and when they …