PAIA & kits - ametuer

[Leon Rothenberg]

matt wilson wrote:
> 
> At 06:40 AM 11/4/98 -0800, you wrote:
> 
> i'd recommend a simple function generator kit, like the one available
> from datak (.com, i think...) or blacet's micro lfo. these are both
> small pcbs, with no more that 15 components, and will run off 9 volt
> batteries, and will give you easy indications whether you built them
> correctly. no midi to muck with, just very simple analog boards. the
> fg is about $8 and john's kit is about $12. the fatman will run upwards
> of $75 or so. you can build and operate the fg in about 30 minutes
> and have it up and making tones. add a simple jack and resistor and you've
> got a control voltage input. build the lfo, feed it into the cv input
> and you're modulating your first diy modular synth. very satisfying,
> i'd think....
> 

Greetings - allow me to graduate from lurking and ask a question.

I am currently working on a FatMan which I just bought (about $150,
incidentally, and the front panel is separate) and it is the first
project of this magnitude that I have attempted.  The instructions are
very good, they even seem to predict concerns that will come up and
address them, rather than making you figure it out.  It seems to require
not much more than some soldering dexterity, and the DAC explanations
are (fairly) clear with a little foreknowledge.

My question is this:  b/c the soldering points are so close, I wonder if
anyone can describe to me what a good solder joint looks like.  This is
a lot more precise than wiring racks or making cables, and I just would
like to know if my joints are as clean as they should be.  Should the
solder point be a round bead?  Should the lead extend past the end of
the solder joint?  How much lead in general is good to have sticking out
the back of the PCB?  What are some common pitfalls?  Except where
noted, I am assuming that all the components should be basically flush
against the board.

I am not that far along yet, so any advice is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
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-- Z037 | leon rothenberg
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