To socket or not to socket?

[jhaible]

Sockets are indispensable when you're experimenting - try different opamps,
check if a chip is blown or not, all that stuff.
Cheap sockets can be a source of problems indeed. So either go for good
sockets (expensive - sometimes more expensive than the opamp inside the
socket), or use cheap sockets and solder the IC into the socket before you
take your project on the road.

JH.


----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Moncur <mgm at starlingtech.com>
To: DIY <synth-diy at mailhost.bpa.nl>
Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2000 12:21 AM
Subject: To socket or not to socket?


> Hello, I've been lurking on this list for a couple of weeks and am just
> getting into DIY synths. My main experience is at the complete opposite
end
> of the spectrum (digital synths and software synthesis) so I'm interested
> in going back to my roots, as it were.
>
> I do have experience designing, soldering and assembling circuits, but not
> with synths specifically, so I'll undoubtedly have lots of newbie
> questions. Here's one now.
>
> I just received the PAiA FatMan kit, which should be a good starting
point,
> and am starting on it now. One thing that caught me off guard was this
> statement in the instructions:
>
>     "Sockets are notorious for being the weak links in the chain of
> connections between electronic components. We use them only in places
where
> their advantages outweigh their lack of reliability."
>
> This has generally been the opposite of my philosophy, but perhaps things
> are different with synths. I'm tempted to add sockets for those ICs that
> don't come with them. Would this adversely affect the circuit much? Has
> anyone done this?
>
> I'm also planning a few homebrew synths, mostly based on Tom G's excellent
> plans. Should I plan on avoiding sockets for the ICs in these too?
>
> Thanks for the info and for the making this one of the most useful lists
> I've ever subscribed to.
>
>
> --
> michael moncur   mgm at starlingtech.com   http://www.starlingtech.com/
> "I don't have any solution, but I certainly admire the problem."
>                  -- Ashleigh Brilliant
>
>
>