[sdiy] Need Some Advice

[epeasant at telusplanet.net]

I couldn't agree with this more. Make sure that you get only the better quality
kits, from well established suppliers. And buy the ones that include ALL the
components. Expect to make mistakes - you learn the most from them. Slowly work
your way up from basic to complex kits, hopefully enjoying each step along the
way.

Many DIYers cut their teeth on kits, for me it was mostly Heathkit, with the
odd RS, Dynaco/Hafler, etc.

Take care,
Doug
______________________
The Electronic Peasant

www.electronicpeasant.com


>Build some kits. Start out with something simple like the PAiA FatMan. Get

>the confidence going. Modify the FatMan. There are tons of homebrew ideas on

>the web. Then move on to the ASM-1 circuit board. It's not a kit but well
>designed and parts are available. Then move on to the modular kits. The
>ASM-1 will integrate well with modular kits. Plan your desired packaging
>early; panel size, knobs, connectors, stationary or portable. (I like 8-3/4"

>by multiples of 1-3/4" and bananas.) Add modules of your own design to the

>modular kits and you will have a unique modular system to be proud of.
>
>Do it now. It is appears unlikely that electronic components required to do

>analog synthesizers will be available in twenty years. You will be old and

>cranky in twenty years. The eyes and hands don't cooperate as well as they

>used to.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Dr Strangelove <phdinfunk at hotmail.com>
>To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
>Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2001 3:53 PM
>Subject: [sdiy] Need Some Advice
>
>
>> Hey Everyone.
>>
>>     I need a bit of advice.  I have been trying to roll my own synthesizer

>> for a long time now.  I have dropped HUNDREDS of dollars (Test equipment,

>> parts, books) and HUNDREDS of hours of time (Reading, Soldering, Trouble

>> shooting, learning everything I can on the net... Literrally I've spent
>> almost all of my spare time for FIVE YEARS on this obsession), not to
>> mention an immesurable amount of mental energy into it with very little
>> success.  I have had success with small things, pre-amps, comparators,
>LFO.
>> I had a filter that I *Thought* was working but it didn't (Details
>> irrellevent to my inquiry).  I've just spent another week (its my summer

>> break from college) soldering away and trying to troubleshoot (oi - vey)

>> stuff when it doesn't work but I've just been wasting time.  I'm really
>> loosing hope here.  It's just not fun anymore.
>>     Should I try to build a circuit based on a LSIC like a CEM 3374 or an

>> SEM 2045 (I own both of those)?  I'm really thinking of just cashing in my

>> chips (throwing everything into the attic) and giving up (maybe come back

>to
>> it all in 10 years so that I can get really frustrated a second time, I
>> guess all you gents will still be on this list. :-)   ).  I don't WANT to

>do
>> this but I just don't think I'm learning anything anymore, I don't think

>I'm
>> getting any better at DIY.  I really Enjoy the actual soldering and
>putting
>> stuff together (I've even come to like drilling panels and ordering parts,

>> which were formerly the steps I hated doing!) I just can't get any of my

>> stuff to work.  Any advice?  Maybe just wait untill my midlife crisis and

>go
>> blow an insane amount of money on a modular "Like I wanted in my
>twenties".
>> ]:-)
>>
>>
>> Somebody outta start something like classes for people who want to build

>> their own synth.  Here in the ATL there are classes for people to learn to

>> build their own guitar....  I think as many people would want to build a

>> synth.  Even a video series or something.
>>
>>
>> Thanks for any help,
>> Jonathan Pratt
>>
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