[sdiy] questions from a beginner

[harrybissell]

Howdy BC...

bmc at email.arizona.edu wrote:

> hi, i'm new to all this so pardon me if i sound like a moron...

(no... but you do sound like a beginner ;^)

>
>  i'm just wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of some good
> (accurate) circuit designs. i have a library copy of barry klein's 'electronic
> music circuits' but i've read that there are flaws in some of the circuit
> designs. any other recomendations?

I haven't heard that there are mistakes in the Barry Klein book... I think
it was the Penfold book that had the errors iirc....

I'd suggest some kits for a beginner. A rich one would go with MOTM
(synthtech.com) and a poor one with PAiA  (paia.com).  There are many others...
Ken Stone makes some low cost PC boards. Electronics for Music (EFM-Synth)
makes some boards as well.. though they are not recommended for complete
beginners...

Tony Allgood (Oakley sound systems) in the UK is another good source.

sorry if I forgot to mention any players here....

> also, white price range should i be looking
> at for a reliable soddering iron?

You will get many answers. I'd suggest the Weller WC-100 (iirc) for about
$40 in most mail-order places. Others may steer you upscale. I use an
Ungar Imperial 45W iron... big chisel tip and no temperature control.  I believe
in lots of heat and short times. Been soldering for 35 years so I have tons of
experience.  If you haven't got a lot of time at soldering, the more expensive
irons are easier and less chance of damage...

> all of the books i have are a little out
> of date on the subject (mid-eighties). and, finally, where do you guys get
> your control panels,

I use scraps of Anodized Aluminum about .093" thick... salvage from some
old card racks.  When thats gone I'll use plain aluminum in 4" x 10" sheets from
the local hobbyshop.

> how do you mark them,

I use a Brother P-Touch... with black letters on silver tape. It matches real good

with the anodized aluminum... from a couple of feet you can't tell its a stick-on.

I don't do dial markings.

If I had money (or rather, was not cheap ;^) I'd consider Schaeffer-Apartbau in
Germany for engraved aluminum panels... or Markertech for laser marked aluminum
panels...

Check out Jorgen Bergfors (search 'Bergfortron') to see the totally amazing panels

he does using BRASS (the only one to use this material afaik...)

> and are they made out of aluminum?

Yes.  I sometimes use Steel but its a bitch to work with if you don't have
really extensive power tools.

(oh please don't consider wood or plastic ;^)

>
> that's it. thanks in advance!

you're welcome in retrospect ;^P

H^) harry

>
>
> -bc