[sdiy] A book about analogue synthesizer circuits?

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Thomas Kahn <thomas at roundhouse.se>
Subject: [sdiy] A book about analogue synthesizer circuits?
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2003 23:06:44 +0200

Hej Thomas,

> I have searched amazon.com for a book that covers analogue circuitry,
> preferably biased towards analogue synthesizer circuit designs and with a
> nice mix of DIY examples and basic theory. So far I haven't found anything
> that I feel is right on the money.
> 
> As a beginner it's easy to get confused and I don't really know what I'm
> looking for? I have Stan Gibilisco's "Electricity and Electronics" and
> eventhough it's interesting, its focus is too wide. I'm not interested in
> circuits that don't make a sounds. :-) Also there are too few hands-on
> examples and too much math.
> 
> The book I'm looking for has an introduction that presents the theory with
> some nice tips and tricks and after that there are circuit diagrams and
> card layouts that presents a project that covers the theory I have just
> read.
> 
> Is there such a book?

AFAIK there is nothing _current_ (fairly up to date with designs in use today).
There are several books which more or less tries to approach the subject.
The Formant stuff also falls in that range. However, of the few that I have
looked at I am not all that impressed. The DIY community now have much better
designs around, but the pedagogic material to go with it is lacking.

BTW. I can recommend you to look in at my pages where I have a webpage
dedicated to Synth books of various kinds (and a few others which gives good
electronic hints).

However, certain unnamed persons keep indicate that I might be one of those
that could write such a book. Maybe my love for formulas would scare some, but
they are there to show that most of it is really just plain algebra all over
and few actual tricks. Well anyway... I have had some requests from good
DIY friends...

> Any reading that you think I would appreciate is welcome. Remember that
> apart from many others on this list I have no academic
> technological/mathematical background. I have studied languages,
> communication and some computer science. My knowledge in electronics is so
> far limited to "monkey-see-monkey-do" type of projects, but I have a
> passion to learn more and my goal is to one day be able to come up with
> designs of my own. (Just ask Magnus Danielsson who is constantly  pestered
> with my questions whenever he's around. ;-)

... and it's my pleasure to answer such questions. The teacher in me loves to
teach people things. If I actually succeeds is another thing :->

Cheers,
Magnus