SV: SV: [sdiy] A book about analogue synthesizer circuits?

[Scott Bernardi]

I agree that a "construction" article (that has full schematics for a module)
should ALWAYS include an analysis of the circuit. But I also believe there is
room for basic or intermediate tutorials on general subjects. I don't think it
is necessary to go through the entire theory of an exponential current
source/sink for every v/octave module if there is an existing "chapter" that
already covers that information. That is how a real "book" would work.
If you are familiar with Bernie Hutchin's Musical Engineer's Handbook, I think
that's a very good format.
I disagree that we should only include things that have not been talked about
elsewhere. Sure, there is a lot of stuff out on the net, and a wealth of
information in the Synth DIY archives. But how do you find it? How many times
have we answered the question on the Synth-DIY list "Hi, I'm a newbie. Where
do I find out about....  Can someone recommend a book on....".   I think the
greatest value a "book" could offer is a centralized place that to go to find
out stuff.
I think maybe we need to expand the idea of a synth-DIY book to be a synth-DIY
website, with FAQs, link lists, articles, etc. Someone would have to maintain
the html (perhaps several someones). I for one would be willing to do that,
and to be AN editor, but the not THE editor (if you understand the
difference).



Michael Zacherl wrote:

> Hej Thomas,
>
> Thomas Kahn wrote:
>
> > As I see it there are two major reasons for doing it this way:
> >
> > 1) I think it appeals to people that are into DIY electronics. First get
> > your hands dirty, listen and toy around with the thing you have just
> > built. This in turn will hopefully create a deeper curiosity for the
> > circuit and the theroy behind it and there you have the next step in the
> > book waiting to be read.
>
> I like the idea - since it also would attract
> people who prefer to build kits and also would
> give them a chance to further dig into it (as you
> say above).
> Maybe such people could be even more attracted
> with a reference to existing PCB designs and the
> possibility to obtain PCBs from the respective
> authors?
>
> But what would be the significant difference in
> detail to, let's say, a VCO article from Elektor?
>
> IMHO it's quite important to have some added value
>   in order not to get "yet another synth DIY book".
>
> For instance I'd find it also very intriguing to
> explain existing vintage designs with respect to
> why they sound as they sound.
> E.g. why not take a Ladder VCF and explain the
> difference between a diode ladder and one with
> transistors?
> Why prefer some people to clone certain classics
> (eg. Pauls PPG VCO) - what makes the sound so
> special. We have living examples among us :-)))
>
> Again, we can find many of such discussions in the
> SDIY archives.
>
> > Some
> > get a kick out of drawing schematics but get bored when it's time to
> > realize them, others jump head first into the soldering and don't care
> > much for the theory behind the circuit.
>
> Well, if you look at the folks here we got a lot
> of quite different personalities.
> And IMHO this would be a chance to get some nice
> synergy effects which is a chance to make this
> works even more attractive!
>
> cheers,
>     Michael.