[sdiy] Intoduction & Questions

[Gregg]

Hello all,

I'm Gregg, originally from the UK, but currently residing in Japan. I've 
been on and off this list a few times in the last couple of years, but 
I'm afraid I'm a bit of a lurker!

I'm pretty much a newbie as far as Synth DIY and electronics in general 
are concerned. Previously I have successfully built the "Passive Ring 
Mod" circuit on Kevin Lightner's SynthFool site:

http://www.synthfool.com/ringmod.html

Here's a link to pic of mine:

http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Images/PassiveRingMod.jpg

Here are some links to .mp3 files so you can hear for yourself how it 
sounds:

http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Sines.mp3

http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/Drums.mp3

http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Musick/DalekVoices.mp3

It's very dirty sounding (in a good way I think), and needs LOADS of 
gain on the output, but I love it ;) I will probably mount it behind a 
frac rack panel when I get around to it, so it can interface better with 
my Blacet/Wiard modular.

I have also unsuccesfully built a Maplins effect project, which list 
member Julian has troubleshot for me (cheers Julian, are you still 
here?), along with modding my TR-606.

Now on to my questions:

1) I am pretty much a total beginner, and as such have thought about 
purchasing one of those 100/300/500 in one kits. Recently on AH this 
"Ramsey Electronics PL300 Complete 300 In 1 Electronic Lab" was briefly 
discussed:

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=PL300

It seems very cheap for what it appears to do. Would this be a good 
starting point (it runs off battereies and they will ship it to Japan), 
or should i save the cash for the much more expensive PL 500?

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=PL500

Or are there even better kits out there?

2) Off topic, sorry. In the UK all power outlets are 3 prong, and so 
equipment which needs to be grounded makes use of the earth/ground 
prong. When I came to Japan I realised nearly everything was 2 prong, I 
guess like in the US. Equipment which needs to be grounded has a wire 
coming off the plug, to be attached to special 2 prong plus Earth screw 
outlets, which are rarer (they are usually high up the wall for use with 
an air conditioner). I am the proud owner of a brand new all tube 
Traynor guitar amplifier, the YCV20WR, which came with the 2 prong plus 
earth wire lead. Alas, the lead does not stretch from where the amp has 
to be to the high up wall outlet, and so i have just been using a normal 
2 prong outlet. My question is firstly, is this dagerous? Secondly, I do 
seem to be suffereing from a lot of hum, might attaching the earth wire 
help cure this?  I am hoping to be able to buy an extension cable ASAP.

Anyway sorry for the long ramble and multiple topics, and thanks in 
adavance for any advice!

Best Wishes,

Gregg.

http://www.hermetech.net