[sdiy] Learning Electronics Now

[DWa2898572 at aol.com]

Hey all., I'm 52 and studying for my BSEE (this is the 14th time I've 
attended College, Life, work, Music and ADHD intruded in the past!) I have a Math 
disability, and absolutely hate ALL the related math courses, yet I'm finding 
that I'm beginning to understand this subject, which had eluded me for so long!
  Since 1982 I've been creating/designing/building/repairing Music-related 
Analog devices, got into it because I could find an Envelope Pedal that worked 
well with my Saxes and Flutes, and I'd purchased an EMS VCS-3 in 1979 that I 
couldn't afford to take to a repairman! I'd found and bought both Barry Klein's 
and Delton Horn's books on construction, and just kept at it! The Queens 
Central Library (I'm a born/raised NYC resident) was a treasure trove of textbooks, 
magazines and related info, which helped me pass the courses I was taking at 
the local Community College enough to help me get an AAS in Electronics 
Technology in 1987. The actual teaching was horrible, I just couldn't get it through 
to the Math instructors that I had a disability, and suffered their ridicule 
and derision when I asked for extra help. I'm doing the BSEE via home study, 
and find it so much less stressful that I'm enjoying the Maths, which caused 
many tears and much self-doubt in the past!
   The main thing was I was SO INTERESTED in Electronic Music that I kept at 
it... and I'll add that publications like RADIO ELECTRONICS were a great help, 
they always had ongoing columns targeted at beginners, and magazines like 
ELECTRONIC MUSICIAN, SYNAPSE (which the lovely Cynthia Webster has been posting 
on her site for the past few months) and KEYBOARD were also indispensable 
helps, at least until MIDI Technology had almost eliminated Analog from the market 
(in 1986 I was able to purchase an ARP 2600 for $200 because the owner was 
dying to "go MIDI")
   In 1980 I started ALIEN PLANETSCAPES, a band whose main purpose was to 
bring together Progressive Rock, Free Improvisation and Electronic Music; In the 
25 years that've passed we've managed to get decent recognition 
internationally, only because we kept at doing the music w/o industry support, and the 
interest in EM allowed us to absorb all that has happened in EM, including 
understanding the theory of the technology!
   I really feel that our society has a dynamic of demanding results, but not 
emphasizing that results are achieved via hard work, maintaining an interest 
in the subject, and much trial & error! We want stuff, & we can't delay 
gratification (I recently saw people doing "Air Guitar" on TV, it was ridiculous 
because I'd bet NONE of them would be motivated enough to put in the years of 
playing it takes to play Guitar Solos competently, or do the musical study 
involved! 
   I'm retired after 15 years as a Soundman for many Well-known Rock/Rap/R & 
B/Reggae acts, and will concentrate upon graduation on repairing "vintage" 
Analog gear, and trying to start a company like WIARD (hats off to Grant 
Richter...he is a great musician as well as designer check his work with Milwaukee 
SPACEROCK band F/i), creating interesting instruments regardless of competing 
with larger instrument manufacturers, rather than work in the corporate sector!
    But hey, I'm only suggesting that  this has worked for me...but I do 
think that if we can introduce Electronics to young people (our children, kids in 
the neighborhood, our students etc), a few might just find building circuits 
superior to play with mind-numbing Gameboys, inane television or 
violent/ridiculous Computer games
    Thanks to all on the list for the help, advice, schematics and 
interesting topics, and for allowing me to put my 2 cents in!
                                                                              
   Doug
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://synth-diy.org/pipermail/synth-diy/attachments/20050719/84050df1/attachment.htm>