Designing with transistors - WAS RE: [sdiy] Ofsetting LFO output

[Michael Ruberto]

Transistors are very simple to use for switching apps. they also make it 
easier to interface circuits with different supply voltages.
>
>I've been in situations like this, where all I needed was a simple switch,
>offset, level shift, inversion, etc. I know there are many cases where a
>transistor or two would do the trick, but I don't know enough about 
>discrete
>(i.e., transistor) design, so I end up using an op amp. This is okay if I
>happen to have an extra op amp stage that's not being used, but that always
>isn't the case. I've also run into cases where all I needed was one analog
>switch (as opposed to the four that come in something like a 4066). Can
>anyone recommend sites for learning more about designing with transistors
>(hopefully with lots of example circuits)?
>
>

here are places to start reading.
http://webpages.ursinus.edu/lriley/ref/circuits/node4.html
(after learning these basic building blocks I'm sure alot of synth circuitry 
will make more sense.)

http://www.play-hookey.com/semiconductors/
(some light theory)

http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/trancirc.htm
(real basic - kinda like Navy electronics school)

http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/basics/transistors.htm
(references to good books and some nice schematics)

just some stuff to get you started, I hope that helps.

M.A. Ruberto