[sdiy] new guy - how did you start

[Ryan Williams]

hi,

compared to most of the people posting here, I'm a quite a beginner myself. I started off building the Paia Fatman just like many other beginners.  Building the Fatman synth went very smoothly, It's not easy to go wrong when the instruction manual is so complete. I got into building my own synths after playing around a little with writting software VST instruments.  Before I started studying EE in school I thought that designing or even building and understanding some electronic device was beyond my capabilities. I'd say the biggest help getting started (besides this list and it's members websites) was school, or rather the books we use in school.  

Some books that are currently helping me understand electronics:

Practical Electronis for Inventors - Is real basic stuff about electronics. This book has easy introductions into transistor circuits although It doesn't 'show enough math to really learn how they work. Now, I moslty look at these next three books.

Fundamentals of Electric Circuits (alexander/sadiku) - This book was used in my first two courses in school: circuits 1, and linear systems.  I still look in this alot when I forget something. As far as text books go, I'd say this one is good. It teaches resistor/capacitor/inductor circuit analysis starting with DC circuits and finishing with laplace and fourier analysis for AC circuits (if you don't know what that is, it will teach you). There are no transistors in this book, for that I use the next two.

Art of Electronics  - depending on what you know, this my be a little more advanced to start off with, but from what I've read so far, I'd say this is a great book to have.

Microelectronic Circuits (sedra/smith) - as Art of Electronics, this one expects you to have some prior knowledge of circuits. It almost jumps straight into transistors and opamps, but shows enough math to satisfy me.  I've only read a few chapters of this so far but it is easier to read than many similar books. This one was reccomended by one of my professors in school.

The last two here I haven't had long but I like them both very much so far.

other than the fatman, I think building a modular synth would be a good way to start. You can start off building simple modules or kits, then keep adding on with more advanced or your ownd designs as you go. I've build several Oakley Sound modules now that are great.

check my site: http://www.sdiy.org/destrukto

..ryan
  hey everybody, i have been on the list for a several weeks now and have enjoyed all the information so far. although alot of it is way over my head, i think this forum is right up my alley, as they say. what i would like to know from you all is... how did you get into this?  what made you decide to start making your own music machines?  what was your fist diy project? how did it work out for you ( did you bite off more than you could chew, or was it a smooth operation)? what would you say, besides sdiy, was the most important resource to you when you started (a book or project or mentor) and what would you fine folks recomend as a good beginner project. i know that is kind of alot, but i am curious.
  thanks for all the info thus far and for all you may provide in the future.

  Easy Data Music
  www.easydatamusic.com
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