Anyone have the name of any books or guides that could get me started building my own audio gear and modding old systems? I can do basic mods like prosound, backlight, pitch mods, and other things that are laid out for me in tutorials. I want to step up my skill to include greater understanding of electronics and the inner workings of audio gear. Kits may be helpful as well. I'm a beginner but I want to be challenged. Don't go way over my head though. Thanks so much.
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Fargo
No, I haven't. What are they most commonly used for? Do they come in kits or have to be built from scratch?
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Tokyo, Japan
Either or I think. They are midi synth based on old computer chips, sequencers all that good stuff.
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Fargo
These look pretty cool. I'll have to look more into which ones may be doable.
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USA
The cheapest starting place I can think of is circuit-bending.
There are tons of tutorials online about circuit-bending.
Circuit-bending is mostly lots of its trial and error so you don't need to know much about electronics other than how to avoid electrocuting yourself to death.
I would recommend going to your local thrift store for battery operated toys.
Toys that make noise like toy keyboards, megaphones, furbys, and baby toys are a good place to start.
Then all you need is a few tools and basic electronic components like wire, alligator clips, solder, and a soldering iron.
You can salvage most of the other electronic components like potentiometer, resistors, capacitors, LEDs, and switches from broken electronics.
You might also want to learn how to use a multimeter, you can learn this online as well.
If you get good a circuit bending you can progress onto guitar effects pedal modding.
But you can also modify other electronics as your skills improve.
I've added LEDs to all my PS3 controller's PS buttons and I've modified pretty much every guitar effects pedal and guitar amplifier that I've ever owned.
Tube amp modding, building, or restoration would probably be the next step or you can just get creative and do whatever project you feel most passionately about.
Guitar amps are dangerous and they can electrocute you to death even when there not plugged, dangerous amounts of current can stay stored in their large capacitors so I would stay away from guitar amps until you learn more about them.
I took a digital electronics class in high school and I've always been fascinated with electronics since I was kid.
Never stop researching, learning, improving your skills, and always be creative.
Good Luck!
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USA
My last post may contain a bunch of stuff you already and it might not help you that much.
Most of the things I know about electronics I've learned directly for other people and from experience.
So I can't really point you towards any good books or guides.
They do exist and google search is a useful tool.
But I would really like to help, if you ever need advice or help on a specific project or problem just send me a PM and I'll do whatever I can to help.
Last edited by SurfaceDragon (Jul 23, 2011 10:38 am)
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Fargo
Thanks a lot, man! That does help. I've researched circuit bending but haven't really tried it yet. I think I may try it and will definitely pick up a multimeter and learn how to use it.
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matt's mind
the midibox stuff, imho, is a little thick for a beginner to undertake. well... you could build the thing and get it working, but there is a lot of stuff involved in the build which requires more than just a soldering gun. and, its advanced enough you may not understand what it is you are doing, and why, because there is just so much to do in a project like that
-- of course you can get the mU pre-programmed and stuff like that and save on some of the work... --
circuit bending is a nice place to learn how to assemble and solder and things, but a bad place to learn theory (if you care about that bit).
(i was going to suggest one of the curious inventor 'Voice of Saturn" modules here, but it appears they are downsizing and have discontinued them 
... although they are based on a classic design... which reminds me...
google "atari punk console". it uses a great IC to learn about 
i honestly do think the midibox stuff is a little heavy for a beginning... same with the x0x or another big device which requires tuning or programming of some sort...
if i had everything to do over again, i would have skipped circuit bending as a learning tool and learned solely on building modular synthesizers (which came after CB for me). avoid building VCOs or things you need to tune at first, and there are tons of easy modular kits out there. and, each one goes towards your modular system
there are plenty out there, i'd suggest eurorack format because its becoming the new standard it seems...
/just my 2 cents/
edit : also, curiousinventor.com and sparkfun.com have some GREAT tutorials on beginning soldering (including surface mount work) and basic electronics theory. should help...
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Fargo
Very good to know. Reading about the midibox projects, I think you're right. It does seem a bit over my head at this point. I am definitely interested in learning theory. That's what I'm most concerned about learning so that I can troubleshoot future projects better and hopefully learn how to read a schematic. I will check out your suggestions. Thank you!
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Fargo
This APC (look at me, I'm already using the lingo) looks awesome! I'm totally making this.
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USA
I think you might be able to get an ArduinoBoy kit from NEX.
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Fargo
Now THAT is a great idea. I very much admire Nex's work. And I could get some good use out of an ArduinoBoy. I'll PM him about it.