Re: Suggestions for aspiring hobbyist



sly.psi@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

There must be a million of these posts on this group and I apologize in
advance if I'm violating some rule.

I come from a computer science background and I'm now looking to get
into electronics as a hobby. I have a few ideas for circuits I'd like
to construct eventually, most of which revolve around various sensors
and audio processing. One specific circuit I'd like to build a sample
& bit rate reducer for an electric guitar or bass signal with a
CV-controlled LFO to control the intensity of the effect.

Anyway, I've been reading books by Forrest Mims and also /Electronics
for Dummies/ at the book store as well as various internet sources for
additional information. Some sources claim /The Art of Electronics/ is
a necessity while others say it has entirely too much information and
the wrong approach for a hobbyist. I don't want to just build pre-made
kits or copy other people schematics -- I'd really like to make new and
original things happen. I have plenty ideas, but I seem to be stuck in
the CS / software point of view when it comes to construction. I can
build an entire program in my head for the aforementioned sample rate
reducer, but I just can't see envision it in components. I assume I'd
need some sort of analog signal to digital signal converter and an IC
chip to do the real work of the problem... but I really have no idea.

I already have some preliminary equipment (solder iron, desoldering
braid, thin pliers & cutters, wire stripper, 20 AWG solid wire, digital
multimeter, etc) but no actual components or breadboard. At this point
I am sort of sold on the dead-bug style for educational / experimental
prototyping.

So does anyone have any suggestions for me at all in anything I've
mentioned? I find myself wanting an expert electronics guy around to
guide me, but I don't know anyone, so I turn to internet folk. Any
material to read, sources to look up, comments regarding /The Art of
Electronics/?

Buy some hobby mags to begin with. Just about everyone started there.

I'd advise not trying to run before you can walk. First off you need to acquaint
yourself with the practical aspects of construction and circuit design.

Graham

.

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