Suggested Readings and Resources

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Suggested Readings and Resources

rocket88
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i've noticed there's been a lot of talk going on about where to find info on how circuits work, what parts do, etc. so i thought it might be a good idea to build a resource that provides links and books that can provide electronics information to help people with building and understanding circuits, which can help with modding effects. so here's what i've read and use often.

here are some books i've found and read that have been a great resource. some of them i've been able to find a pdf online, not sure if i can post a download link or not, so all the links are the amazon.

Electronics for Guitarists - this is the first electronics book i bought that deals with electronics and music. covers everything stompbox related, instrument wiring, and even tube amp building. can be found reasonably priced too. it's the book that got me thinking i could build stompboxes and amps, a must IMHO

Tab Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics - general electronics, and covers nearly everything you could need. there's a lot you can skip, but a great resource to have.

Practical Electronics for Inventors - general electronics, and covers nearly everything you could need. there's a lot you can skip, but a great resource to have.

Beginners Guide to Reading Schematics - just about reading schematics and how to make your own. can be found real cheap and a good quick read to help if you have trouble with schematics

Active Filter Cookbook - this was suggested by R.G. Keen to me and is only about filters and designing them. he said it's in his personal library and he couldn't do without it. if you want/need to design different filters it's awesome.

Electronic Projects for Musicians - a classic as far as pedal building, still a great informative read and has a bunch of projects to build.


Sinclair  Practical Electronics Handbook
 - a good read, with some great projects.

online resources

GeoFex
 - long running site of R.G. Keen. an unbelievable amount of information. i can not tell you how many times i've read through his site.


DIYSB Wiki
 - contains some of the most clear explanations for some basic concepts like what different parts do, basic mods and how they work (ex: changing clipping diodes), and more. plus if you're not a member of the DIYSB forum, which you should be IMHO, you can use the wiki all you want.

AMZFx - similar to R.G. Keen's GeoFex but has different info. a great read and resource.
 
DIYSB Forum - another diy pedal building community. tons of info, lots of help.

FSB Forum - another diy pedal building community. tons of info, lots of help.

beavis audio research - no longer updated, unfortunately, but contains a wealth of information and projects. one of the first sites i found and read over and over when i was first starting. still go back for tech info. there's a great pdf he made called "Hackers Guide to The BeavisBoard" which is basically on using a breadboard. anyone that is interested in bread boarding this is a must read. he gives step by step instructions and has images of what your breadboard should look like.

smallbear - they don't just have great parts at good prices, steve, the owner, also has a section on how to's, which will take you through certain builds, breadboard projects, mods, etc.

i left off the Wampler books, for a few reasons. the main reason is that Brian Wampler has made if clear that there are many mistakes in them, in the way he explained many concepts. i've read them, and while they do contain a lot of info, and are good i wouldn't suggest them for someone just starting with very little knowledge as it can cause some confusion later on when you learn the correct concepts.

so come on guys, add the resources you use so everyone can learn as much as they want and we can all have a ton of resources at our fingertips.
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

dexxyy
There`s a download link in This Thread for a stack of great reading material for anyone that's interested
If it wasn't for this website I would definitely have a life.
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

rocket88
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Silver Blues
EDIT I found it. It's a book on vacuum tube amp design that I found really neat. I actually printed and bound it (it's so many pages )

Also don't forget Runoffgroove! There's a lot of information on their pages about the way they design their circuits, which can be extrapolated into some useful conceptual information.
Through all the worry and pain we move on
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

rocket88
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Chris60601
In reply to this post by dexxyy
This is cool, thank you!
So, the file name has volume 1 - do we know if there is a volume 2 to this by chance?!

Cheers!
Yeah, 220, 221. Whatever it takes.
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Frank_NH
OK, let's add to the list of links:

Revolution Deux Blog
Wonderful site by Fred Briggs.  Hasn't been updated in a while, but still a great resource for DIY.

Big Muff Pi Home Page
Kit Rae's site which is THE last word on the Big Muff Pi.  Lots to learn there.

Electrosmash.com
A nice page with some very complete walk-throughs of famous pedal circuits like the TS9, Rat, Big Muff.

The Valve Wizard
Tube amps, effects, and lots of info.  What's not to like?

GM Arts
Guitar related stuff.  The link takes you to nice article on overdrive and distortion, and specific effects circuits.  The last circuit is the GM Arts overdrive, which someone just make a vero for in the Contributions section here.




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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Silver Blues
Ah yeah I forgot about Kit Rae's site. It's where I learned as much as I know about Muffs.
Through all the worry and pain we move on
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Beaker
In reply to this post by rocket88
And there is Gaussmarkov's excellent site, particulary good for a offboard wiring walk through:

http://gaussmarkov.net/wordpress/


Harald's Sabrotone site:

http://www.sabrotone.com/

Newbies should read the FAQ pages like this one on switch wiring.

http://www.sabrotone.com/?page_id=3480


And a new tube amp motherlode I've found recently:

http://el34world.com/charts/Schematics1.php



This is a great idea guys, and will help some people out a lot, especially beginners. It is somewhat ironic however that we are putting this list up here, when nearly all these links are staring everyone in the face on the right hand side of the home page!
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Beaker
Just re-read my last bit - sounds a bit harsh. You do realise that that sentiment is not meant for ANY of you guys.

I just think that however many pages of links or tutorial are put up, we are still going to get people asking "how do I......"
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Re: Suggested Readings and Resources

Frank_NH
Beaker,

That's OK if some of these same links are on the home page.  I hope our comments will encourage people to visit these great websites for additional information.

I also wanted to encourage folks to try their hand at making their own layouts.  Here's the software that we use:

DIY Layout Creator

It's not too hard and actually kind of fun (like a puzzle as IvIark mentions in his how-to article on the home page).  I've done a few and have some definite preferences about component layouts (maybe I can start a separate topic on that).