Progress

[darren adcock]

Just wanted to say thanks to people on here who have helped me thus far in learning electronics. This week i managed todiagnose and repair tow faults in two circuits. I wouldn't have been able to do this without your guys patient teaching over the past couple of years.

I'm sure I'll make some howlers still and baffle you all with problems I've created.

But feel like a milestone has been turned and just wanted to say thanks.

I'm looking forward to sharing my mod synth, I've got three modules working and calibrated. I'll add the vclfo this week and share how it's going.

Scribbling all over printouts of schematics has been a huge help!

 

[hevans1944]

Scribbling all over printouts of schematics has been a huge help!

Back in the day... Sams Photofacts folders had excellent schematics that were augmented with notations of voltages and waveforms to expect at various nodes in the circuit. Some even included actual oscilloscope photographs of the expected waveforms. With a decent PDF editor, it should be easy to add this sort of thing to your project schematics. Years from now you will appreciate having done this.

 

[darren adcock]

Thanks.

I will invest in this. I've finally made friends with my oscciloscope now so will do this also.

 

[kellys_eye]

ahhhh - the days when documenting electronics had a department all of its own in most manufacturing companies!

The reason why there's a growing support base for 'antique' electronics is precisely because it's stuff that can be serviced and has been thoroughly documented in its design and construction. The same may apply to anything 'you' might build - history may repeat itself and your synth may stand the test of time and someone, somewhere, in decades to come, may find your equipment and rejoice in the prospect of maintaining its function if ONLY because you properly documented it!

I watched a Youtube of someone dismantling an old washing machine (35 years old) and there was a full schematic of the machines electrical wiring placed INSIDE the washing machine for serving purposes - it had, apparently, been untouched.... testament to the quality of manufacture and the attention to detail (such as providing the schematic).

Built-in obsolescence is wasteful and criminal in my eyes - but the world is now ruled by accountants, not engineers.

 

[darren adcock]

ahhhh - the days when documenting electronics had a department all of its own in most manufacturing companies!

The reason why there's a growing support base for 'antique' electronics is precisely because it's stuff that can be serviced and has been thoroughly documented in its design and construction. The same may apply to anything 'you' might build - history may repeat itself and your synth may stand the test of time and someone, somewhere, in decades to come, may find your equipment and rejoice in the prospect of maintaining its function if ONLY because you properly documented it!

I watched a Youtube of someone dismantling an old washing machine (35 years old) and there was a full schematic of the machines electrical wiring placed INSIDE the washing machine for serving purposes - it had, apparently, been untouched.... testament to the quality of manufacture and the attention to detail (such as providing the schematic).

Built-in obsolescence is wasteful and criminal in my eyes - but the world is now ruled by accountants, not engineers.

Yes, inside my sequntial circuits drumtraks there's a booklet glued with schematics and service notes. It always made me like it lots more.

I like your point and I will endeavour to find a place within my synth that has the notes needed for it's upkeep.

 

[darren adcock]

Here's a few shots of what my mod synth is looking like. I'll be expecting video game/comic book puns for the artwork! defo gonna be a confusing interface.

 

[darren adcock]

pressed post to soon.... more shots.

 

[darren adcock]

I attached all the pcb's to brackets so I could access them and fold them back in again. Not sure how big this thing might get so thought this might be a good move. Plus it really helped wih the wiring.

 

[bushtech]

touch of steampunk there?

 

[darren adcock]

I collect scrap, so it's gonna be unavoidably steam punk looking i guess.

 

[kellys_eye]

I like your approach.

Too often I spent time trying to make my home-made equipment look 'professional' rather than concentrating on it actually working properly! I've lost count of the number of iterations of power supply that I've 'packaged' when it works perfectly well regardless of whether it's in biscuit tin or a 'pro'-looking case.......

Maybe I should adopt your approach and have my whole workshop kitted out 'steampunk fashion'

 

[darren adcock]

I daren't show you how my workshop looks, it's basically a scrapyard condensed into 6m squared.

Thank you. I use scrap a lot. I don't see the point buying stuff when i just need to make a bit of effort to go through skips, ask builders what they might be throwing out over their build. I left two guitar pedal making forums as I found it tedious being criticised for not following the professional look approach. I like both looks.

 

[kellys_eye]

I use scrap a lot. I don't see the point buying stuff when i just need to make a bit of effort to go through skips, ask builders what they might be throwing out over their build.

Preaching to the converted here....!!!

I also wander (read- get dragged) around the likes of Ikea and always look at the goods with an eye for using it for 'other purposes'....

 

[darren adcock]

Yes, Ikea stresses me out. I have a collection of their chair leg brackets (the round ones with the thread) i find uses for these often, really good for quick fix motor collars if you need to attach something big. I spend time making strange experimental music, those metal legs have good ringing qualities.