Building Electronic Instruments?

[alabaster]

I'm a musician and have always been fascinated by the idea of building (and
even inventing) my own musical instruments... I have a good deal of
experience using analog synths, so I know basically how they function, but I
don't know them from the inside out...

I know very little about electronics, and have never really done any work
with a circuit board or soldering iron..

Any suggestions on books, websites, or other resources where I can do some
beginner projects which relate specifically to sound generation /
modification (also MIDI) and learn the basics of audio electronics in the
process?

Initially I'm looking for inexpensive and fairly simple projects.
Ultimately I'm looking to understand this stuff well enough to be able to
conceptualize and invent musical instruments. Any resources on how to get
from here to there? (In particular, one resource which has projects of
increasing difficulty would be ideal).

I'm not looking to spend a fortune here, as this may end up being a whim
which ends up in the attic with those bagpipes I just had to buy off ebay.
If this turns from casual interest to hobby to obsession, I will eventually
be throwing large chunks of my paycheck at it, but first things first...

thanks,
chris.

 

[Dan Barlow]

alabaster wrote:

Any suggestions on books, websites, or other resources where I can do some
beginner projects which relate specifically to sound generation /
modification (also MIDI) and learn the basics of audio electronics in the
process?

"The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill. It takes you from
single components up into quite valuable circuits. It is a bit
expensive but well worth it as a teaching guide and reference.
Winn Hill will sometimes answer questions in sci.electronics.design.

Forrest Mims wrote some little booklets that you might still find at
Radio Shack. I found them extremely helpful when I was learning
the basics of analog electronics. There is a basics one and all of
them have some kind of audio project or other. Also the 150-in-One
(or whatever they have now) teach yourself electronics kits have
many audio projects, it might be worth getting one and going through
all the exercises. I had a tendency to take mine apart though.

There are usegroups for MIDI, and probably analog synth. I suppose
you've already looked at those.

Google finds some interesting links if you search for
basic audio project circuit

I list a promising one here: http://www.keelynet.com/sources/schema1.htm
Also if you have a specific project in mind you can search for it plus
"circuit" and many times get a few hits.

Finally, if you have specific questions, feel free to post here or
Email me and I will try to help. I have built a few small devices
based on the Exar 2206 function generator, so can give practical
examples.
-Dan Barlow

 

[Squid]

I found these two books to be really helpful.

http://www.paia.com/epfm.htm
http://www.paia.com/pfg.htm

 

[JeffM]

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=%22craig+anderton%22&btnG=Google+Search