I've decided it'd be helpful (big part of why im even bothering to do this blog nonsense is to help others out)..REALLY helpful-to put up the links, etc that I use ALL THE TIME when im DIY'ing (DIM'ing?).
Here it is:
1. If you are buying or using wire you will see things like "18AWG" & think to yourself : "What the Fuck does AWG mean?" And its important that you DO take a look because it is NOT common sense and is completely counterintuitive to a certain degree (**the sizes go down for larger wires for example).
Here's a chart I've found easy to read and understand:
AWG (American Wire Guage) Wire Size Chart ( http://diyaudioprojects.com/Technical/American-Wire-Gauge/ )
2. Resistors..these things can be INCREDIBLY small. And who can remember or memorize all the combinations of %, ohms, and color/number of stripes? Much easier to use a handy:
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| Graphic Res Calc |
3. Capacitors, same thing-they can be TINY..and its hard enough just to find the code, let alone read the damn digits. Well, if you haven't already bought some killer magnifying lighted headgear..then you need to. In the meantime, use your roommate's coke-bottle glasses to magnify the cap & read the code and then use:
Capacitor Code Calculator ( http://www.electronics2000.co.uk/calc/capacitor-code-calculator.php )
4. After that, you may have a schematic that says Mf instead of Uf (they;re the same, FYI) or that says "__n" instead of " __uf" so you may need a :
Capacitance Converter Calculator ( http://www.calculator.org/property.aspx?name=capacitance )
5. Speaking of datasheets (note rant below), here are 2 different sites which I often find the datasheets on. (**another source is any site, including the ones listed here, that SELLS components-they'll have the datasheets as well and are an EXCELLENT resource for data on current/not-discontinued components)
5a. Experimentalists Anonymous ( http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/ ) Excellent for dtasheets on IC's and semiconductors (diodes, voltage regulators, etc) of all kinds
5b. Frank's "electron tube database" ( http://frank.pocnet.net/ ) : Datasheets for thousands of Vacuum (electron) tubes
6. Transistor "pinouts"-here's a page with a quick, graphical reference to most of the transistors that you'll commonly be using and which lead is which ( http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Transistor-Pinouts/index.htm )
7. LED Calculator ( http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz ): this is a single LED series resistance calc, for when you have a single LED and need to know "what resistor should I use with my LED?" This calculator determines that for you.
7b. LED series/parallel array wizard ( http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz ) for calcs with more than one LED. will help with connections for any number of LEDs.
8. Filter Calculators :
8a. Active Audio Filter Calculator ( http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-filter.htm ) This will not only calculate the values for you, it will also (*note the option) SHOW YOU THE SCHEMATIC!!
8b. Simple Bandpass Filter Calculator/Designer ( http://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/Simple_Bandpass.php ) Similar to 8a, VERY COOL.
There are lots of other online tools I use, but those are the ones I use most often, Im sure there are lots more out there-take a look for yourself & explore!
In closing, I thought I'd add some :
GENERAL AUDIO DIY/SDIY GENERALLY USEFUL HINTS:
1. Read the datasheet : I can't tell you how many times I've spent hours online searching for a schematic, or looking through forums for information on where the VCC pin is or whether a chip will work on 5v instead of 7v, etc. Most of the time, I could have just read the datasheet!
(don't be as dumb as me, in other words)
Furthermore, you would be surprised how many of the "example of use" schematics included are the exact same circuit used by engineers/manufacturers in the device you are looking at (take a look at almost ANY "delay pedal" and then the Princeton PT2399 datasheet-you'll be surprised!)
Also, there are often multiple schematics/circuits in the datasheets for one IC, many times there are ones that closely approximate the use you have in mind. You may have to change only small things like the size of the output or the type.
2. Check Forums, Sign up for Forums, Read Forums, Contribute to Forums : This is THE best way to get answers to questions, find info, get advice, socialize, learn, etc from others who are motivated by their shared interest.
Here are a few I recommend:
Electro-Music ( http://www.electro-music.com/ )
DIYStomboxes (www.diystompboxes.com/ )
Muff Wiggler ( www.muffwiggler.com/ )
EEV Blog ( www.eevblog.com/forum/ )
Experimentalists Anonymous ( http://www.experimentalistsanonymous.com/ )
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