Electronics

Electronic circuits and components can be divided into two groups: analog and digital. A particular device may consist of circuitry that has one or the other or a mix of the two.

A linear circuit is one in which, for a sinusoidal input voltage of frequency f, any steady-state output of the circuit (the current through any component, or the voltage between any two points) is also sinusoidal with frequency f. Note that the output need not be in phase with the input.

Getting started
In the 1950s and '60s experimenting with electronics was simpler but limited in what could be produced. These days it very much more sophisticated. However with the components and tools now available, a lot more can be achieved that back then would have taxed a huge research lab.

First gain experience with some simpler audio electronics project(s), and build up the knowledge, skills and equipment. Developing the circuit is finally not that difficult, but then creating the module or synth as a real physical/mechanical thing is. Making pcbs, making front panels, choosing the right parts which fit the mechanical requirements, etc. So start with some kind of kit based or at least fully instructed project, like something from Catgirl Synth or Music From Outer Space especially the Sound Lab Mini-Synth Once you've managed to build one of these, you can start modifying it and adding your own developments. This way you are rehearsing the mechanical side (which definitely needs to be learned mostly by experience), and you will already learn a lot about electronics.

Construction methods
Many different methods of connecting components have been used over the years. Early electronics often used point to point wiring, or terminal strips. Most modern day electronics now use printed circuit boards (PCBs) made of materials such as FR4, or the cheaper (and less hard-wearing) Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper (SRBP, also known as Paxoline/Paxolin (trade marks) and FR2). Health and environmental concerns associated with electronics assembly have gained increased attention in recent years, especially for products destined to the European Union, with its Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE).

Enclosure design considerations
An engineer or designer must balance many objectives and practical considerations when selecting enclosures and protective features of the product itself and its components.

Pages of links

 * EEVblog links (in wiki format)