Can anyone recommend a good ‘beginner’/‘introduction’ book(s) to analog synthesis electronics or even just basic electonics (not necessarily pertaining to analog synths). I would like to learn more about this stuff, but I don’t even know where to begin. I’d prefer something with atleast some diagrams/photos/schematics.
I know many of you are engineers etc. Your thoughts?
try finding an old copy of Allen Strange’s “Electronic Music: Systems, Techniques, Controls” (I think that’s what it’s called). The first edition is really from the old analog days.
Start with this book. It gives an excellent overview of analog and digital electronic design with a minimum of math or heavy theory:
The Art of Electronics, 2nd Edition by Horowitz & Hill
For musical electronics, the best reference is the Musical Engineer’s Handboook by Bernie Hutchins. It is 30 years old, but has all the specifics of analog synthesizer design. It costs $35 straight from Bernie: http://electronotes.netfirms.com/ The extended service set 1 (application notes 1-281) has a ton of 2 page tutorials on synth circuits. If you want a real treasure trove of analog music circuits, order the everything package from him.
There is also a Synth DIY email list dedicated to synthesizer design, primarily analog. Searchable archives are here: http://search.retrosynth.com/synth-diy/ and it includes a link for subscribing.
Ray Wilson has a Synth DIY site with schematics, circuit descriptions and some PC Boards available. http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/
I hope this helps.
FYI, don’t bother with the 1st edition of the Allen Strange book, the 2nd edition is far better. It talks about modular synthesis techniques and patching though, not circuit design.