[el_matt0]

bit of a random question, but i often wonder what the exact range of backgrounds is with most of our DIYers out here. myself, im a 3rd year biology major studying my undergrad, so obviously electrical background/expertise is FAR FAR from being natural to me, and its often the hugest problem i have in beginning to work on more and more complex amp designs, not to mention the lack of background knowledge is often a HUGE PITA when troubleshooting problems. that said, i know a good number of the more well-known DIYers around here are either ex-audio engineers, or are currently actively involved in the industry. i just thought it would be kind of interesting if you guys could post what your qualifications / background are, ive long been very intersted to know! of course if its too much personal info to reveal on the web, just dont post ! kind of in addition to that, any suggestions you "pros" might make on helping me fill in this void of knowledge with respect to basic electronics. learning as i go is fun and definitely a slow process, often times i feel like i might be better off just reading a book with general info or even taking a basic college electronics course or something even!

 

[splaz]

Well I half did a course at TAFE, which I guess would be the equivalent to say a community college ? elsewhere.

Anyway that basically covered basics of DC and AC, resistors, capacitors and inductors and how they work, how to use CROs and other test bench gear. Crash course in power supplies, both linear and switchmode, some in depth stuff on digital and micro controllers. My course was actually specialised in networking though, so I missed out on amplifiers and RF stuff.

I learnt a lot, it was a pretty good mix of theory and practical, however sometimes it got tedious. I do know that you learn the most by seeing and hearing and then doing, but it did get annoying at times having to say breadboard up a rectifier and get the dodgy old CRO working and calibrated just to show up a wave exactly as the textbook said you'd get...

I think if you don't want to do some sort of course in it, maybe just get a good book or two, and then practice what you can. Like get a breadboard and some components to play around with and test out things in the book.

I've got the book "The Art of Electronics" which even though it's old seems pretty highly recommended, haven't had a chance to get anywhere near through it so can't say. Seems very indepth if a little brief to beginners in the first few chapters. Then I've also got 2 textbooks from that course, 1 just about general AC/DC electronics and the other is specifically about digital and programming.

 

[Marzie]

I graduated from a tech college last year with an associates degree entitled "Industrial Automation, Controls, and Networking" I thought my entry level job would be something far below what I am doing now, but I am an automation engineer. We took a few classes on electrical theory and application; a lot of that was dealing with industrial voltages and safety, but two of them I would say had more to do with circuitry. If you are in need of a few general elective credits, I would DEFINITELY suggest taking one in this area, even if it is just to bolster your DIY skills/knowledge. I don't have much on audio circuit design, but I can understand some of the concepts, and someday I might design my own amp, who knows. There are many good books on circuits, and I'm sure many specifically on audio circuits. I was under 13 when I picked up my first circuit design book from Radio Shack, back when they carried those types of things. I had almost forgotten about that till now, so thanks for helping jog my memory!

 

[el_matt0]

thanks for the info guys. yes ive heard that the Art of Electronics is highly recommended. I hear it can be a bit of a heavy read at times but is one of the best books available out there. I will undoubtedly check this one out along with any other suggestions you guys have. I am probably more inclined towards book learning as I work full time in a research lab over the summer so I dont have a ton of time to enroll in a course, most of my DIY stuff is just in my spare time when I can squeeze it in, so that will also have to include "learning" electronics stuff.

 

[dgbiker1]

I got my BSc in Biomedical Engineering. Our department was a subdivision of the EE department, so we did a LOT of EE coursework and we focused on the electrical aspects of BE. I'm now getting my graduate degree in mechanical engineering, but again doing more EE work than ME. My thesis is in biorobotics, so most of my research has been doing circuit and power system design and coding. I'm also taking courses in acoustics to get the credits I need

 

[beerguy0]

I'm an Engineering Aide, working in RF. A large part of my job is building prototypes, performing tests, and collecting data in R&D programs. My job also often involves kludging new circuits into old ones to test improvements or added functionality to existing designs, or just doing PWB reworks. (I spend a *lot* of time with my Metcal irons.) I also do schematic entry and simulations, order parts, maintain BOM's, etc.

The Art of Electronics is a book I refer to often. Lots of good practical advice, and not too math-heavy.

 

[Uncle Erik]

I'm a lawyer and an accountant. Oh, and I have another degree in English.

But I've had an amateur radio license for a few years now and got into hi-fi through repairing old radios. I took a couple of electronics courses in high school and came across an old tube AM radio at a junk store I frequented for old furniture (another passion). I liked it and thought, "I can fix this." And I did. That lead to more radios, then to communications receivers and a tubed TV set.

That lead to the amateur license and trying my hand at tubed hi-fi gear.

I don't know anywhere as much as most people in the DIY Forum do, but I enjoy it. Electronics is completely different from the day job and the business I help run, so it's an escape. And fun.

If I were you, I'd definitely take some of the introductory electrical engineering courses. Tube gear is simple compared to the modern digital stuff - I'd bet a few units would get you solidly on the path.

 

[FallenAngel]

Yeah, in no way professionally schooled in engineering, I'm a Programmer Analyst, but I really like building stuff and damn music sounds good, so here I am building

 

[el_matt0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FallenAngel /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, in no way professionally schooled in engineering, I'm a Programmer Analyst, but I really like building stuff and damn music sounds good, so here I am building

heh! amen to that man!

 

[Fitz]

I'm a low voltage technician, essentially a jack of all trades for tech stuff. Not so much audio-specific in general, but I do do a lot of electronics repairs and have to come up with custom solutions on certain jobs.

 

[manaox2]

Art of Electronics:

The Art of Electronics - Google Book Search

I messed around with electronics and stuff like that in high school a lot and took classes at a local community college. After my second year of Electrical and Computer engineering at my University, I decided against going further in it because it sucked the fun out of it all when I didn't know what I wanted to do with it and it was a job suddenly. Now that I'm enjoying DIY again in audio, it has gotten me more interested. I think I would rather learn on my own to keep it fun again.

 

[Pars]

I have an AAS in EET (EE Technology) and a BA in Music. I used to work as a technician in the semiconductor industry, and now work as an engineer for a telecom manufacturer (engineer more in title as I work for sales/marketing and don't do hands on anymore, which I definitely miss). My AAS background was more in digital, as was my job in the semicon industry, so analog theory/knowledge was somewhat weak (enter AofE).

 

[dBel84]

Well, much like Unkle Eric, this hobby is a pleasant distraction from what I do during the day and allows me to relax even though I often end up having to read and understand far more concepts than would be normally considered relaxing

. I am an MD, (clinical genetics fellow) and researcher in molecular biology. I was a mere 18 when I built my first transistor amp ( which sounded like cr*p ) and then found a 50's tube amp which needed refurbished - been involved in DIY ever since. Only started building headphone amps in 2000 though - this has been a lot of fun..dB

 

[RoosterX]

I'm new/old to DIY since i've done some from time to time, ever since i was 7 years old or so(started by doing a slight modification on my brothers AMP - let me just say this - it died ;D hehe)

Anyway i've always been interested in electronics, and i get hooked on everything depending on what year it is, or so it seems. For example i seem to buy gamesconsoles just to chip them(i own Wii, ,xbox,xbox 360 and a psp) and i never use them after i've chipped them.

In my teens i started a electronics education that i never finished, but this is getting to be many years ago, and it's almost scary to see how much you forget when you don't use it.(like my English)

So i'd say i'm a hobbyist that have some basic knowledge.

Daily i work as a watchmaker(mechanical ones for the most)

 

[Roam]

I'm retired now. My degree is in Electrical Engineering and that's where I spent my entire career, focusing on instrumentation and RF design & prototyping. Audio was, and remains a way for me to unwind from the stresses of life, as a bonus I get to apply some of the things I learned from work to push the limits and see what's possible. I was fortunate that I started my career near the end of the tube age, and learned from some of the best & brightest analog design engineers around as they perfected the last generation of tube and struggled through the rough beginnings of transistors. They were some of the best people on the cutting edge of technology and I was in the right place at just the right time.