I'm Back!

Lets talk about things I completely forgot about. Like this blog.

Its almost been two years since my last post, and much has changed since then. I've started and finished a few projects, while others have been pushed to the side due to lack of time. Lack of time is also why I haven't been updating this blog.

I logged on to blogger today after remembering that this thing exists, and apparently people have been reading it. This has inspired me to get back to writing, so lets get at it.

Let's start with project updates. 

I gave up on the ESQ-1 and sold it for parts.

I didn't have time to work on the guitar amps until recently. The SLO Clone is painfully close to working. I've learned a lot in the process of debugging it though. I also decided to completely re-cap the Fender Bassman. This is actually something that I have actually been working on recently (as in last week). Expect post about both of these projects in the near future.

Looking back on some of these posts is kind of a trip. My synthesizer setup looks very different these days. I've bought and sold a few pieces in the last two years. I also have a new found love for the Roland S-700 series of samplers. In addition to the S-770, I now own a S-760 and found a large sample library on eBay. Pianos, strings, and just about everything else sounds wonderful coming out of them. 

I've also started to work on a project not related to music too. I decided to learn how to program an Arduino. The first major Arduino project be designing and building swarming robots. I have a good idea about how to accomplish this and I'm working on a plan for the design, construction, and testing of the various components that will make up the robots. The name of the game is simplicity. The robots will follow two basic rules: stay near the pack and don't run into things. I ordered the first few components from Sparkfun yesterday and basic testing of a few design components will probably begin next week. Expect future posts about this project too.

That's all for now.

AMpeD Up!

It is time to fix the SLO Clone once and for all. Or at least figure out what is wrong with it. Or...try to.

For My Consideration

For many months now I have been thinking about buying a kit from BYOC. For some reason I haven't done it yet. They have a lot of really cool kits. I've had my eye on a vibrato. Or their fuzz. I have a friend who built the fuzz, and it sounds sweet.

I also have plans to build a compressor. I have a mouser project list with all the parts, I just need to hit the "Purchase" button and say goodbye to $35. I already have the IC. I'm pretty sure the schematic I have if for this guy, which I hear great things about. Maybe if i choose to go the less responsible path with whatever Christmas money (in what ever form it comes) I get this year, I will finally buy the parts for it, instead of paying off various debts and student loans.

Although I might not do any of the above. I have been planning on building a Matchless Hotbox clone for about a year now. Again, have the Mouser project saved with all the parts, just need to hit the purchase button.

Meanwhile, I founda broken tube in my Fender Bassman head, which explains why it wasn't working. I'm also feeling a strong desire to replace all the tubes in it. And I have the strangest feeling that the power tubes have gone bye-bye in my SLO Clone. Sigh.

Welcome!

Howdy!

Just starting this blog. Its goal: to follow my progress in all the various music-electronic projects I have going on. Many of them are long term tinkering and experimenting. I plan on updating whenever I work on something, highlighting my progress, the what and how (any why, if there is a why) of what I did. Hopefully there will be lots of pictures, drawings, and other fun stuff.

I'll start with a list of current projects I currently have on the table. Some of them I haven't the slightest idea what I'm doing, so it will be a learning process.

Anyway, here is the list:

• Fix a broken key on an Yamaha DX7
• Finish putting a distortion circuit in a guitar. The guitar is some Japanese Strat knock off (Aria Pro II, if it matters). The distortion is a Way Huge Red Llama.
• Build a guitar. This is a very long term project. I'm just in the planning phase now. It will be cool though.
• Troubleshoot a SLO 100 clone (or should it be a SLO 50? Its the 50 watt version) I built a while back. Somethings wrong, and I don't know what.

There will be much more detail on all of these individual projects as I get around to working on them. In the next week or so, depending on time, I'll post detailed explanations of what I'm doing and a few pictures of them. I also have a few other projects that I might start, but those will be kind of spontaneous. If I dont have time to work on things, I might post pictures of past projects.

And about me? Well, I majored in Audio Technology at American University. That doesn't mean a whole lot though. I developed a passion for playing with electronic things during that time, but I have always enjoyed taking things apart. I don't work in the audio field, but I do have a decent job (I also majored in International Relations, you know, liberal arts BS) that I enjoy, and it helps fund my projects, so there you go.

Enjoy!