how did you become so knowledgeable in the field of audio electronics?

[osu1177]

Hello,

Just a general question. How did you become involved in audio engineering and how did you become so knowledgeable? Did you teach yourself? Or take classes in college?
David

[richie00boy]

A mixture of both. The real deep stuff/details are self taught, that's the only way you can get to specialise really.

It doesn't come quickly, be prepared to study, study and study. But don't forget to back it up with practical building and simulating.

I'm still learning on a regular basis after over 13 years interest in the field.

[sreten]

Hi,

Mostly self taught. The "audio electronics" side of my Electronic +
Electrical Engineering degree was pitiful. Good books are essential.

I started off with the Art of Electronics - Horowitz and Hill.

A free circuit simulator is an excellent idea, try Tina TI, very easy.

Articles / books by Nelson Pass, John Lindsey Hood, Douglas Self
I've found very useful for transistor audio electronics, I've never
really conquered the valve thingies.

Also take a look at Elliot Sound Products - lots of articles.

I suppose to teach yourself you have to be very interested in Audio.
Loudspeaker design is my thing, takes years to pick it all up.

/sreten.

[ThorstenL]

Konnichiwa,

Originally posted by osu1177
Just a general question. How did you become involved in audio engineering and how did you become so knowledgeable? Did you teach yourself? Or take classes in college?

I am actually not all knowledgable. The staggering level of my ignorance amuses and appals me. In fact, after a degree in Electronics I actually knew less that was relevant to audio then before, but I had many prejudices and falsehoods which I am still excorcising from system decades later.

The combination of extensive and theory only highlight just much how much we truely do not know about audio. Of course, most people prefer false certainties over real uncertainties and prefer to place their stock in Gurus, Theories and allsorts of tests which nevertheless consistently fail to tell them one iota of usefull information as to how something may be made to sound good.

Sayonara

[classd4sure]

Well it helps if you're a DIYer at heart to begin with, then you're up to challenging yourself to do things better.

In audio you really have to develope an eye for differentiating real information based on solide engineering from snake oil based gimmicks, or you're just chasing your tail. Respectable Guru's are worth taking a cue from, but that should never replace thinking for yourself either, so keep an open mind to ideas that make sense, research and test them if you can, if you find fault in it, research how it can be done better and why, repeat.

If you go to school you'll probably just learn that you just have to teach yourself (those who can do...)but it's good to know some basics for sure.

Then it's a matter of how resourceful you are. Books, data sheets, white papers, AES write ups if you can find em, patents, thesis papers, forums such as this where you can have the unreal oppertunity to discuss, debate, and share ideas with not only other DIYers but some of the world's very best designers is simply a golden oppertunity, and there's no other forum like it!

The more you're able to match all that theory with practical experience through prototyping the more you're going to really learn.

Don't quit, be patient, it takes awhile, and is never ending.

[AndrewT]

Hi,
as with Sreten, even down to the same authors, all self taught (researched) except for a short course (one semester) electrical engineering as part of my civil engineering course.
We Civils used to do it all, until we delegated the specialist stuff out to the plebs

Finding an author that UNDERSTANDS his topic and has the ability to make it readable for all abilities/levels is not easy. JLHood & W Jung fall into my category 1 authors.

I have been dabbling for 37years and learning more now than during any previous period.

[MikeBettinger]

Originally posted by AndrewT

Finding an author that UNDERSTANDS his topic and has the ability to make it readable for all abilities/levels is not easy.

The same goes for teachers. Someone that really understands their subject (author/teacher) will be able to explain it clearly and in common terms. If you find yourself getting frustrated find another source. I have a collection of electronic handbooks and theory and somewhere between them there has always been a discription or comment that makes a subject understandable. Never in one book or through one author.

The best way to really learn is by repairing broken gear. Buy broken amps from e-bay, get a manual. There's nothing like troubleshooting (for example) a broken power amp circuit that draws the connection between theory and the real world.

Learn the basics and a healthy curiosity will help you to understand the big picture.

Mike

[tschrama]

www.sound.au.com started it all for me ... great website!

[AndrewT]

Hi Mike,
I have been a teacher for only eight years and I will be learning

to explain it clearly and in common terms

for the rest of my life.

[MikeBettinger]

Originally posted by AndrewT

I have been dabbling for 37years and learning more now than during any previous period.

Andrew,

I can relate to your comment. I've been involved in electronics as a hobby and as my work for pushing 40 years and it does feel like it's all coming together these past few years. I'm not sure if it's the access to information, or the experience that allows me to take an idea and have a working test circuit in no time, but I also feel like I'm learning a lot these days.

It all seems to fit together better than it did earlier on.

It's fun. Mike