Another Noob here.

[Raz1r]

I've just got into the bending scene, and I picked my first project.

I wanna make a LSDJ pitch control box.

The only problem I've really run into is the parts list. I don't know what to get!

Here's what I don't understand:

I have a 555CN (It says NE555P on the chip itself though, what is the difference between 555 timers?)

I saw a few different Resistors with the same values. It said that the watts were different on them. Which do I choose?

The same with capacitors, which is the right one?

And how do I ground something? I used to think it was just making something touch a metal source, but I'm not perfectly sure. The project box I bought came with a metal plate, is that what it's for?


Sorry for my noobishness, but I can't seem to find the Manual when people say "RTFM!".

[Joel]

Hi Raz1r,

looks like a good project! In answer to some of your questions (and I'm not pretending these are particularly detailed or complete answers, or that I can guarantee they are 100% accurate, but they should get you going....)

an NE555P sounds fine - just make sure you're using an 8 pin chip (looks like a stereotypical "microchip", will fit in a socket) as opposed to a surface mounted chip (much smaller legs)

Resistor wattages are not really important at this point - 1/4W will be fine - but obviously you wouldn't attach a 1/4W resistor to a mains power outlet!

Similarly, capacitors have an associated maximum voltage - eg 100uF 63V - but you should be fine as you're using gameboy-power... the difference you do want to look out for is whether a capacitor is electrolytic or not - ie has a positive and negative (marked on the casing) side - the circuit doesn't call for any of these so just use regular (ceramic etc) caps

In electrical safety terms grounding does mean touching an electrical surface but in electronic circuit terms ground means 0V - ie everything that is connected to ground is connected to pin 6 on the gameboy cable. If you were powering the circuit from a battery, ground would be the negative terminal.

Good luck, let us know how it goes! Joel

[Raz1r]

Thanks for the reply!

I've definitely got an 8-Pin chip, and I bought an IC socket for it too.

Do you by any chance have any links to docs where I could learn about circuits and how to read them? I'd much rather try to learn on my own than have to come here with trivial questions (to you guys). And all the stuff I find in searches are about home electrics- like fixing lamps and shit.

Where do you guys get your electronic stuff? Radioshack is damn expensive- and the guy didn't know what I was talking about either. He just said - "well the numbers are different".

[Joel]

I'd try looking through the DIY Synths section for answers to all of your questions!

I'm in the UK so don't know specific alternatives to radioshack, but there are definitely links in the diy area..... Joel