How to get people into SDIY?

schmidtc · Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Boston

I'm starting up a small SDIY group here in Boston. There's a few people that have never touched a synth or a circuit before. I'm looking for some project ideas stuff that's easy, cool, dirt cheap, and has the instant gratification appeal. Ideas? Thanks!

Edit: Sorry, this totally belongs in the main DIY forum.

blue hell · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject: Re: How to get people into SDIY?

droffset · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:42 pm Post subject:

Hi Schmidtc, you might find these pages useful for building a small class around:

[url]
http://www.fluxmonkey.com/electronoize.htm[/url]

http://milkcrate.com.au/_other/sea-moss/

Good luck!

Uncle Krunkus · Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:17 pm Post subject:

Ray Wilson's WSG has been a classic starting point for heaps of people around here. You can even choose to build just the first half of it if you want to make it even simpler.
A simple fuzz pedal was the way I got started. There are dozens of different designs out there, most would be easily put on a small piece of stripboard.

schmidtc · Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Boston

Those are perfect. Thanks! I forgot how much stuff was in that little Handmade Electronic Music book.

fluxmonkey · Joined: Jun 24, 2005 Posts: 708 Location: cleve

the electronoize workshop series went very well, we had about a dozen folks go from 0 to successful builds in a matter of weeks.

i also did a 1-day version at a gallery last year... less satisfactory, in my mind: folks did in fact get something built, but i don't think they had enuf time to understand what they were doing.

the looney boards were a direct result of the experiences in those workshops, and are now shipping... they can be used to build most of the project from the playshop, and some more stuff from nic's book. if you want to do a bulk purchase drop me a line and we can work out a price.

b

Celtic Peasant · Joined: Dec 29, 2009 Posts: 44 Location: Alberta

The Voice Changer was a really cool first project for me - and fast!

http://celticpeasant.com/physical/voicebox/voicebox.html

The hardest part was drilling the darn holes - and it was only plastic!!!!!

Cheers,
Zoie

slo · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 7:59 am Post subject:

Fellow down in Austin is taking it to the masses with small kits and workshops, see the space rockers series.

http://ericarcher.net/devices/

George

schmidtc · Joined: May 16, 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Boston

Thanks everybody, that was really helpful. This is going to become a roughly bi-weekly meet up for any Boston locals interested.

Blog

Google Group

So far there's a pretty diverse range of interests, which is great. I'd be psyched for any suggestions people here have. Cheers.

nicolas3141 · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:54 am Post subject:

Hi

I have a similar small group that meets in Christchurch, New Zealand and we have based it around these circuits: http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-34550.html

Sort of classic modular type stuff, but simplified for stripboard construction by beginners. Along the lines of the MFOS SoundLab, but more modular. Great for learning about analog audio electronics while making bleepy type noises.

We have also built mixers, guitar distortion circuits, small LM386 based amps, and looked at contact mikes, custom cable making etc. Maybe sequencers and even some digital/midi in the future? I am going to try and get it all uploaded at some point.

The group dynamic is difficult sometimes because of the different levels people are at, but we incorporate social and musical aspects as well as soldering to help keep it fun.

Good luck,
Nicolas