[salmo]

I regretted never learning to play an instrument beyond the basics and I didn’t really understand analog electronics beyond the simple stuff.

So I’ve gotten into guitar and guitar pedal circuits. It’s cool because they reinforce each other.

I started just copying schematics and they give me new sounds which makes me enjoy practicing more. I develop better technique which makes new circuits useful.

In both I’m making breakthroughs going from copying to creating my own from the building blocks I learn.

My plan is to keep digging into this. I’m finally understanding the math behind small signals and developing the finger dexterity and muscle memory to be able to dig more into music theory.

As I get older, I still like “thinking” hobbies. But having them outside of computers has helped my burnout.

Also I figured out that I can’t beat myself up for not “finishing.” I finish at work. My hobbies should be a way to avoid stress and not add to it. Dreaming and moving on are OK. These have been fun because there’s no finish line. It’s just habit and repetition.

[sprkwd]

Now I’m basically doing this as well: music and audio electronics.

Although I have learned to play a musical instrument I’ve been somewhat fallow with it and so 2023 will be a more rigorous practice and exploring and playing with home made pedals and noisemakers.

[salmo]

That’s awesome! I’m not totally weird! :)

But, yeah, the practice thing has been so important. It’s a habit as much as a hobby now.

The music is better understood, and I just shoot for at least 10 mins a day. Usually do longer, sometimes miss days.

For the electronics I do a few things: collect and study schematics, draw and study circuits in LTSpice, and breadboard.

When I have something I like, I’ll do it in perfboard. I also design them in KiCAD, but haven’t ordered PCBs for a pedal yet.

Oh, this gadget is super handy for breadboarding: https://www.arcadiaelectronics.com/product-page/breadboard-p...

It’s so nice to get rid of the repetitive stuff. Saw it on a Wampler video, zoomed in and bought. Wish the alternate power was 4.5V vs 5V to avoid having to cookie cutter the voltage divider but whatever.