Where to go next? Wanting to expand my knowledge

[phi1]

In my first few years, I included some type of mod on the original circuit (extra switch, knob, change clipping diodes, etc) on every single pedal I built. That's a way to learn a bit at a time as you go.

The Electrosmash Tube Screamer article was very helpful for me. The non-inverting op amp block comes up so frequently, often with bass cut, so it's helpful to be really familiar with that.

 

[pricklyrobot]

Once you've consumed enough schematics to start recognizing patterns and common circuit blocks…

This is something that hasn’t totally happened for me just from looking at regular schematics.

I definitely prefer the Electrosmash style ones with the different circuit chunks marked out:


Wish there was a big repository of those somewhere.

 

[Cybercow]

I've been slowly learning how to build pedals by doing the clones here from PedalPCB, reading though a bunch of threads and trying to get my soldering and wiring skills down as good as possible. I've gotten 5 builds done and they've all worked perfectly right away, except one which I quickly realized I put a transistor in backwards!

I've been slowly teaching myself about each of the components and what they actually "do" to the sound/circuit but want to go deeper to fully understand pedals and gear like this. I probably would be totally lost in troubleshooting and tracking down issues on my own so I know I need to learn that skill alot more.

My question is: Where do I go from here? What resources should I start looking into? How do I push myself to get more efficient and learn more about pedal building?
My end goal: Design my own pedal circuits eventually.

IMO, building any pedal from a PCB with a build document or even building vero/stripboard circuit projects are little more than painting by numbers. Little understanding of "electronics" is required and only needs to know bit about the various components and how to source them.

So, to "expand your knowledge" we would need to know at what level you're at with a fundamental understanding of electronics. Especially when it comes to designing your own pedal circuits. That will give us a better idea of where you're at, electronically speaking. But for the most part, reading books on 'basic electronics', 'power supplies', 'audio circuits', 'opamps', and a whole assortment of electronic "Cookbooks" is a good place to continue your sojourn.

 

[swelchy]

I'm surely disappointed..... Out of all the people here behaving and giving decent advice and not one of us smartasses are telling you where to really go....