Author Topic: Little music station (Read 12370 times)

Gino · « **Reply #30 on:** Aug 24, 2013 at 12:20 PM »

Don't forget to buy a solder sucking tool and some copper braided wick to clean up.

balarila · « **Reply #31 on:** Aug 24, 2013 at 06:08 PM »

Quote from: HasBro on Aug 24, 2013 at 09:13 AM

you already have a blister bro.

Quote from: HasBro on Aug 24, 2013 at 09:13 AM

you already have a blister bro.

He-he. Kita pala.

I was also learning how to do welding; constructing brackets for my wood stash. One big lesson: Don't hold your material immediately after welding!

balarila · « **Reply #32 on:** Aug 24, 2013 at 06:10 PM »

Thanks, everyone, for all the info and encouragement. Will post my progress soon.

balarila · « **Reply #33 on:** Aug 25, 2013 at 04:59 AM »

Quick question on those Alp pots. Is "Alp" short for "Alpine" or "Alpha" or is "Alp" really the brand?

Nelson de Leon · « **Reply #34 on:** Aug 25, 2013 at 02:58 PM »

Alps lang sir.

http://www.alps.com/

JojoD818 · « **Reply #35 on:** Aug 25, 2013 at 06:39 PM »

Quote from: balarila on Aug 25, 2013 at 04:59 AM

Quick question on those Alp pots. Is "Alp" short for "Alpine" or "Alpha" or is "Alp" really the brand?

Alps is different from Alpine and Alpha. I'm not sure about the brand Alpine as I haven't encountered one but ALPS (not Alp) and Alpha are pot brands.

Since no one has mentioned it, it would be a jolly upgrade if you are to change that volume control into a logarithmic type instead of a linear one. The tone controls on the other hand need to be linear types. If you don't know what these are, Google. If you are still at a loss, then just replace the original ones with what is used originally.

Cheers

balarila · « **Reply #36 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 09:38 AM »

Quote from: JojoD818 on Aug 25, 2013 at 06:39 PM

Alps is different from Alpine and Alpha. I'm not sure about the brand Alpine as I haven't encountered one but ALPS (not Alp) and Alpha are pot brands.

Since no one has mentioned it, it would be a jolly upgrade if you are to change that volume control into a logarithmic type instead of a linear one. The tone controls on the other hand need to be linear types. If you don't know what these are, Google. If you are still at a loss, then just replace the original ones with what is used originally.

Cheers

Thanks, Jojo. Yes, I know log. IIRC, the human hearing's sensitivity is logarithmic so it would make sense that the volume knob's rotation gives you a proportionate perceived loudness; i.e 12 o'clock should be twice as loud as 9 o' clock.

On the tone controls, I'm surprised that the standard is linear. I recall that the frequency on a musical scale is also logarithmic. The middle on the piano C is half the frequency of the C that is one octave higher. One octave lower is half the frequency. Since tone controls actually modify amplitude of the high (treble) and low (bass) frequency, I'd have assumed they'd be logarithmic, too.

Ahh, but I am speaking purely from theory. I guess real-world practice is the best judge.

balarila · « **Reply #37 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 09:55 AM »

Did some work on the amp casing. Had to do this while metalworking on my garage brackets para may "cover".

That's the amp casing. Wala pa yung case for the transformer at the top.

BTW, that table is the hall table I built on which it will sit on.

It's now aged with potassium dichromate then wiped on with green oil color to improve grain contrast. That's called the Greene & Greene finish, invented by the furniture company of the same name. I then wiped on oil on top of it. After some more oil, will wax.

JojoD818 · « **Reply #38 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 10:43 AM »

Quote from: balarila on Aug 26, 2013 at 09:38 AM

Thanks, Jojo. Yes, I know log. IIRC, the human hearing's sensitivity is logarithmic so it would make sense that the volume knob's rotation gives you a proportionate perceived loudness; i.e 12 o'clock should be twice as loud as 9 o' clock.

On the tone controls, I'm surprised that the standard is linear. I recall that the frequency on a musical scale is also logarithmic. The middle on the piano C is half the frequency of the C that is one octave higher. One octave lower is half the frequency. Since tone controls actually modify amplitude of the high (treble) and low (bass) frequency, I'd have assumed they'd be logarithmic, too.

Ahh, but I am speaking purely from theory. I guess real-world practice is the best judge.

Too much theory and you'd grow roots...

No, tone controls now use linear pots. They're linear because of their design. Early tone controls are merely RC filters whilst the Baxandall standard used now is still a bunch of RC filters, it has NFB. Another reason for going linear in tone controls is for easy grading, you want to divide the 300 degree turn of a pot equally to have a more meaningful control rather than follow the human ear's logarithmic response.

Btw, you're also very good at doing wood, something I only dream about doing. Cheers

Gino · « **Reply #39 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 12:32 PM »

You will eventually tune and set volume by ear. No math and physics will give you a setting that will sound exactly right to the listener. I wouldn't lose sleep over that. What is important to me is to have enough range to correct anomalies and to set the volume for my listening needs.

ndotcom · « **Reply #40 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 12:42 PM »

Ganda na nung mga wood sir, looking forward sa amp case. Keep them coming...

Gino · « **Reply #41 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 01:17 PM »

Agree ako diyan. The case is going very well. Adds personal value to this amp.

Nelson de Leon · « **Reply #42 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 01:22 PM »

I think you can still keep the old case. If i case you plan to sell your Sakura, pwede mong hindi isama ang DIY case mo. I think may bibili ng DIY case mo kasi madami din atang naka-Sakura dito.

Gino · « **Reply #43 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 07:15 PM »

You will now have two cases. A custom wooden case and a just in case.

balarila · « **Reply #44 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 07:33 PM »

He-he.

The wooden case is meant to wrap around the old case. I will just remove the fake wood (MDF) parts which are the side panels and the transformer box. I like the reflective top so I'll keep that.

BTW, went to Deeco this morning. They don't have good pots, just the same cheap one I broke so I just got one of those just in case I can' find a better one. Twenty pesos!

Also got a soldering iron, multimeter, some lead, and that thing with a spring that magically sucks molten lead. Anyone know where I can get some Alps? I need 1 logarithmic and two linear, all 50kOhms. I live in Antipolo and work in QC so somewhere in that area would be best for me. I won't have time to go all the way to Raon.

AppleMan · « **Reply #45 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 08:14 PM »

^_Just try ALEXAN in MEGAMALL....

Gino · « **Reply #46 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 09:32 PM »

No time, buy online. Snail mail is cheapest. It should take 3 -4 weeks.

balarila · « **Reply #47 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 09:52 PM »

Quote from: Gino on Aug 26, 2013 at 09:32 PM

No time, buy online. Snail mail is cheapest. It should take 3 -4 weeks.

I'd appreciate if you can point me to the site. Thanks.

JojoD818 · « **Reply #48 on:** Aug 26, 2013 at 11:12 PM »

Quote from: Gino on Aug 26, 2013 at 12:32 PM

You will eventually tune and set volume by ear. No math and physics will give you a setting that will sound exactly right to the listener. I wouldn't lose sleep over that. What is important to me is to have enough range to correct anomalies and to set the volume for my listening needs.

That is the very reason why the log taper was invented. To have enough control and be able to set the volume for an average person's listening needs. Math and Physics has nothing to do with it, it's human nature or shall we say, the nature of a human's ear.

dong · « **Reply #49 on:** Aug 27, 2013 at 12:22 AM »

Quote from: Gino on Aug 26, 2013 at 12:32 PM

You will eventually tune and set volume by ear. No math and physics will give you a setting that will sound exactly right to the listener.

+ 1

balarila · « **Reply #50 on:** Aug 30, 2013 at 06:44 AM »

Quote from: china-man on Aug 26, 2013 at 08:14 PM

^_Just try ALEXAN in MEGAMALL....

Called up Alexan. They say they also have the generic type. I'd assume same as Deeco's.

kimmy_kimmy · « **Reply #51 on:** Aug 30, 2013 at 09:16 AM »

you can try calling andrew sevilla of amx

http://www.amxtubeaudio.com/products.html

shrek7 · « **Reply #52 on:** Aug 30, 2013 at 09:39 AM »

Quote from: balarila on Aug 26, 2013 at 09:55 AM

Did some work on the amp casing. Had to do this while metalworking on my garage brackets para may "cover".

That's the amp casing. Wala pa yung case for the transformer at the top.

BTW, that table is the hall table I built on which it will sit on.

It's now aged with potassium dichromate then wiped on with green oil color to improve grain contrast. That's called the Greene & Greene finish, invented by the furniture company of the same name. I then wiped on oil on top of it. After some more oil, will wax.

ang ganda ng table. . . Very nice workmanship!!! Drool. . .

balarila · « **Reply #53 on:** Sep 01, 2013 at 07:43 PM »

Thanks, Shrek.

BTW, had to trash that mahogany case for my Sakura. I had improperly clamped it so, as the glue was drying, the wood shifted. Re-did a new one. Will post pics tomorrow.

Gino · « **Reply #54 on:** Sep 01, 2013 at 08:26 PM »

Bummer. It's like driving down to Subic and realizing you left the house keys in Manila.

Nelson de Leon · « **Reply #55 on:** Sep 01, 2013 at 08:44 PM »

How did you connect your iPod to Sakura amp? Via headphone jack or LOD?

balarila · « **Reply #56 on:** Sep 02, 2013 at 07:06 AM »

Got a Maxell dock from Sulit. It allows direct audio connection and also acts as a charging station. Comes with various adaptors for different kinds of ipods, too.

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The twist in the old amp case was not really that perceptible. And I could make do with it. But, as many a craftsman would say: It just takes a few hours/days to correct a mistake, but it takes forever to live with it.

So went to my old stash of good wood (salvaged from house-demolition dealers) and got a plank of what-they-call "Tiger Molave" and went to work.

Here it is so far (sorry for the grainy early dawn photo):

That's the case for both the body and the transformer. Will be working on it at nights so I hope to finish by end-week.

tagilid · « **Reply #57 on:** Sep 02, 2013 at 09:56 PM »

can't wait to see the whole finish product including stand and console table, keep it coming sir..

balarila · « **Reply #58 on:** Sep 03, 2013 at 08:16 AM »

Slow going. I'm used to building big things. Doing this amp case is so mabusisi pala and parts are small I usually end up doing manual back saw.

Was sanding last night and when I clamped it down on my workbench, applied too much pressure I snapped one member. Had to reglue. Also added some cosmetic stuff:

That transformer box has grooves on the columns and base so I can insert some clear plastic panes. Hope I can find some.

Gino · « **Reply #59 on:** Sep 03, 2013 at 08:23 AM »

It's looking really good. It must also feel great waiting to get home to resume your built. Much skipped meals I can imagine. DIY to me is Zen.