How to build pre-amps, tone controls, ring modulators, mixers, and many other inexpensive electronic accessories. Written in simple language, with hundreds of clear illustrations and step-by-step instructions.
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33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book was first published in 1975, I believe. I purchased it in the 1980s. At the time, it was the only authoritative book on the subject of building your own effects. Finding schematics and parts was, to say the least, difficult. Rackmount processors were just beginning to dominate the marketplace. Craig Anderton emphasized low noise in designing the circuits and the projects represented the state of the art, but they might be somewhat noisy by today's standards (they are still fairly quiet, though).
In this modern age, schematics, parts, and tips on building your own projects are just a mouse click away. For the amount of money it would cost to build the projects in this book, one could buy a multieffects box that is, arguably, more versatile with better fidelity.
However, EPFM is far from obsolete, especially in an era where analog effects are (thankfully) becoming all the rage again. The book might benefit from a revision that addresses the increased resources available via the internet and, if feasible, circuit design modifications which reflect any technological advancement in noise reduction.
Nonetheless, EPFM is still the standard for entering into the field of audio electronics. That is no accident. Some reviewers lament the book is not very in-depth and does little more than teach you to solder. Craig Anderton makes no secret of the fact that his objective is to whet your appetite and give you the opportunity to create some usable effects as effortlessly as possible.
He succeeds. The accompanying CD reveals that these are all wonderful sounding effects. The ring modulator is my personal favorite and the phaser sounds as good as any on the market. Be aware you will need to study further if you want to delve deeply into the field of audio electronics. This book has an entire chapter devoted to pointing you in the proper direction.
In the forward to EPFM, guitarist Joe Walsh writes "I couldn't think of a better place to begin than right where you are." Thirty years later, this statement holds true.
In this modern age, schematics, parts, and tips on building your own projects are just a mouse click away. For the amount of money it would cost to build the projects in this book, one could buy a multieffects box that is, arguably, more versatile with better fidelity.
However, EPFM is far from obsolete, especially in an era where analog effects are (thankfully) becoming all the rage again. The book might benefit from a revision that addresses the increased resources available via the internet and, if feasible, circuit design modifications which reflect any technological advancement in noise reduction.
Nonetheless, EPFM is still the standard for entering into the field of audio electronics. That is no accident. Some reviewers lament the book is not very in-depth and does little more than teach you to solder. Craig Anderton makes no secret of the fact that his objective is to whet your appetite and give you the opportunity to create some usable effects as effortlessly as possible.
He succeeds. The accompanying CD reveals that these are all wonderful sounding effects. The ring modulator is my personal favorite and the phaser sounds as good as any on the market. Be aware you will need to study further if you want to delve deeply into the field of audio electronics. This book has an entire chapter devoted to pointing you in the proper direction.
In the forward to EPFM, guitarist Joe Walsh writes "I couldn't think of a better place to begin than right where you are." Thirty years later, this statement holds true.
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Hotrodimus
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Electronic Projects for Musicians" is a classic, but the book is so hopelessly dated at this point that a major revision of the text is in order. To begin with, none of the IC's that the projects are built around still exist - they've been discontinued and there are significantly better chips available, but figuring out the appropriate substitutions for these can be incredibly difficult. Several of the designs could easily be redone from scratch in more efficient and better configurations...I still don't understand why Anderton goes with a two-9V configuration for powering everything, when that's a design decision that you simply never see anywhere else.
Still, the initial several chapters are timeless and contain great info for newcomers about basic concepts of building, soldering, wiring, packaging, etc. The book is almost worth it for those chapters alone. Sadly, the actual projects are unbuildable in 2008, and the book is frankly outclassed by so many books that have been written since. With the popularity of "Make" magazine and this new generation of DIY'ers, a major overhaul, re-write, and update of the book would be outstanding.
Still, the initial several chapters are timeless and contain great info for newcomers about basic concepts of building, soldering, wiring, packaging, etc. The book is almost worth it for those chapters alone. Sadly, the actual projects are unbuildable in 2008, and the book is frankly outclassed by so many books that have been written since. With the popularity of "Make" magazine and this new generation of DIY'ers, a major overhaul, re-write, and update of the book would be outstanding.
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This outstanding book presents a number of useful circuits for shaping the sound of electric instruments. Starting with small projects and presenting gradually more difficult jobs, the author takes the reader by the hand and makes easy the whole process of building a "stomp box." You can save money, or create a more powerful tool than is commercially available, or sometimes even both. Best book of its kind. No electronics knowledge necessary to begin - but you will have some when you're done!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Craig Anderton's Best
Its good book with so good project and ideas to best our guitarist sound,and give us a coupling of guitar effects and tricks.
Published 1 month ago by Pedro Henrique Silva De Deus
5.0 out of 5 stars
NOT obsolete!
If you notice some of the part numbers in the book are old numbers. However these can easily be substituted, look it up in the NTE cross reference guide. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Michael Friedlander
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT book for beginner and intermediate audio electronics.
I lost my old copy and had to buy a new one, if you are interested in DIY audio electronics this is a MUST HAVE! Read more
Published 16 months ago by Dr Spaceman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book
Very detailed book, beginner to intermediates can both benefit from it. It gives detailed lists of parts and procedures. The transaction went smooth and delivery was very fast.
Published 20 months ago by L. Brown
3.0 out of 5 stars
Worth it
Ive just recently got into DIY guitar effects and read all different sorts of reviews by people about this book. Read more
Published on July 20, 2010 by Cilikis Progressio Project
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Thee Book!"
The best book on guitar stomp boxes ever,good luck finding parts now,P.A.I.A still sells his boards and parts but not all.
Published on March 6, 2010 by JB
1.0 out of 5 stars
Pass on this one
I picked up a copy of this book to get some creative ideas in my project studio, but this book is clearly for the do-it-yourself hobbyist who might have an interest in music, not... Read more
Published on December 7, 2009 by Harmony and Melody
5.0 out of 5 stars
electronic projects
Wonderful book! I built about half the projects 25 years ago, and I am so glad it is still in print. Read more
Published on August 15, 2009 by Christopher D. Perrin
4.0 out of 5 stars
know what your looking at
i'm in the electronics field but this book is still nice to have around for quick reference, also has some pedal mods in it to
Published on March 17, 2009 by J. Pluta
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thirty years old, but still the best ANALOG guitar electronics book
I've had my copy for many, many years and have built many of the projects in the book, or ones similar to them. Read more
Published on December 17, 2008 by Michael A. Duvernois
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