Searching for a mentor

[TomJS]

Hey everyone,

I am still quite new to electronic's but I really want to learn how audio works but I must say that I haven't gotten that far yet by just watching youtube videos. I really want to learn it since I want to be able to repair and build amplifiers and maybe even repair and modify mixers since I'm trying to become a sound engineer. So my question to you guys is, is there anyone willing to be a mentor to me? Preferably someone in the EU since then the timezone's won't be a problem. I'm currently 16 so I do still have to go to school. Also it would help a lot if the person would have skype or discord or any other type of voice communication since then I can ask my dumb questions directly. I get that this is not for everyone and maybe not even anyone but I would really appreciate it!

Thanks and regards,

Tom

[pompeiisneaks]

I definitely am too far away, but this is really the right way to go about it. Hopefully someone can help. Learning from someone's direct experience is almost always the best imo. OJT, On the Job Training.

~Phil

[martin manning]

Tom, there is a lot of fantastic stuff on You Tube, but don't overlook "print" sites offering basic electronics info. Here's a good one: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws

Learning this stuff is a never-ending process that begins with understanding the basics and continuously building on them. Start by getting a good grasp of DC circuits, and go where your interest takes you. When you encounter a concept you don't understand, go find some material that covers that piece. You can certainly ask questions here too.

[Tony Bones]

As Martin said, don't ignore printed material. You can spend years reading the stuff at http://www.tubebooks.org/ Thanks Pete Millett!) I first learned how vacuum tubes worked by reading the first 100 pages or so in an early 60's RCA Receiving Tube Manual.

And, don't be afraid to ask questions here at TAG.

[TomJS]

Thanks for the tip about the reading material, I will definitely use it! But if there is anyone available I'd really like to ask questions and talk about some stuff trough voice chat too!

[norburybrook]

Tom,

I think 'modern/current' equipment used in the live sound field is pretty much non repairable albeit for replacing a board here or there as everything is now digital.

I've learned how to make tube amps from being an active member here over the last 4 or 5 years but that knowledge and skillset ends with modern class D/digital equipment.


I've no idea what a current 'electronics' course would mean


as already pointed out learn the basics from you tube/books etc there's more imformation easily available now than ever before. I've learned so much from you tube, there;s some great people out there sharing their knowlege.


I'd certainly learn how to solder, get an iron and make some cables, that's a skill that will always be useful on the road/live and I've found power supplies in all kinds of things are usually the first things to go so being able to solder in a new capacitor can be a cheap fix. IN the last few years I've saved my Washing machine, a Samsung computer monitor and the pump on my cenrtal heating boiler just by replacing worn out electrolytic capacitors

I have a very busy life so don't have the time I'm afraid and more importantly I don't have a good enough knowledge to be a good teacher I this subject but I'm sure if you're really interested you'll find a way to reach your goals one way or another.


good luck and welcome to the forum.


Marcus

[strelok]

You might also find this helpful:

https://masteryourtest.com/study/

Here's some relevant youtube channels that I subscribe to you may find helpful, some technical, some just about general music/recording:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU9SoQ ... _3GxeteQPA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0N5b ... UrhCEo8WlA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0IY1B ... vezqWLyk4g
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuR4hQ ... ozLxwPzEjQ
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMh66L ... BpN2N5RZuA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJquYO ... KTfH9aMA9Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaStg ... 1PgH8bUkzg

Also throwing in This Old Tony, his videos are centered around machining and metal work, some of which might be helpful if you decided to make your own chassis. But I mainly linked him because he gives a lot of insight into what goes into making and manufacturing things in general. Also he's ridiculously entertaining, even if the subject matter isn't really your thing.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5NO8M ... Xp6z8Xl7yQ

[pompeiisneaks]

You might also find this helpful:

https://masteryourtest.com/study/

Here's some relevant youtube channels that I subscribe to you may find helpful, some technical, some just about general music/recording:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU9SoQ ... _3GxeteQPA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0N5b ... UrhCEo8WlA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0IY1B ... vezqWLyk4g
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuR4hQ ... ozLxwPzEjQ
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMh66L ... BpN2N5RZuA
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJquYO ... KTfH9aMA9Q
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyaStg ... 1PgH8bUkzg

Also throwing in This Old Tony, his videos are centered around machining and metal work, some of which might be helpful if you decided to make your own chassis. But I mainly linked him because he gives a lot of insight into what goes into making and manufacturing things in general. Also he's ridiculously entertaining, even if the subject matter isn't really your thing.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5NO8M ... Xp6z8Xl7yQ

Great list, I'll add another of my favorites, it's about machining mostly but some electronics as well, AvE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChWv6P ... 6lgGt3MyfA

his stuff is downright hilarious. A crazy canuck from just up north of me in BC.

~Phil