Anticipating good things
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Anticipating good things
How exciting,
I'm looking forward to seeing a good circuit board design that I would choose to use rather than implementing the design as PtoP or turret board construction. I have seen only bad designs apparently. I would like to build one of my designs as a CCB for A/B testing, so I need to soak up the knowledge that will populate this space. Or, in the short term, find a really good program that has the general approval of the circuit board mandarins here and runs on OSX.
I'm looking forward to seeing a good circuit board design that I would choose to use rather than implementing the design as PtoP or turret board construction. I have seen only bad designs apparently. I would like to build one of my designs as a CCB for A/B testing, so I need to soak up the knowledge that will populate this space. Or, in the short term, find a really good program that has the general approval of the circuit board mandarins here and runs on OSX.
Tube junkie that aspires to become a tri-state bidirectional buss driver.
Re: Anticipating good things
Lou! Can you post info about the precision PSU board you made? Or the Reverb board, or any other of your awesome projects?
I build and repair tube amps. http://amps.monkeymatic.com
Re: Anticipating good things
Lou makes great PCB's!
Re: Anticipating good things
Anyone here use KiCad, diptrace?
Re: Anticipating good things
It might be hard to get agreement, but it would be good if we could pick one (freeware) program and manufacturer to use so everyone could learn/work together?
Steve
Re: Anticipating good things
I am so glad to see a PCB section on this forum!!! I have been wanting to learn to design PCBs for preamps. I also think its great if we pick one program.
Cheers
Guy
Cheers
Guy
- chief mushroom cloud
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- Location: Peenemunde CA
Re: Anticipating good things/ dedicated software
I agree about using a single program.
My vote is for KiCad EDA.
Open source, multiplatform, powerful, in constant heavy development, very intuitive interface.
http://kicad-pcb.org/
Other than that, Autodesk Eagle. A lot of guys are using it (Bruce Egnater, Engl, AmPete, original Friedman files, etc). I have 7.7. (It is not my primary pcb design software, but I can use it and know it's shortcomings)
The free version gives you 2 layer and ~8in x12in (~240sq cm) board space, but only single page schematic (that is a serious shortcoming for an amp or serious pro audio design). For $100 a yr license, you get 4 layers and more sch sheets and bigger board area.
And it's multi platform.
https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/free-download
Any other suggestions?
My vote is for KiCad EDA.
Open source, multiplatform, powerful, in constant heavy development, very intuitive interface.
http://kicad-pcb.org/
Other than that, Autodesk Eagle. A lot of guys are using it (Bruce Egnater, Engl, AmPete, original Friedman files, etc). I have 7.7. (It is not my primary pcb design software, but I can use it and know it's shortcomings)
The free version gives you 2 layer and ~8in x12in (~240sq cm) board space, but only single page schematic (that is a serious shortcoming for an amp or serious pro audio design). For $100 a yr license, you get 4 layers and more sch sheets and bigger board area.
And it's multi platform.
https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/free-download
Any other suggestions?
Don't overthink it. Just drink it.
Re: Anticipating good things
Does multi platform mean it will run on Mac OS?
- chief mushroom cloud
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2005 5:42 pm
- Location: Peenemunde CA
Re: Anticipating good things
Yea. If we can help each other regardless of platform...there's considerably more knowledge to be gained....and designs can be efficiently passed around and reviewed/critiqued/berated/stolen/corrupted/bemused..../.../...
Don't overthink it. Just drink it.
Re: Anticipating good things
Cool... I don’t have a PC anymore. In fact I rarely use the Mac anymore either... mostly my iPhone.
Re: Anticipating good things
I don’t really know anything about PCB design, but I’ve always thought that the concept of miniaturizing the circuit was likely to be less then ideal for tube amp applications.
- pompeiisneaks
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2 others liked this
Re: Anticipating good things
PCB's aren't just for miniaturization, they can also just be easier to mass produce and so long as well designed, lead to faster production times.
~Phil
~Phil
tUber Nerd!
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Re: Anticipating good things
I have no vote on which platform. I have zero experience but I will download the agreed upon platform to have some fun and learn I have ordered a bunch of hoffmans relay and relay PS boards. those would be helpful in custom builds.
- pompeiisneaks
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Re: Anticipating good things
Yeah and imagine if you could build the entire thing with high quality traces, good signal separation and relays in line with the signal path on the board... makes everything easier
~Phil
~Phil
tUber Nerd!
Re: Anticipating good things
I downlaoded KiCad. I'm an idiot when it comes to learning new software but will give it a shot.
Deric®