October 2025

Techno Talk

Max the Magnificent explores the many twists and turns of the evolution of music technology, from tin-foil cylinders to MP3s, taking in recording wire along the way.

Seaside Sound Simulator

This constructional project was designed to generate the sound of seaside surf. These relaxing “waveforms” are produced electronically with a view to helping with relaxation or improving sleep patterns. It has a built-in amplifier along with a Line Out socket to feed into an external amplifier. To complete the picture, the circuit is built on a surfboard-shaped printed circuit board.

Audio Out
Three discrete class-A buffer amplifiers

Our analog audio specialist describes three audio modules built to meet a variety of applications. There’s a Dual JFET buffer, a high-spec MOSFET buffer and a Dual MOSFET buffer to choose from. The functions of all designs are described at component level by our expert.

Precision Electronics
Part 9: System Design

In this last article in the series, we investigate the design of a precision electronics system from the “big picture” system design perspective, bringing the previous instalments of the series together.

Compact Hi-Fi Headphone Amp (Part 2)

Our new Stereo Headphone amplifier fits into a neat package and has two sets of inputs with individual volume controls. Last month we described the circuitry and operation, and in Part Two this month we analyse the PCB design and constraints before getting into the construction and testing.

Max’s Cool Beans
Weird & Wonderful Arduino Projects
Part 10:  A Reaction Timer

More of Max’s musings opined with Arduino users in mind, as Max proceeds further with developing the software and hardware for a reaction tester. The merits of Boolean algebra are taken in along the way.

The Fox Report

Barry grapples with a well-known UK retailer that re-defined the meaning of “free software” when buying a laptop, and cautions about using FlyBy (now called Flyoobe) when upgrading from Windows 10 to W11, overcoming TPM hurdles at the same time.

Electric & Bass Guitar Pickguards

A fabulous project for electric guitarists, these updates offer more advanced features and a cool aesthetic. They suit many popular models of electric bass as well as the Fender Telecaster electric guitar. Detailed descriptions or circuitry and layouts are included – if you want to upgrade your guitar, this project is for you.

Circuit Surgery

Our in-house ‘surgeon’ commences a new topic, measuring the frequency response of a circuit or device using a PC sound card. Part 1 commences with frequency response concepts.

3D Printer Filament Drying Chamber

We offer details of an enclosure that can store up to four 1kg reels of filament, keeping them dry and ready to use at any time. You can even feed them straight into your printer. This can be especially beneficial when using PLA and nylon, which, being hygroscopic, can draw in moisture and affect print quality.

The project offers two approaches to construction (a self-built wooden cabinet and an adapted plastic storage box) and the safety risks and implications are very clearly spelled out. PIC microcontroller based circuit.

Feature Article: Nikola Tesla
The original ‘mad scientist’

Part 1 of an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable account of one of the world’s most prolific electrical inventors, many of whose discoveries are still with us to this day. The article includes fascinating contemporary images and diagrams of his experiments. Don’t miss this superb tribute to the fascinating world of Nikola Tesla.

Next month

Digital Capacitance Meter, Capacitor Discharger; Advanced Variable Speed Drive