[jnovek]

Part of my problem is definitely understanding some aspects of these circuits on a deeper level.

I haven't done any MFOS builds but I have done a few "cores" to various synth modules (Moritz Klein's youtube is great for this) on the breadboard -- most successful was a square wave oscillator based on a schmitt trigger -- but often I'm overwhelmed by the supporting circuitry which is sometimes more complicated than the core.

For example: I cannot get my head around the design of an exponential converter.

I have trouble understainding the feedback loop between the two transistors. Ignoring that, even, as far as I can tell it creates an exponential relationship between voltage and current. However, my schmitt trigger is voltage-controlled, so don't I need a transimpedence amplifier of some sort to get back to voltage? But I can't see anything that looks transimpedence amplifier in the diagram...

I constantly feel like I have about 1/3 of the knowledge I need to proceed.

Perhaps I just need to accept certain things are outside of my understanding right now?

[abrugsch]

TBH I didn't understand any of the concepts you mentioned, and that's with background knowledge. So I'd say you're definitely talking about way beyond the basics concepts that understanding of will only come after learning the basics and then targeting your learning at synth specific designs, which will take a lot more time and discipline than a HN post can cover. I don't have that knowledge or resources to point to unfortunately (any any book covering the topic is likely 2" thick in dead tree format...)

[jnovek]

I feel like, as far as general electronics goes, I have the absolute basics. I understand basic components and circuits 101 stuff like voltage dividers and filters.

I have trouble with:

  - Putting all the concepts together to understand larger circuits

  - Concepts that are hard to visualize, like feedback

  - Recognizing circuits from the diagram on the PCB

Maybe I just need more practice?

Thanks for talking through this with me. :-)

[abrugsch]

this might help with the visualization aspect https://www.falstad.com/circuit/