Messages

Happy and Merry belated to all. 2025 was a total kick in the b@lls for me and the "fam"! Seems as though I've had a string of rough years. I'm not gonna hold my breath on 2026 being any better but...I'll try to keep my head up and work through it all. My recent moto has been "despite my best efforts I remain in business". It's been tough. But coming here always helps me "disconnect" and reset a bit.
Hope 2026 is better for everyone!
-Mike-

Sorry for being so negative.

Almost rolled my ankle running to "the gram" to follow! Your stuff is legendary to me and will support all I can. I am insanely jealous you're doing this (I simply don't have the time I used to). If you need any help or anything feel free to DM me! Congrats bud!!

-Mike-

I wouldn't have traded it for anything.

I'm feeling that. These hooligans are growing up too fast. Always happy to help them in the music department, but harder to get up and move. You can tell which is my favorite 

I was 38 when my twin boys were born. Now I'm 42 and FEELING IT! I'm also the stay at home parent so it's double pain. Love them more than life it's self tho! They don't leave me with any spare time but that will change
-Mike-

Just saw this on Instagram! Way to go Brian!!!

Great build! Love how clean it looks!!

-Mike-

I'll interject since it has been part of the discussion in the thread.

Obviously, the forum has taken a major downturn and that is 100% my fault. It's clear I'm not putting in the work on mbp right now. I've reached a stage of burnout that I just can't seem to recover from. Sixteen years of working solo on a singular "project" has taken a toll and I don't know how to get back on the right side of things. An extended sabbatical would probably be the right thing but I think that would end up pushing mbp further into irrelevancy (in terms of my colleagues and "competitors").

So, I've just been plodding along hoping the stars will align again.

Hey bud, I was in no way trying to call you out or put you on the spot. Sorry if it seemed like that. I hope you know that. Thanks for all that you do and have done for me personally and for the community. Also please DM me your address. I'd still like to send you those ICs. Thanks again
-Mike-

So the "outlaws" are in town for the next few weeks, they're snow birds, and I've been thinking...it's time. I'm gonna have my father in-law help me dig out the electronics storage. You guys may see some stuff go into the BST section so keep your eyes peeled!!

PS Brian, I know I owe you a 3080 IC. I haven't forgotten. I'll DM you for an address.

I wonder if you can find a serving tray from a thrift shop, something wooden or whatever, and get a cheap as chips soldering mat to line the bottom with. Easy to carry it around, I imagine.

You cannot view this attachment.

That's a good idea! Plus it will help keep things contained. I have to look around for one. Thanks bud!

Hey all,
So I no longer have a dedicated workshop. This is due to the plumbing event a few years back that claimed 90% of my inventory, parts, and gear. So I was thinking of making a sort of "mobile" work station. This way I can setup and breakdown fairly quickly on the dining table or somewhere else in the house. I have some stuff in cases and most of the resistors and diodes in binders with card sleeves. I was also thinking of picking up one of those craftsman trade stacks to store it all in...or at lease most of it. I work at Lowe's and get a little discount on it I may even lean towards one of the Klein Tools ones IDK. It seems like a good way to keep most likely f it contained and portable. You guys have any ideas? Just wondering.
I will most likely keep this going with the development as it progresses. Thanks!
-Mike-

CE Distribution has them for just under a buck a piece.

https://www.cedist.com/products/jack-stereo-pc-mount-low-profile

Not swell in, just "turn on" when a loud enough threshold up front is met (perhaps by an overdrive or fuzz or similar)

Could you do this with an LDR? For example once the input signal drives the LED bright enough the resistor would then switch the verb on or open up another channel for the signal to them pass through? Just a thought. I also have been out of the game a while and the cobwebs in my brain are still pretty thick.

Hey all,
Just wanted to put my 2 cents in for Zelda : Breath Of The Wild. I just finished the mail quest of defeating Calamity Gannon. It was a beautiful game and loads of fun. The game play was fantastic and I loved the newer story line. It was challenging enough for a casual gamer like my self but, also kept me wanting to come back to it. The one thing I did find a bit tedious was having to constantly cook food. Other than that it was great. Im not sure if I'm gonna play tears on the kingdom but BOTW was amazing.

I found my old MacBook with all my old board files and works in progress yesterday. I'll have to see if it will fire up. That's a step in the right direction.

Also nice to see / talk to all you fine folks again. Missed this place.
-Mike-

I just started messing with EasyEDA to do schematics and PCB layouts. Interestingly enough, the first pcb I am awaiting to have printed is a modded shoegazer. I built my first one years ago on one of your PCBs. Hope you can find some enjoyment in the hobby again!

This is inspiring! Thanks for the props. I loved doing that PCB and that too was my first PCB design. I'll have to check out easyeda. That sounds interesting. I can't wait to see how your board comes out!

I can't play guitar too much anymore. I have pretty bad arthritis in my left hand. That was another reason I kind of stepped back from the hobby. I do still have a squire strat around the house and a headphone amp so I can test my progress a little. I'm mainly just going to do it for the building aspect, haha. It will be slow going but maybe I'll build some strength in ole lefty over time. Lolz.

-Mike-

Thanks guys! I remember that Stopmboxparts was just starting to ramp up when I ducked out. Glad to see they are still kicking. I'll have to check out their site when I need some stuff. Lawrence (BLMS) and I have kept in touch and I am still a huge supporter of what he does and has done for the DIY community. And Brian is my hero for keeping this forum going for so long.

Another question (or couple of I may) since Eagle has moved to subscription based software what do you all use for PCB design? What is the learning curve like? It may be a while before I get to designing again, if ever really...just wondering. Thanks again!
-Mike-