You Can DIY! Clever Engineering

One of the problems when designing large audio devices, (e.g., mixing consoles) is the enormous amount of wiring that’s needed. In this article for audioXpress, Ethan Winer writes about the practical ways on how to deal with wiring techniques in order to reduce the amount needed for any given project by using rotary encoders, serial communications, and other clever solutions. This article was originally published in audioXpress, March 2021

Another great research article from Ethan Winer, where he designed a simple device that measures capacitor distortion using a USB sound card and free software to try and determine the importance of high-quality capacitors in the signal path. This article details the results of his tests with different capacitor types. This article was originally published in audioXpress, May 2020.

In this article for audioXpress, "Why Doesn’t My Stereo Sound Like a Live Concert?", Ethan Winer explains why acoustics matter and why the fidelity of your audio devices and speakers is not the reason your hi-fi doesn’t make your living room sound like you’re hearing a concert in a concert hall. This article was originally published in audioXpress, August 2019.

Now, what's a Null Tester? The Null Tester sends the same audio signal through two paths, then it electronically subtracts one signal from the other to obtain the difference. For years, many audiophiles and even some audio professionals have believed that signal wires can sound different. Obsessed with settling this dilemma, Winer designed a Null Tester device that compares any two signal wires and reveals their difference to a level below -110 dB. This article was originally published in audioXpress, June 2019.

When Ethan Winer found himself in need of an oscilloscope, he turned to the Internet for advice and ended up selecting LabNation’s SmartScope. Described by its makers as “the oscilloscope of the new generation” the device, originally funded by a Kickstarter campaign, is targeted at makers and hobbyists, as well as professional engineers. In his review, Winer explains why this digital oscilloscope, signal generator — analog and digital — and eight-channel logic analyzer from LabNation turned out to be perfect solution for his needs.

Ethan Winer explains how to "Build the Mojo Maestro," a simple device that allows "subtle distortion" or saturation from any recording or track. Just using two diodes and a few resistors, Winer designed this simple box using the free LTspice simulation software and only half a dozen parts. And the results can be heard on the audioXpress website, with Winer playing multiple instruments, with and without the "Mojo effect." This article was originally published in audioXpress, October 2017.

Following his original 2008 essay on sound pressure level (SPL) meters, in this article for audioXpress published in March 2015, Ethan Winer considers some practical applications for a basic SPL meter, such as calibrating loudspeaker levels and measuring room acoustics, using a simple Galaxy Audio CM-130 SPL Meter as an example. He then moves on to a more sophisticated model, the NTi Audio XL2.