Want to experiment without destroying components

[270fx]

I'm a beginner and I want to experiment by starting with the simplest possible functioning circuit and add components one at a time to see how the sound changes.

The simplest thing I can think of is just a transistor hooked up to a battery with an input and an output. Will this kill the transistor? If so, where do I need to put the resistor and why?

Thanks

[mth5044]

Have a looksie here:

http://www.muzique.com/lab/buffers.htm

[270fx]

Thanks!

[Kipper4]

Have you got a breadboard? wise investment for a tinkerer. Lots to learn without destroying componants

[antonis]

Till Stephen comes for omited welcome..

The simplest thing I can think of is just a transistor hooked up to a battery with an input and an output. Will this kill the transistor? If so, where do I need to put the resistor and why?

Transistor is a 3 terminal device so, in most cases, you need 2 resistors, at least..
(in the way of 2 terminals incoming and 1 outcoming current & vice-versa..)

[ElectricDruid]

Welcome!

Definitely +1 to get a breadboard. Also don't worry too much about destroying components. Most of them are pretty cheap, so it isn't the end of the world, and everyone here has fried a few. It's better to experiment and lose a few than to be afraid to experiment and never learn anything.

[antonis]

everyone here has fried a few.

Or more than a few...

[270fx]

Have you got a breadboard? wise investment for a tinkerer. Lots to learn without destroying componants

Yep, got a breadboard. Just waiting for my shipment of components. Ready to get started!

[duck_arse]

the more parts you destroy, the sooner you can put in another order for new parts. more stuff!

also welcome. also - lpb1, electra distortion.

[PRR]

...The simplest thing I can think of is just a transistor hooked up to a battery with an input and an output. Will this kill the transistor?

Yes. (Actually maybe nothing happens at idle. A big input will smoke the transistor... I have the T-shirts.)

A naked transistor does not amplify. The simplest amplifier has a transistor AND a resistor in a "fight". One pulls down, one pulls up.

Since there is DC on the output, but it is rude to send DC to the next input, you need a blocking cap.

Just like that, small signals won't come out and half of big signals just fart. Audio swings both ways. We need another resistor and cap to "bias" the input so the output sits "near halfway" so audio can sing both ways.

There is a deeper problem. Three legs on a transistor. Three *circuits* (complete loops) on an amplifier: input loop, output loop, power loop. Try to draw that and you see that legs must connect to multiple loops; also there is no way to separate the output from the power.

Agree that Orman's AMZ site is a great place for the basics.