The Audio Circuits Cookbook

The Audio Circuits Cookbook provides a comprehensive collection of high-quality audio circuit modules - "building blocks" that readers can arrange to create complete audio devices. This book is intended for intermediate-level electronics hobbyists and students who want to design professional quality audio devices without needing an engineering degree. It provides practical explanations of both simple and sophisticated audio circuits, with minimal math and theory. It's definitely not a "Dummies" book, but there's plenty for beginners, and many basics are included so nobody is left behind. Professional engineers will find much of value as well in the complete and tested circuits.

More than 80 circuits are included covering every aspect of audio circuit design, from basic elements such as active rectifiers, peak followers, oscillators, and simulated inductors, to complete professional quality devices including compressors, equalizers, and microphone preamps. Every type of active filter commonly used for audio is included and explained in detail, along with every audio circuit needed to build a complete analog synthesizer. The circuits in this book can be used and reused again and again, though readers don't even need to understand how they work. Of course, detailed explanations are provided using plain English.

Further, this book includes much more than circuit building blocks. It explains which capacitor types are best for a given application. It includes numerous charts and tables such as standard 1 percent resistor values, musical note frequencies, and third-octave bands. Many types of active filters are used in audio, and all require tedious math calculations. To avoid that this book includes a spreadsheet to calculate component values for you. Other spreadsheets include Ohm's Law and Decibel calculations. Tutorials include advanced multi-layer PC Board design and more. It also explains the fabulous free LTspice program that greatly simplifies and speeds up circuit development, while avoiding the need to spend thousands of dollars on parts and test equipment. Every circuit in this book is provided as an LTspice file, ready to be copied into your projects or built onto your own PC boards.

This video explains the book in much more detail:

You can view the Table of Contents which includes a list of all the circuits and tutorials included in the book, and a detailed description of all the tutorial information in each chapter is listed in the Chapters Abstracts page. The ISBN number for the paperback version is: 978-1032842820

As always, we find things to fix and improve after the book is printed. This Addendum Page holds the current list. Minor typos are not included, but will of course be fixed in the second edition.

The August, 2025 issue of audioXpress magazine has a wonderful review by Harman engineer Dimitri Danyuk. Here are some excerpts:

Ethan Winer's The Audio Circuits Cookbook is exactly what the title promises - a rich, no-nonsense collection of audio-related circuits that bridges the gap between textbook theory and real-world application. Whether you're an audio hobbyist with a basic understanding of electronics or an experienced designer looking for a quick-reference companion, this book delivers both inspiration and utility ... Winer explains concepts with clarity and efficiency, offering just enough depth to help readers understand how the circuits work without overwhelming them with theory.

A particularly helpful addition is the inclusion of chapters dedicated to free, modern tools like LTspice and KiCad ... Winer's emphasis on simulation encourages a more confident, informed approach to building and modifying circuits - especially valuable for those without access to extensive lab equipment ... For more experienced readers, The Audio Circuits Cookbook serves well as a bench-side reference … Winer doesn't chase exotic topologies - instead, he delivers proven designs with practical guidance, which is often what matters most when you're trying to get a project off the ground.

In a world full of overengineered or under-explained schematics, Winer's practical, common-sense approach is refreshing. This is the kind of book that invites tinkering and rewards curiosity. A well-organized, approachable, and highly useful reference, good for audio electronics enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you're learning or revisiting the basics, or just need a reliable circuit to get started, this cookbook belongs within arm's reach.

Ethan Winer has been a professional musician, composer, circuit designer, recording engineer, college instructor, computer programmer, technical writer, and audio consultant since the late 1960s. He was a contributing editor for PC Magazine for many years, and has written hundreds of feature articles for audio, music, and computer magazines such as Mix, EQ, Sound on Sound, and many others. Ethan's book The Audio Expert published by Focal Press is now in its second edition. This book explains audio at the deepest, most technical level, without needing an engineering degree. In 2002 Ethan started the company RealTraps to manufacture bass traps and other acoustic treatment, which he continues to this day.

Besides his interest in audio and computers, Ethan produced two popular Master Class videos featuring renowned cellist Bernard Greenhouse, and five CDs for Music Minus One including a recording of his own cello concerto. Ethan's Cello Rondo music video has received nearly two million views on YouTube and other web sites, and his music theory video course on YouTube is very popular with nearly half a million views. In addition to writing and recording pop tunes, Ethan has composed four pieces for full orchestra, all of which have been performed publicly. He's also played in several amateur orchestras, often as principal cellist. Ethan lives in New Milford, Connecticut with his cats Bella and Tab Hunter. When he's not watching The Simpsons or writing words or music, Ethan enjoys cooking and playing his collection of vintage pinball machines.