Quick Answer
Description
Small Signal Audio Design (4th Edition) by Douglas Self is an exhaustive, circuit-level technical reference dedicated to the design and optimization of low-voltage analog audio hardware. Spanning 27 chapters and with 565 illustrations, the text bridges theoretical principles and bench-tested circuit implementations while keeping mathematical overhead to a practical minimum. Self analyzes core signal-processing building blocks, including discrete transistor circuitry, operational amplifier behavior, low-voltage opamp selection, and precision active filter networks. Detailed chapters address specialized front-end topologies such as moving-magnet and moving-coil phono preamplifiers, microphone preamplifiers, guitar preamps, and balanced line inputs and outputs.
This fully revised fourth edition incorporates original research on internally balanced audio design, electret microphone interfacing, emitter-follower and CFP stability, capacitor microphony, and distortion reduction in Sallen-and-Key filters. The volume further provides practical guidance on volume and balance controls, mixer subsystems, switching networks using discrete JFETs and analogue IC switches, metering, ultra-low-noise power supplies, and digital interfacing. Concluding with a dedicated chapter on systematic design and prototyping sequences, this volume provides engineering cohorts and practicing hardware developers with a complete blueprint for professional audio equipment development.
Institutional Use
This volume serves academic and professional training programs across multiple institutional settings:
- University Engineering Departments: Acts as a primary textbook and lab guide for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in electrical engineering, analog circuit design, and electroacoustics.
- Audio Engineering & Music Technology Programs: Provides foundational technical coursework for audio production and sound technology students mastering hardware routing, console architectures, and preamp design.
- Commercial R&D and Industry Labs: Functions as a standard bench reference for professional audio equipment manufacturers, broadcast hardware technicians, and prototyping workshops requiring verified low-noise circuit topologies.
Product Details
| ISBN-13 | 9781032366258 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 1032366257 |
| Edition | 4th Edition |
| Authors | Douglas Self |
| Publisher | Focal Press |
| Publication date | March 1, 2020 |
| Format | Paperback |
| Language | English |
| Category | Engineering & Technology |
| Subcategory | Electrical Engineering |
| List price | $51.99 / copy |
| Min. order | 5 copies |
| Condition | New |
Table of Contents
- Chapter 1: The basics
- Chapter 2: Components
- Chapter 3: Discrete transistor circuitry
- Chapter 4: Opamps and their properties
- Chapter 5: Opamps for low voltages
- Chapter 6: Filters
- Chapter 7: Preamp architecture
- Chapter 8: Variable gain stages
- Chapter 9: Moving-magnet inputs: levels and RIAA equalisation
- Chapter 10: Moving-coil head amplifiers
- Chapter 11: Tape replay
- Chapter 12: Guitar preamplifiers
- Chapter 13: Volume controls
- Chapter 14: Balance controls
- Chapter 15: Tone controls and equalisers
- Chapter 16: Mixer architecture
- Chapter 17: Microphone preamplifiers
- Chapter 18: Line inputs
- Chapter 19: Line outputs
- Chapter 20: Headphone amplifiers
- Chapter 21: Signal switching
- Chapter 22: Mixer subsystems
- Chapter 23: Level indication & metering
- Chapter 24: Level control & special circuits
- Chapter 25: Power supplies
- Chapter 26: Interfacing with the digital domain
- Chapter 27: The Design Sequence
Key Topics
- Analog audio circuit design
- Operational amplifier characteristics and low-voltage operation
- Discrete transistor design and emitter-follower stability
- Preamplifier architecture for microphone, phono, and guitar inputs
- Active filters and Sallen-Key network optimization
- Mixer subsystems, signal routing, and switching networks
- Balanced and unbalanced line input and output stages
- Ultra-low-noise regulated power supply engineering
Who This Is For
- Undergraduate and graduate electrical engineering students
- Audio engineering and music technology faculty and students
- Professional audio equipment designers and hardware engineers
- Analog circuit laboratory technicians and prototype developers
- Institutional engineering and technical reference libraries
Institutional & Bulk Ordering
- Minimum order: 5 copies, with tiered pricing at higher quantities
- Purchase orders and Net-30 terms accepted for qualifying institutions
- Tax-exempt certificates accepted for qualifying accounts
- Free worldwide shipping, no sales tax
Edition & Identifier Check
Always confirm this exact ISBN-13 and edition (9781032366258) against your syllabus or procurement request before ordering — editions of this title are not interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What edition is this volume and what are its companion formats?
A: This listing is for the 4th Edition in paperback format (ISBN 9781032366258), published by Focal Press. A companion hardback edition is available under ISBN 9781032366272.
Q: How is the content of this 4th Edition organized?
A: The book spans organized into 27 structured chapters, supported by 565 black-and-white illustrations and schematics detailing component performance, opamps, preamplifier architectures, mixers, and power supplies.
Q: What new technical topics are introduced in the fourth edition?
A: The fourth edition adds extensive coverage of internally balanced audio architectures, electret microphones, emitter-follower stability, capacitor microphony, advanced Sallen-and-Key active filters, and a dedicated new chapter on the design and prototyping sequence.
Q: What is the minimum order quantity for this title?
A: The minimum order is 5 copies. Tiered pricing applies at 5, 10, and 25 copies; orders of 100 or more copies are quoted directly by email.
Q: Is this the correct edition for my program or syllabus?
A: This listing is ISBN 9781032366258 (ISBN-10 1032366257). Please confirm this exact identifier and edition against your syllabus or procurement request before ordering, as editions of this title are not interchangeable.
Q: Do you accept purchase orders and offer Net-30 terms?
A: Yes. Purchase orders and Net-30 terms are accepted for qualifying institutions, and tax-exempt certificates are accepted at checkout.
Q: Do you ship internationally?
A: Yes, Global Academic Supply offers free worldwide shipping with no sales tax on qualifying orders.