A little help for an EE student...

**mikezfx** · 09-12-2003, 06:40 AM

( I already posted this in the bar and grille - but thought it would be more appropriate here)

Hey everyone -

I am a third year Electrical Engineering student and I need to write a technical paper (5000-6000 words) on any topic of my choice. Naturally, I want to do something with music electronics, but am drawing a blank on some hot topics to go after.

Anything to do with music electronics or acoustics would be perfect.

Have something you've contemplated and want researched? Nows the time

Any ideas?

Thank you so much,
Mike Zartarian

gyraf · 09-12-2003, 07:23 AM

What general direction: Practical, theoretical, or even an empirical approach? Are you mostly into hard- or software engeineering? How hardcore-technical does it have to be?

Jakob E.

**PRR** · 09-12-2003, 09:20 AM

> I am a third year Electrical Engineering student and I need to write a technical paper (5000-6000 words) on any topic of my choice.

If your instructors have got a clue: this isn't so much about electicity as about writing.

Tradtionally, EE students get no writing training. But in Real Life, they have to turn wild ideas into solid easily understood memos to get project approvals so they have work and can get paychecks instead of layoff slips. My EE father often regretted his under-developed writing skills when he had to send reports and proposals to RCA Management. He was actually a good writer! But Management can be poor readers, so you gotta write just right or it goes over their heads.

If you want to get a grade and be useful too, consider contributing to the Lessons In Electric Circuits project. There are several unfinished chapters and articles, some well within the grasp of a 3rd year student.

Get someone to critique your rough draft for overall organization and detail grammar problems. Not just so you can turn in a nice paper, but so you can learn where your writing could be stronger. Maybe your roomate, though he/she may not be a good critic. Your school writing program may have grad students assigned to this. The Writing Program critics may not be EE-geeks, which is fine (it's still English); but if you want, Mike, I'll read 6K words and give you my suggestions.

**mikezfx** · 09-12-2003, 10:28 AM

Let me give a little more description:

The paper can take any direction, and can be directed at any audience I choose. It can be very technical for an engineering audience, or very untechnical for a management or consumer audience.

An example would be a reccomendation to a club on why it should install acoustic treatments, lower its average SPL's, and put the sound board in front of the stage instead of in a closet.

The purpose of this technical paper is to develop writing skills within my discipline - it is a semester long english course, and the paper is the end product.

I'm just looking for a topic I will enjoy writing aboutm and enjoy researching.

I'm just in the very infant stages, and am looking for rough ideas of what to write on.

I have just been drawing a blank when it comes to a good topic in music electronics, and am hoping I can get some ideas.

Thanks,
Mike

**Kev** · 09-12-2003, 04:41 PM

Hey Mike,

.. you just got two of the best people I know, to help you with your paper.

My advice to you is,

Make the most of there offers.

BUT if you are going to lean towards accoustics you must throw this subject past Ethan Winer. If he wants to jump on board you will be in fine hands.

**Rod Gervais** · 09-12-2003, 05:32 PM

Originally posted by Kev:
BUT if you are going to lean towards accoustics you must throw this subject past Ethan Winer. If he wants to jump on board you will be in fine hands.

I second that suggestion - if acoustics you choose...... but i would suggest contacting Wes Lachot as well........ he is a fine acoustic architect...... very knowledgable and able to think "outside of the box"... and his practice is limited to studio design........

However if you stick with electronics....... either of the 2 geneltmen who have responded can help you go where you want. They are some of the best...........

Rod

**Learner** · 09-12-2003, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by PRR:

If you want to get a grade and be useful too, consider contributing to the Lessons In Electric Circuits project. There are several unfinished chapters and articles, some well within the grasp of a 3rd year student.

Thanks for the link PRR!!! [img]graemlins/wave.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/

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Hehe...I'll add that to my EE book collection hahaha......... can never have too much resources to read.