Books to learn from N and P junction to designing advanced effects an audio gear

[Brymus]

I was wondering >I am waiting on some books recommended by a few different people.
I am tired of throwing parts at my breadboard ,hooking up what sticks ,then tweaking until it sounds good or I start over,or Google my brains out trying to understand why what does and doesn't work.(the regulars here have been very helpful and inspiring ,so thank you guys )
Is there a good few,series set ,ect of book/s that can teach from what a cap is through all the theorems and formulas.explaining how to do the math(and not assuming you have advanced calculus under your belt) to actually learn this without taking several years at a university ?
Recomendations ?
Where to start ,where to finish ?
And yeah I know all about P Millets ,I am talking specfic books and authors.(but welcome all advice and suggestions)
I know I need to learn Spice to see the sims and work different circuits without building and testing with my scope.(book for that?)
What else ?

[merlinb]

I don't know which book to recommend that takes you right from the basics, but once you get past the basics it is well worth reading Douglas Self's Small Signal Audio Design

http://www.amazon.com/Small-Signal-Audio-Design-Douglas/dp/0240521773/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275728289&sr=1-1

which covers high-quality discrete and opamp circuits, goes heavily into low-noise design, but also electronic switching, noise gating, and other pro audio topics.

[teemuk]

The Art of Electronics (Paul Horowitz and Winfield Hill)

[PRR]

> designing advanced effects an audio gear

"Advanced" starts with the basics.

Free on-line: Discrete audio amplifier basics By John Linsley Hood

Not much about caps. Good basic transistor design.

Note the comments on the first page. "Hood was a delightful character, but wasn't always entirely clear on solid-state physics." But as other comments show, everybody sees the elephant a little differently. Just absorb. Filter later.

[Brymus]

No small coincidence I have already ordered the two listed by Merlin and Teemuk,(earlier this week)as well as the Amp design book you mentioned elsewhere Paul.I will look for the one you just mentioned online.
Thanks guys.

BTW Teemuks book is a REALLY great book as well,I have it printed out and in a binder.

And this place http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/ seems to be really good, it has a section with tests to take as well.If you search the whole site.
I havent read through much of it though ,just refrencing what I need for this and that...
I should read it each volume start to finish.

[Processaurus]

If you have time, a one semester community college electronics class worked really well for me, as far as learning basic design.  I let my teacher know I was obsessed with audio.  That and owning an oscilloscope, and reading here, and tinkering, has covered enough to be able to design analog effects with intent, from the ground up.

Also, have you seen Falstad's circuit simulator?  I thought it was a fantastic interactive way to explain electronics:
http://www.falstad.com/circuit/

[merlinb]

You might like to read this old Stompboxology article on discrete design:
http://moosapotamus.net/IDEAS/stompboxology/GoingDiscrete.htm

[Brymus]

Thanks guys, good ideas.
And I forgot to thank Merlin too.
When I was in my "tube amp" stage your site was very helpful.Those of us at SeWatt and 18 watt refrenced it all the time.
Some times I feel like it would be nice if they broke so I would have an excuse to re-build them again.

[Nasse]

http://www.audioxpress.com/bksprods/products/bkaa59.htm

One of few books that I have and had when younger, did found it in school library. Mostly opa / ic stuff but some useful formulas & how it works stuff bit dated and some chips not available or hard to find