The first PCB I made from scratch, from schematic to finished product, it worked to varying degrees throughout the development process but never very well. It was based off the original Roland TR808 drum machine circuitry, using a Bridged T-Network to create a transient oscillation. A short, low frequency pulse that sounds like a kick drum.
This board taught me a lot of valuable lessons, all of which stem from its non-function.
Always prototype the circuit first, no matter the confidence you have in your simulations and/or established circuit designs.
Build up a library of specific parts rather than using the generic footprints and symbols provided with the chosen CAD software.
Don’t trust found-online library parts. My IDC header had to be flipped so the shroud lined up correctly as the file I found was designed for a bottom mounted header, not top.
Through-hole components are more painful to solder than surface-mount, contrary to what I originally thought.
Reworking boards is quite the annoyance and the more steps taken to minimize this the better. In other words, further emphasis on my first point.
