DIY-Central.com - Go Create something! - PCB Design, Electronics

Last October, I held a sale of my X-12mk500 preamps.
 http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/X-12mk500-Mic-Preamp-Kit.html

These are some of the units that went out to customers... <drool>

Thanks to all my customers that support FiveFish Studios DIY Mic Preamp kits.
Some photos:


from another angle

Lunchbox pres racked in a 1u case

Just a test.... checking clearances, and how the whole thing will look.

The real deal will be a setup for (2) X-12 pres.

update:



Finished X-12 preamp, 2 channel in a 1u rack.




check it out... We now have audio samples of the X-12 Mic Preamp.

http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/Audio-Samples.html

Special thanks to Farview Recording (Jay Walsh) and Jason Mallow. You guys ROCK! Also thanks to Madison Rhoades for the vocal clips.

Check out the Servant song... all tracks recorded through an X-12 Mic Preamp.

The X-12 preamp kits are now on sale.

I updated the X-12 PDF guide and explained more about the option of using PDIP8 chips and DOA chips.

The key is using MillMax socket pins on the board. This will allow you to quickly remove the PDIP8 chips, insert your DOA chips and do some listening tests. The DOA chip sits well above the IC sockets. You'd have to remove the PDIP chip though if you want to use DOAs.

Here's the latest photo of the X-12 preamp using an API 2520 clone Discrete Op Amp.

This preamp was inspired by A certain Preamp Indeed!

But no, it's not a clone. Rather, I'd like to call it my FiveFish version

It uses input transformers with high-nickel and mumetal shielding, monolithic opamps and also has the option to use 990/992/2520 discrete opamps, null offset, output transformers, on-board voltage regulators, Relay-controlled -20dB Pads and Polarity Reverse, Soft-start phantom power, LED-lighted push button swithes, Grayhill selector switch, Bourns pot.

It uses a very very low distortion opamp chip for amplification, coupled to a high current, high-slew rate (2000V/us) video buffer driver subjecting that output transformer into submission.

The sound is huge and beefy... it will fight back when pushed hard, and slap you up and down silly to let you know who's boss... kinda like a rock n roll club bouncer.

(VU meter not shown in above photo, 5-LED VU Metering included in kit.)

I now have a mic preamp kit inspired by the API preamp. Check it out! You can buy the complete kit on my website. http://www.fivefish.net/diy/ http://www.fivefishstudios.com/ffimages/X12-Preamp-Fivefish-large.jpg This is my own version of a classic preamp, popular in the 70s and still popular today. It's not a clone since I'm using a totally different signal path and design, and different input and output transformers. But the sound nevertheless is awesome. Big and beefy with lots of transformer mojo goodness. Note: This kit is my 1u rack version with on-board local voltage regulators. Using Input and Output Transformers 12-step Gain from 22dB to 68dB, at 4dB/step -20dB Input Pad High-quality parts Option to use Discrete OpAmps with the 990/2520 format Using high-performance chipsets, currently the best chip around Using High-speed 2000V/us, video buffer, high-current transformer line driver Using Grayhill switch - high quality mil-spec with output trim Bourns potentiometer - so you can overdrive the input trafo and be able to trim the output of the pre. Null offset trimmer adjustment LED-lighted push buttons for 48V phantom, pads, and polarity reverse Relay Controlled Polarity Reverse Relay Controlled -20dB Pad Soft-start/Ramp-up 48V Phantom Power Includes on-board voltage regulators Professional PCB, Rohs PCB with double-sided, plated-through holes, 2oz. copper with soldermask, silkscreen layout, Includes everything... 5-LED VU Meter, spacers, screws, knobs