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

TS-2 Mic Preamp Redesign

DIY-Central.com Administrator — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 23:40:15 GMT

I opened up a big box labeled "TS-2" that I've put away for sometime.
Surprise surprise!

I have lots of finished front panels, hundreds of blank VU meter boards, parts for the 48V DC-DC converter, inductors, chips, LEDs, etc... even found some brand new router bits.

I think I'm going to stick with the current front panel design. So we'll have power on/off switch, VU meter on/off switch, 48V on/off, polarity reverse switch, gain, and trim knobs and 5-LED VU meters. This design is as basic as I can make it (while still keeping the features working.)

I think I've got the solution now to reduce labor building a TS-2 preamp. The new board design will:

Reduced molex connectors from (7) to (2).
Eliminated 12 wire to XLR soldering tasks.
Eliminated 12 wire stripping, and 12 heatshrinking tasks.
Made easier soldering the VU meter PCBs to the main motherboard.
Eliminate 14 wire stripping, 14 molex connectors crimping tasks.

I think I can have a prototype PCB for the new board design by late January. So I need to finish the PCB design before the 31st.

Bliptronic 5000 LED Synthesizer

DIY-Central.com Administrator — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:37:48 GMT

This is not DIY per se.... you can buy this musical device ready-made.

But for under $50, you don't need to DIY this. Just buy it. It's loads of fun too.

What's under the hood?

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/portable-audio-video/c4e1/

FiveFishStudios - 12VDC Battery Powered Dual Channel Preamp

DIY-Central.com Administrator — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:18:48 GMT

TS-2 Dual Channel Preamp

Powered by 12 Volts DC. (wide range, will run at lower voltage too)
Switchcraft DC jack (with locking threads)
True +48V phantom power (@ 12VDC input)
Internal Dual power supply rails +/-15V
Proven Preamp Design - based on the SC-1/mk2 design
Full size Neutrik XLR male and female jacks
12-step Grayhill gain switch
THAT and Burr-Brown chips
Anodized Aluminum Case
CNC milled and engraved front and rear panels
Approx 6.25" x 6" x 2"

The TS-2 Preamp was a limited run project.
All units are ready-made, complete, finished.
Not available in KIT form.

I only have (4) units left. Email me if interested.
$590* + shipping.
* Battery/Wall Plug not included

Thanks!

Testing an early prototype.

Portable Preamp TS-2 Redesign

DIY-Central.com Administrator — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:16:09 GMT

The TS-2 has been getting some traction recently... and I'm thinking maybe it's time to revisit this product again and do a Revision B.

The first TS-2 design was very good, and I love the sound of it! (Of course, it's based on the SC-1mk500 and SC-1mk2 preamps, but in a smaller form factor.)

But assembling a single TS-2 unit takes up a lot of time/manpower and with the small profit I have on each unit, it's a losing proposition. I'd come out ahead if I DON'T build a TS-2!

So to fix this problem, I'd need to raise TS-2 prices, or reduce my production cost, or a little bit of both. For now, I'm going to concentrate on reducing production cost. With today's economy, it may not be smart to raise prices (unless that price increase brings with it additional features that the original TS-2 didn't have.)

Question: So what can I do to reduce production cost?
Answer: Reduce the time/manpower to build a TS-2 unit.

Question: How can I reduce time to build a TS-2 unit?
Answer: Good question...

I'm thinking of several possibilities.
1. Through automation. Using SMD parts and pick and place machines. Ask a manufacturer to build the boards for me.

Cons: A little on the expensive side, and requires a lot of capital. I think 100 boards is the minimum. Assuming it will cost $50 per board assembly fee, 100pcs is a staggering $5000!

And I doubt it will cost only $50 per board... maybe closer to $100. And that's just the labor. The cost of parts for 100 boards is not included yet.

2. Minimize "wiring". Yes, soldering wires to the PCB board and connectors, and jacks take a lot of time. So if we can get rid of "flying wires", then that will reduce a lot of time and labor. So as much as possible, use PCB mounted jacks, switches, LEDs, etc... everything should be soldered to the PCB. No more hookup wires, if I can avoid it!

3. Reduce the number of PCBs. Right now, the original TS-2 preamp has 4 PCBs. A motherboard and a switchboard, and 2 VU meter PCBs.
That's a lot! And of course, there are hookup wires to connect all 4 PCBs to each other (see #2 above). So I need to reduce the number of boards required to build a TS-2.

I've upgraded my PCB design software last year, to allow me to make the bigger boards. Unfortunately, the TS-2 board design was prior to my software upgrade.

Now, with the ability to make bigger boards, I think I'll be able to combine more functions in a single board.

We've got plenty of real estate space FREE!

What else...

Revision B will also give the user the option to have INPUT TRANSFORMERS! So that will be cool! Maybe even add a switch to bypass Input Transformer. Hmmm... I'm getting too far ahead here.

So that's my goal.... redesign the TS-2 preamp to minimize wiring, combine more functionality in a single board, and add some new features.