The FiveFish Studios Passive Equalizer, using Carnhill Inductors, for 500 Series racks. -- Model PEQ-503

Very smooth sculpting of sound, no setting is bad. Silky Low Freq and Mid Freq control.... thanks to those huge Carnhill/UK inductors (same kinds used in Neve EQs). High Freq filter also outfitted with additional inductor for better control and shaping of the high frequencies.





3-Band EQ - Inductor Based EQ
Two Frequency Selection switch per band + independent flat/bypass position
12K/AIR HF control +/- 18dB gain
1.0K/3.5K MF control +/- 12dB gain
SUB/120Hz LF control +/- 18dB gain
EQ On/Bypass switch
Relay-controlled Bypass
Electronically Balanced Inputs using inGenius Technology
Electronically Balanced Outputs using OutSmarts Technology
Output Tranformer option
Discrete OpAmp option, or PDIP chip
Using Carnhill/UK VTB inductors for LF and MF control
WIMA caps for EQ filters
1% metal resistors
Bourns Potentiometers
Solid Machined Aluminum Knobs
CNC-milled/engraved/paint-filled front panel
Double-sided, plated through PCBs
Low Noise Equalizer
Jumper settings for experimentation, changing the EQ filter frequencies

Estimated Introductory Price (assembled)... $395.00
10 units available at this special introductory pricing
Pre-order your unit today. Email diy@fivefishstudios.com
Estimated availability... Fall 2010

DIY Preamp boards lined up for final assembly



and finally, Burning-in of preamps before shipment...

Shown are some SC-1mk500, X-12mk500 and X-72mk500 preamps in 500 Series Lunchbox format.

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.

This is our new Mic Preamp in the API-500 Series card format. We're bringing all the quality of the original SC-1 and some more, plus new additional features in this new form factor.

Features:
- Popular 500-form factor
- All solid-state design, using chipsets from THAT Corp and Burr-Brown
- Soft-start, slow ramp-on +48V phantom power
- Crystal clear Red LED indicator for phantom power
- Electronically balanced input and output stages
- or with optional Input Transformer option
- Improved design, improved performance, design refinements.
- DC Servo, Dual Buffered design
- Using uMetal shielded Input Transformer for excellent magnetic shielding
- 6dB gain steps in the lower range, and 4db gain steps in the upper range for more precise control
- Bourns, conductive plastic potentiometers
- 12-position Grayhill gain selector switch
- Input RFI protection
- Input clamping protection
- Output surge protection circuit
- Output RFI protection
- 0.063" thick PCB with 2 oz. copper, Solder mask, silkscreen, plated-through holes, - Lead-free Rohs
- Gold fingers
- 5-LED VU Meter kit
- Relay-controlled Polarity Reverse
- Use of high quality 1% Metal Film resistors, and high-quality ceramic and electrolytic capacitors
- Easy to assemble, easy to troubleshoot design
- Each component carefully labeled, protected and packed in separate zip bags
- Very affordable!!!

http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/SC-1mk500-Mic-Preamp-Kit.html

SC-1mk500 500-Series Mic Preamp Kit Assembly Guide

SC-1mk500 VU Meter

More Photos

 

 

Click here for Audio Samples

http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/Audio-Samples.html#SC1

 

 

This is the X-12 mic preamp in the API 500 Series lunchbox format.  You can use this preamp module with the API lunchbox rack, or any of the compatible 500 series racks available out there.  Big and beefy with lots of transformer mojo goodness in a compact form factor.

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

Download X-12 Mic Preamp Assembly Guide
Don't forget to download too the VU Meter Assembly Guide

NOTE: The X-12mk500 Preamp requires an API 500 Series Rack or compatible rack.

You can also use discrete opamps with these kits.
Discrete OpAmps not provided with kits. But there are lots of 3rd-party companies making and selling them. 

More Photos

 

Click here for Audio Samples

http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/Audio-Samples.html#X12

 

 

Visit www.fivefishstudios.com for kits and ready-made versions of these lunchbox 500 series preamps.

SC-1mk500 Mic Preamp with Cinemag Input Transformers optional, THAT Burr-Brown 

X-12mk500 Mic Preamp with Cinemag Input and Output Transformers, DOA, Burr-Brown

X-72mk500 with UK/Carnhill Input and Output Transformers, DOA, Burr-Brown

 

What if you could take the best features from different preamps, and combine them into one Super-Frankenstein Hybrid preamp?

And that's exactly what I did. Welcome my new X-72mk500 Mic Preamp!

http://fivefishstudios.com/index.php/X-72mk500-with-UK/Carnhill-Trafos.html

I used the latest low-noise modern chipsets, and couple them with big, hunking, hulky, giant input and output transformers from UK/Carnhill....

These same transformers are usually used in Neve-type/clone preamps.
 
And not only that, you have the option to use Discrete Op Amps (DOA) like 2520/990 type opamps, like the ones you find in API preamps.

 

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

NOTE: The X-72mk500 Preamp requires an API 500 Series Rack or compatible rack.

You can also use discrete opamps with these kits.
Discrete OpAmps not provided with kits. But there are lots of 3rd-party companies making and selling them.