Learn how to build your own mic preamp! RSS 2.0
# Saturday, August 21, 2010
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.

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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

Saturday, August 21, 2010 4:27:37 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #    - Trackback
500 Series | API Lunchbox | Carnhill Transformers | DIY | transformers | Equalizer
# Tuesday, July 27, 2010
SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp Print E-mail
 
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 3rd Generation! SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp Kit

 

The SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp is a clean, "fast", clear, low-noise, high-gain preamp. It's sound is very transparent, offering a flat response, smooth highs and well-defined mids.

Features:

Legend:

            None – this feature was introduced in the original SC-1 preamp (mk1 version)

            MK2 – this feature was first introduced in the SC-1mk2 version, and also avaialble in the mk3 version

            MK3 – this feature is new for the SC-1mk3 version

-        Low-Noise, High-Quality Mic Preamp

-        All solid-state design, using chipsets from THAT Corp and Burr-Brown

-        Soft-start, slow ramp-on +48V phantom power

-        Mk2: Option to use input transformer for added sound “flavor”

-        Mk2: Gain range from +12 to +72dB, in 6dB increments from +12db to +42dB; 4dB increments from 46dB to 72dB.

-        Mk2: Onboard Power Supply Regulation, adjustable +/- voltage rails

-        Mk2: Reduced clicking and popping when changing gains

-        MK3: Further reduced clicking and popping when changing gains

-        Mk3: Robust 48Volt short circuit protection (from accidental phantom power shorts)

-        Mk3: LED-lighted push buttons for phantom power, -20dB pad and polarity reverse

-        MK3: VU Meter, 5-LED bargraph

-        MK3: Relay controlled Pads

-        MK3: Relay controlled Polarity Reverse

-        MK3: Bigger PCB area, more room to work with

-        MK3: Hole locations compatible with our X-12 Mic Preamp. Now you can have (1) X-12 Mic Preamp and (1) SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp in the same 1u Rack Case

-        Electronically balanced input and output stages (option to use input transformer for transformer balancing)

-        12-position Grayhill gain selector switch

-        Input RFI protection

-        Input clamping protection

-        Output surge protection circuit

-        Output RFI protection

-        High quality Bourns, sealed, conductive plastic potentiometer for volume control

-        Gold-plated, machined, low-profile IC sockets

-        Use of high quality 1% Metal Film resistors, and high-quality ceramic and electrolytic capacitors

-        Solder pads for optional INSERT jacks

-        On-board jumper terminals

-        Easy to assemble, easy to troubleshoot design

-        Each component carefully labeled, protected and packed in separate zip bags

-        Thick PCB board with 2oz. copper

-        Very affordable!!!  No, this is not “cheap junk” but a high quality product that is reasonably affordable!  (i.e. because there are no middlemen, and we don’t do expensive glossy magazine advertising! )

 

 

Listen to Audio/Demo Sound clips!

Download PDF file of Assembly Guide/Kit Instructions


SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp WITHOUT Input Transformers
  For USA Buyers
For INTL Buyers
$325 - 2 channel kits + PSU + Power Transformer BEST DEAL!!!
$269 - 2 channel kits (without power supply)
$199 - 1 channel kit + PSU + Power Transformer
$139 - 1 channel kit (without power supply)
 
SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp WITH Input Transformers
$445 - 2 channel kits + PSU + Power Transformer + Input Transformers BEST DEAL!!!
$389 - 2 channel kits (without power supply) + Input Transformers
$259 - 1 channel kit + PSU + Power Transformer + Input Transformer
$199 - 1 channel kit (without power supply) + Input Transformer

 

 

More Photos

 

 

Click here for Audio Samples

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

 

Customers also bought:

 PSU-2448mk2 Power Supply Kit - $40

For USA Buyers

For INTL Buyers
    

http://www.fivefish.net/diy/pwr-1u-trafo/pwr-1u-trafo.jpg1u Power Transformer Kit - $39

For USA Buyers

For INTL Buyers
     

 

 

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 2:10:58 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #    - Trackback
DIY | Mic Preamp | transformers | SC-1mk3
# Monday, March 01, 2010


It's alive! Works on the first power-up! I'm very pleased.

As for the sound, initial impressions:
A bit punchy on the bass.
Tighter low end.
Smooth high freq response.

It could run on 3 Volts!!!

Monday, March 01, 2010 1:57:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    - Trackback
battery powered | DIY | Mic Preamp | portable | transformers | TS-2
# Sunday, February 28, 2010
I forced myself to build the TS2 prototype last night, even though there are still some pending orders.

Happy to say the TS2 redesign is a much better improvement in the build time. Finished assembling this board in about 2 hours time!







I haven't powered up this baby yet, so don't know yet how it sounds.

I don't have the new TS-2 switchboard ready for this, so I think I'll just jury-rig the wiring for the phantom power, polarity reverse switches.

Sunday, February 28, 2010 1:57:08 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    - Trackback
battery powered | DIY | Mic Preamp | portable | transformers | TS-2
# Monday, January 25, 2010
We have prototype PCBs!!!

from this...


to this...


Haven't built it yet... too busy with other stuff.

Monday, January 25, 2010 1:56:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    - Trackback
battery powered | DIY | Mic Preamp | portable | transformers
# Monday, January 11, 2010
Sent the prototype PCB Gerber files to the factory.

Now we wait... and wait... about a week before we get the finished boards back.



This is just the motherboard. When I get this back, I'll rework the switchboard. (I want to make sure all the holes and dimensions are aligned.)
_________________

Monday, January 11, 2010 1:55:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    - Trackback
battery powered | DIY | Mic Preamp | portable | transformers | TS-2
# Monday, December 28, 2009
A flash of inspiration... I found a smaller footprint output transformer I can use... so I created an Eagle part library for that. (Tip: use a digital caliper when creating part libraries)

After some creative rearranging of parts, and I made this.

This is just the motherboard. Measuring about 6" x 6".


Ch-check it out!

2 Input Transformers - NEW FEATURE
2 Output Transformers - NEW FEATURE
Gain and Trim knob for each channel
2 VU Meters
4 Full size XLRs
Relay Controlled switching - NEW FEATURE
Bigger DC Converters - NEW FEATURE
... and better PCB layout by re-arranging parts.

Also, reduced the number of molex connectors from the original (7) to a single 10-pin Molex! That will be a big time-saver.... plus the use of PCB mounted XLR Neutrik Jacks.



I also have a smaller daughterboard that contains the 48VDC converter and soft-start phantom power, plus all the switches. I haven't re-worked on that yet.

Monday, December 28, 2009 1:54:02 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #    - Trackback
DIY | Mic Preamp | TS-2 | portable | battery powered | transformers
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