Looking for a great DIY-Preamp for MICs (48v)

TobWen · 29th February 2004, 05:31 AM

Hi there,

this is Tobias from Germany.

I am interested in building a great tube-preamp for studio-recordings of 48V-Condensator-MICs

ATM I am jusing a 'Focusrite ISA 215' for recording.

I don't like the sound of the actual preamps ...
a mixture of transistor-amplification and tube-effect :-(

I am looking for 'fat' 60ies sound or the great sound of Neve.
Of course, everybody is looking for this and the marked gives it to me ... for $2500 minimum :-))

I have read many good things about the G9 by Gyraf.
Are there any other good DIY-projects?

Of course, I have read several posts in this forum, but nothing really 'kicked me now' :-)

I have experience in soldiering, but I am not a electronic technician, like many guys on this board.
I do understand the advanced basics, but at first site, I am a nerd and a musican.

Best regards,
Tobias

w00t · 29th February 2004, 12:07 PM

Here's a schematic I have in my collection. Have forgotten the source to give credits to.

TobWen · 29th February 2004, 12:12 PM

thanks for the 9th (?) preamp in my collection :-)

did you build it ? how does it sound?

Pjotr · 29th February 2004, 12:47 PM

Hi,

If you want to build a tube mic amp, at least start with a good mic input transformer. Jensen makes the best but it is also the most expensive. A good alternative less expensive is Sowter from GB.

Cheers

TobWen · 29th February 2004, 12:48 PM

I thought Lundahl is best?

... would be happy about any links for that :-) ...

Pjotr · 29th February 2004, 01:00 PM

I am not that in tube amps for studio work, more in SS but used Jensen and most time Sowter because of the price. Jensen is really top. Have no experience with Lundahl myself, but what I’ve heard they are in the same class as Sowter.

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/
http://www.sowter.co.uk/
http://www.lundahl.se/

Cheers

TobWen · 29th February 2004, 01:03 PM

Thanks :-)

perhaps you are into solid-state?
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...post&forumid=4

Pjotr · 29th February 2004, 01:14 PM

If you want to go for transformerless SS don’t bother but go for the BurrBrown INA 103. It outperforms a discrete MAT02 based mic amp IMHO and is much easier to build.

TobWen · 29th February 2004, 01:17 PM

I want to build several preamps and check its sound :-)

As I said, I am not an electronic technician ;-(
I can only build preamps from schematics :-((

I can't develope it on my own.

Pjotr · 29th February 2004, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TobWen

I want to build several preamps and check its sound :-)

That is the only way to figure it out for yourself. But download the INA103 data sheet. There is a microphone amp application in it you can build straight away.

Cheers

29th February 2004, 05:31 AM	#1
TobWen diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Germany	Looking for a great DIY-Preamp for MICs (48v) Hi there, this is Tobias from Germany. I am interested in building a great tube-preamp for studio-recordings of 48V-Condensator-MICs ATM I am jusing a 'Focusrite ISA 215' for recording. I don't like the sound of the actual preamps ... a mixture of transistor-amplification and tube-effect :-( I am looking for 'fat' 60ies sound or the great sound of Neve. Of course, everybody is looking for this and the marked gives it to me ... for $2500 minimum :-)) I have read many good things about the G9 by Gyraf. Are there any other good DIY-projects? Of course, I have read several posts in this forum, but nothing really 'kicked me now' :-) I have experience in soldiering, but I am not a electronic technician, like many guys on this board. I do understand the advanced basics, but at first site, I am a nerd and a musican. Best regards, Tobias

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29th February 2004, 12:12 PM	#3
TobWen diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Germany	thanks for the 9th (?) preamp in my collection :-) did you build it ? how does it sound?

29th February 2004, 12:47 PM	#4
Pjotr diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Netherlands	Hi, If you want to build a tube mic amp, at least start with a good mic input transformer. Jensen makes the best but it is also the most expensive. A good alternative less expensive is Sowter from GB. Cheers

29th February 2004, 12:48 PM	#5
TobWen diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Germany	I thought Lundahl is best? ... would be happy about any links for that :-) ...

29th February 2004, 01:00 PM	#6
Pjotr diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Netherlands	I am not that in tube amps for studio work, more in SS but used Jensen and most time Sowter because of the price. Jensen is really top. Have no experience with Lundahl myself, but what I’ve heard they are in the same class as Sowter. http://www.jensen-transformers.com/ http://www.sowter.co.uk/ http://www.lundahl.se/ Cheers

29th February 2004, 01:03 PM	#7
TobWen diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Germany	Thanks :-) perhaps you are into solid-state? http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showt...post&forumid=4

29th February 2004, 01:14 PM	#8
Pjotr diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Netherlands	If you want to go for transformerless SS don’t bother but go for the BurrBrown INA 103. It outperforms a discrete MAT02 based mic amp IMHO and is much easier to build.

29th February 2004, 01:17 PM	#9
TobWen diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Germany	I want to build several preamps and check its sound :-) As I said, I am not an electronic technician ;-( I can only build preamps from schematics :-(( I can't develope it on my own.