DIY SSL E series microphone preamp - Built from scratch.

I have been tinkering with a lot of different mic pre designs over the last few months. I've tried the famous $5 pre using the INA217 chip and it gave some pretty good results considering it's transformer-less, but I wanted something a little more classic sounding. A little while back I came across the schematics for the the E series console by SSL. After looking at the main pre schematic it looked quite doable. A couple of low cost op-amps and an input transformer. All I needed was a output section and a input front end to provide some control over your mic, ie: Pad, phase and Phantom power. So I decided to start a prototype basic unbalanced pre and work from there.

DIY Harmonic Percolator - Project to build.

I recently came across a video featuring one of my favorite producers of all time, Steve Albini where he talks about his use of the harmonic percolator guitar pedal. I always wondered how he got his guitar sound. I dont think for a second that this magical box is his secret, but hey if he uses it, why not build one and see what its like? I did a prototype on a perfboard last week and I must say, it has

Microphone Pre Amplifier design using Integrated Circuits.

Well, I must say, its been a while since I posed anything here, well over a year by the looks of things, my how time flies. I have been working on some "for sale" projects lately,it seems that a range of guitar pedals I designed and built have been selling, and after running a small pedal custom shop, I can happily say

DIY DI Box. Active Direct Injection at its best.

There are so many projects out there to build, but no DIY equipment collection is complete without a decent DI box. Direct Injection is an important element to any live sound or recording rig. Whether you are recording guitar in your bedroom or in a super-studio, you will more than likely require the use of a Di Box of some description.

How to build a midi controller - DIY virtual analog controller.

I haven't posted on this blog for a while. Busy with my day job and have been out of project funds for a while. I've been kinda quite on the gear building front. But, with Christmas holidays and a little overindulgence, I have found myself with some spare time to build a box or two for next years projects. Something that is quite new for me and has been taking over my music composition fancies is a little application called Ableton Live 9. Being a staunch Pro Tools user for the past 15 years has taken its toll, and to be honest this new (for me), "non-linear" way of making music is causing me to once again gain real inspiration from a piece of software. So I decided to build myself a small midi controller for the purpose of servicing some plugin EQ, compression and synth parameters.

S800 EQ complete - Gallery

Some random DIY Audio Bookmarks to wet your tastebuds.

Audio Sites

Audio and production tutorials, from beginner to advanced | Audiotuts+

Music production sites | MakeTunes

100 Great Web Sites for Musicians | Producing Beats

Future Producers

Serpent Audio

Hairball Audio

Bedroom Producers Blog - World's biggest source of music production freeware.

How to Use an 1176 Compressor - pureMix Online Tutorials: Mixing, Recording, Producing Audio & Music

Video Tutorials | Mr.Bill's Tunes

Germanium Fuzz face Gallery

S800 EQ build update - New front panel design.

The parts have arrived!!! Yay! Looking at the contained components, quality is really really high. I cant believe these parts, the pots are all UK made and they even included the sockets for the IC's. Very nice indeed. This is a combined kit for 4 of the S800 EQ mono channels from Audio Maintenance Limited. 

Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face build part 2

Ok, so the case is complete, I'm not going to bore you with the step by step details on enclosure finishing. There are a plethora of internet guides on this subject. I like to use the water slide decal method. All I do is get a Hammond 1590B enclosure, spray it with a lacquer primer, light sanding, 3 coats of lacquer mat spray paint, light sanding, 3 more coats, another light sanding and wash. Then I design and

DIY Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face - Build part 1

I came across these kits a little while back from Pigeon FX. Im still in the midst of building a rather excessive fuzz pedal collection and decided to add one of these babies to my board. The Fuzz Face kits from Pigeon FX are quite seriously authentic. Vishay BC and Tropical Fish caps. Along with vintage PCB and original tracings. I am waiting for some matched AC128 germanium's to go inside but will build what I can tonight. I don't think you can get quite as close to the real McCoy than this. These are NOS parts and by the looks of things an NOS PCB! Well, I'm not sure if I believe that, at the very worst, its a stunning replica.

I will updating the build as I go. Adding to this post to complete a build guide.

Studio Compact Rack Desk Plans.

A rough plan for my new studio side desk. Quite Narrow at 450 mm but functional. Please check the spacing between the vertical's, I haven't actually built on yet and will have to see what practical spacing must be taken into account. I have measured it based on one of my own rack units.

You can download a Hi Res PDF version below.

Download Hi res PDF

S800 EQ front panel - Front Panel Express

There is this amazing company that provides a software application that enables you to design your own front panels. Not only do they give you the software but they make it for you too! Amazing! Ive spent the last 6 hours fiddling with this front panel design. Measurements are made to fit the S800 PCB's mounted pots. Just remember! If you use this layout you will need to replaced the switch on the far right of the PCB with a panel mounted toggle switch.

This was designed by myself, but I don't mind if you use it. Or share it for that matter.

Download the Front-panel Express file below.
Download

S800 EQ PCB's have arrived.

They have arrived! I'm quite excited to say the least. I am also coming across more info on the s800 as I go along. Peterc (Group Diy member who used to supply the boards) got hold of me offering a little advice on the project. I will be posting info here as I go. But for now I am very glad to say that I have the PCB's. I was lucky to get them, they came through a member on the group diy forum who had them but hadn't used them. So I grabbed em! Excellent!

Medium res scan below. I will be attempting to "trace" a PCB trace layout for home replication. But for now, here is a scan of the actual board. Board dimensions are 160 X 87,4 mm.  

DIY 1176 compressor build guides and resources.

Hello everyone. I recently completed my 1176 Revision A (Blue Stripe) that I acquired from the awesome Hairball audio, Mnats and Mouser. For those of you who are interested in building one of these beauties please, take my advice and read all the guides carefully. What I have decided to do, is place all the resources I can think of in this one location, partially for my own reasons and partially for anyone who needs one location for all the info. So have a look. If there is anything else please comment and I will try and add it.