Building a Pre Amp
Printed From: Speakerplans.com
Category: Other Chat
Forum Name: Roots n Culture Forum
Forum Description: Talk about speaker box with other sounds here
URL: https://forum.speakerplans.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=78546
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 7:09pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.08 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Building a Pre Amp
Posted By: championdrei
Subject: Building a Pre Amp
Date Posted: 04 May 2013 at 9:12am
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anyone ever thought about building their own pre amp? for playing sound system ect? drop some comments  ------------- respect |
Replies:
Posted By: Nitz V1505
Date Posted: 04 May 2013 at 12:11pm
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Yep nuff times!!!! Even got all the outboard units to do what a preamp does. Essentialy you have your phono/line preamp signal split by an active crossover into sub,low mid,mid&hi for a four way pre. These signals are then fed into a mixer with mic pre and siren signal,preferably with send and return for each channel. The magic ingredient is to be able to cut the bass,lo mid,hi mid and tops whilst being to toast or lick one two siren. The best way isbto make the unit modular like formula sound do. ------------- LET THE BASS ROLL LIKE THUNDER & THE TOPS LIKE LIGHTNING..... |
Posted By: Dub Specialist
Date Posted: 04 May 2013 at 12:50pm
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anyone ever thought about building their own pre amp? yeah all time fi yeeeaaars but that's all it is a thought  all the well known past n present pre-amp builders have a wealth n indepth knowledge of electronic experiencejust wished i learnt electronic's at school man instead of messing about  man id just build them all day long..------------- treat all creation with respect. For music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion! MUSIC IS LIFE 
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Posted By: championdrei
Date Posted: 05 May 2013 at 5:29pm
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what is it you have to learn though? is it electrical engineering or something?? im currently going to start college in September only 16 at the moment, i've loved sound system and ting since a young age through my dad.. got his own barracuda pre and ting always wanted to build my own equipment and stuff but just need the knowledge
------------- respect |
Posted By: infrasound
Date Posted: 05 May 2013 at 5:29pm
Yup
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championdrei wrote:Posted By: championdrei
Date Posted: 05 May 2013 at 5:29pm
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Nitz can you post a picture of the pre amp outboard units? ------------- respect |
Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 05 May 2013 at 8:52pm
Not to nitpick but you want electronic engineering to design and a build a pre, electrical engineering is more about high voltage stuff. Mains etc. Wouldn't want someone to sign up to a course and not realise, could be a pain to sort out. |
Posted By: Nitz V1505
Date Posted: 05 May 2013 at 9:54pm
what I meant by outboard units I meant seperate units like mixer,crossover etc. Ill pm you a few circuits to give you an better idea. As for your dream of building a pre I say go for it. Most of the circuits are low voltage. Just get someone to supervise when you build the power supply unit. ------------- LET THE BASS ROLL LIKE THUNDER & THE TOPS LIKE LIGHTNING..... |
Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 7:24pm
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well I was asked by Lloydie Coxsone to do just that after he heard work I had carried out refitting one of my older installs in a well known Club in Brixton. we had a brief discourse on what he wanted and a basic idea and a deal was struck. but he is not actually first in the queue but 2nd. 1st place has been occupied by a guy from the West Country/Bristol area who some may know or at least know of a website he maintains dealing with the history of old Sound Systems he has a few rare old pieces pf kit that in their time were used by the likes of Lord Koos and others. he brought me a "Link Audio Systems" (Birmingham) in a very sad state. but then having had a lot of experience of such devices found it just like most a mess badly designed and built. with a far from logical approach to it's layout or concept. I usually work in Pro-Audio for the most part but always been into the Reggae Sound System thing from a very young age of 9yrs old or thereabouts. I have built stuff from time to time for a few but found it not very rewarding financially. And being a Mercenary Sod that I am did not do it often. but I am finding it quite fun to do nowadays and I am building a few ( 4 at present ) I am sure they will turn out as well as the last bit of custom work I undertook which was the Core Processor for Ken Dibbles "Reciprocating Delay System" at Coventry Cathedral and although that was over 20yrs ago and have never had that particular "itch" that needed scratching for all this time. so to the Bench once more to toil and see what wonder comes of it and it will make a change from just dealing in electrocoustics and waveguides for a while a change is as good as a rest after all |
Posted By: Nitz V1505
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 9:31pm
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I always wanted to build a valve preamp. ------------- LET THE BASS ROLL LIKE THUNDER & THE TOPS LIKE LIGHTNING..... |
Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 9:43pm
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Building a "Bottle" pre-amp is easy enough depends on how sophisticated you want it to be. certainly easier than a power amp. EF86 are a good basis for a modern low noise circuit then use ECC82/83 for line driver always a bit prroblematic finding Carbon Resistors(would never use MF types myself) and decent caps with a good power factor as well as working voltage as the modern ones are mostly low voltage types as well as having a poor power factor. I always empty any drawers of Carbon Resistors when ever I come across them cleaned out Cricklewood Electronics of lot of their stock some time ago. you just gotta search any surplus stores you may find |
Posted By: shagnasty
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 9:57pm
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Just use a Soundweb 9088 with a custom front panel.... Simples!!!!
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Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 10:20pm
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er do not really think a digital 9088 will sound anything like what is required nice idea though. I do not like digital kit too much I prefer analogue. we bought a lot of FDS388 when they first appeared on the market sounded awful sent them back or sold them on removing them from hire stock. tried many others as well Dynacord XTA now use FDS360 DDA500 all heavily modded nice warm analogue really see little point in doing like a pal does takes Analogue to LS9 or MC7L then sends it analogue to XTA or KT then analogue to his Labgruppens pointless!!! keeps changing domains a very bad n sad thing to do |
Posted By: shagnasty
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 10:27pm
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I've done a few link-up where I have taken the outputs of a pre-amp and mixed them on a SW9088 so the system could control 721s,718s + Floodlights all with Turbo-spec crossovers but still have the control the pre-amp offered, worked amazingly well and let me sleep while the system was happy, I understand the analog/digi argument and as such don't use LS9s/M7CLs as their is no point in paying what I charge and not giving viable tools for the job, I am sure every Bingo house needs an LS9, do don't bring a Bingo rig to a gig.A properly set-up 90xx or Blu is more than a match for a DDA-500...
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Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 14 May 2013 at 10:38pm
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depends what you mean by "More than a match"...it is still digital so loses some of the information as it can only achieve 72% oof it no matter what sample rate or bit depth you use Nyquist will tell you that. It may be clean with a low noise floor etc But analogue well designed is always more pleasing to the ear. Music is not all about specs but about Timbre or character hence wrong is sometimes more right than right which often sounds so wrong. My analogue FDS DDA sound really good using Burr-Brown upgrades not cheaper TLO or NE devices FDS give you a good level of control over a band with the breakouts I have dynamic feedback integration on mine an idea I nicked from Bruce Howze after having too much grief with the dodgy SC22 controllers we had and not finding the DSC's not much better |
Posted By: Nitz V1505
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 10:28am
I got a circuit diagram for a grounded grid coscode (I think) phono preamp which has got very low noise and THD for a valve and even puts a lot of top op amp designs to shame. I love the idea of having a full valve set but would prove to expensive in this time. I reckon with a valve pre used with my transistor amps Ill get the sound Im after. ------------- LET THE BASS ROLL LIKE THUNDER & THE TOPS LIKE LIGHTNING..... |
Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 1:13pm
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I have given a fleeting thought only fleeting mind to building a simple line driver using valves just to give a signal a "Valve" sound. Perhaps I will get around to it at some future point. just have so many other project on the drawing board at present that it gets pushed to the end of the queue. there is absolutely no reason why a Valve would not or cannot put a "Solid State" circuit to shame if well designed with a good PSU it can perform with excellence. I have also seen MOSFETS used in a similar config Topology to Bottles in Class A auddio amps with good results. came across a Japanese Bespoke Builder some years back building transformer coupled types running on Battery power using just one or two power devices thus arranged producing very valve like results. do not recall his name only knew him as "Bay" a friend of one of my Mentors the late Dennis Tryckett a great Valve man who thought me a great deal about bottles so crack on I say give it a go you may like the results as well as the journey |
Posted By: Nitz V1505
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 6:06pm
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Got a Berry ultragain pro warming up the signal at the moment and it is definately one if their finest offerings. When I do get round to it Im thinking separate psu and hardwired circuits. Id use a cathode follower op stage for low impedance. ------------- LET THE BASS ROLL LIKE THUNDER & THE TOPS LIKE LIGHTNING..... |
Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 6:27pm
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Hey Nitz...has that berry got a tube in it then? |
Posted By: TRE4U2NV
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 6:51pm
Dennis Tryckett i was taught a great deal by this man when he was in bell st  to many secrets to reveal here   ------------- IM SO SECRETIVE BUT I CANT TELL YOU WHY |
Posted By: Nitz V1505
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 7:37pm
Yes it has 12AX7 in the preamp section but the eq and hp filters are solid state. Sounds good and is very clean suited for both studio and live work. But I need a unit for on sub to add that growl im looking for!!!! ------------- LET THE BASS ROLL LIKE THUNDER & THE TOPS LIKE LIGHTNING..... |
Posted By: SMP
Date Posted: 15 May 2013 at 8:25pm
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ok that means I know who you are!!! how you doing? still messing around with hot glass tubes I take it? still miss him taught me much about tubes and Bees!!! |
Posted By: Chris I Rockas
Date Posted: 16 May 2013 at 3:37pm
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Greetings Nitz V1505 and SMP....
Your talking about tubess in the signal chain prompted me to refer you to this little "exchange" some years back. Enjoy the Pic!
http://forum.speakerplans.com/calling-russ-d_topic23032_page2.html?KW=Bellari" rel="nofollow - http://forum.speakerplans.com/calling-russ-d_topic23032_page2.html?KW=Bellari ------------- Think you can, you will. Think you can't, you won't. |
Posted By: championdrei
Date Posted: 15 October 2014 at 6:29am
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Nice to see the interest in building pre amps If I ever do build one I want it to be like a barracuda. even though barracuda doesn't build anymore his pre amps have a unique sound to them like the tops for instance. I haven't heard 1 pre amp sound as criss as a barracuda. if only I could be barracudas apprentice  ------------- respect |
Posted By: championdrei
Date Posted: 15 October 2014 at 6:32am
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Or anyones apprentice really who knows how to build preamps and power amps ------------- respect |
Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 15 October 2014 at 8:13am
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There's not really a course in the world that will teach you how to build poweramps. Your best bet is obviously any electronics course which doesn't skimp on the practical side - but don't be thinking you won't be able to avoid some tough maths for the best results. There are also a lot of mechanical considerations with power amps and for the DIY'er those are learned mostly through experience. Pre-amps are easier being all low level. If you start playing with op-amp circuits you'll be on the right track. Unfortunately many people who set out to DIY a power amp want to start with a 500W/8 Ohms monster (which it would be for a first DIY build). I was also guilty of this when young! If I could find my teenage self I'd give them a talking to (about many things) and then make them build a 10W class A amp to start with. (Which would still need a good heatsink). |
Posted By: Selector Waxx
Date Posted: 15 October 2014 at 3:40pm
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Preamp building is not that easy. I know a guy who build one (as electronic engineer) wich should work on paper, but gets overheated very fast. That fast that it's not usable in a dance because it gets unstable and can damage amps and speakers. The sound he was building it for still use a regular crossover and dj mixer. But like said, learn the basics of electronics and then start learning on DIY sites how to build hifi preamps, crossovers and mixers, because the dub preamps are basicly a combo of those 3 machines, specialy fit for bass heavy sounds like used.
It would also not hurt to get some you like and look at the inside of those machines so you can see how they were build. |
Posted By: rigsmith_electronics
Date Posted: 16 October 2014 at 7:39pm
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I am glad selector Waxx or someone said this because I think the whole market is falling foul of amateurs and everyone needs to buy stuff with more caution. I recon to many people copying stuff and trying to make some chop shop electronics. The above is OK to do for yourself, But not what you sell to others. I am a very experienced engineer, my CV makes me worth a lot of money and when I look for a job and I always get a few offers at the same time. I hold BSc(Hons), I designed MOD style equipment for 4 years, worked for Toshiba for around 1 year after. Been messing with audio most of me life. I also used to build FM radio transmitters which is probably more tricky than making preamp. been Self employed for a good few years now also, after I got pissed of with my Toshiba design job and the amount of over time I had to do free of charge. I am really thinking now of going back to get a proper paying job and leave the sound system electronics to the youngsters who cant find job. The problem is. Education and Experience both required. You need to understand how radio frequency work and a whole heap of unrelated subject or your sound will fall very quick to problems. Unless you know the fundamentals and have the correct tools your in deep shit at that point. Some people try take many design and mash it all together into a larger system`. the result loads of mismatched impedance's, the design without proper bandwidth limiting and hence oscillation and RF pickup. more gain more stages more problems. There is a thing in industry we say EMC + EMC != EMC and it could not be more true with these larger preamp systems built from DIY websites information. Many can nock up something like a dub siren, LED box or synthdrum. But try design something clean that can compete with the likes of Allen Heath is not that easy. I am only just now finding confidence to take people like this on and I am not scared to admit it. I have designed now a pre amp which is in testing, I have never looked inside JTS, Mostec, Bah bah like the other builders, I do on my own back. It taking weeks to get just one board correct. If I sell it I will probably unlike the other builders publish full specs such as noise floors, input and output reference levels etc. If the other builders even know how to make the measurement and have the tools they probably will be ashamed to publish. I do know a few that know what they are doing and hats of to them. most others I am skeptical. and maybe you should never go with the man who dose it cheapest haha. I probably will get loads of rebuttal as per usual. I doubt I will come back on this website again. I say it every time but then I flick though and  it say something.
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Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 16 October 2014 at 11:04pm
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I am currently in the (slow) process of building a diy reggae pre. Its probably a mad idea, and the result most likely won't be as good as a mostec or a tubbys but I enjoy the challenge and the fact it forces me to learn whole lot. The main thing is if it works and does the job, its something to build on and improve. The main reasons I'm building my own pre: I want a pre with exactly the features I want, no more no less I want to understand my pre, how it works and more importantly how to repair and maintain it I don't want to be reliant on a builder who is miles away and have to send it back and wait for repairs (rumour says these waits can very long)!!! Here is picture of 'guts' so far.. http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0553_zps08d4a6e1.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  I really hope this thread / topic / forum can be a place where those who want to have a go at building a pre or any other bit of kit can share knowledge, experiences and advice. I reckon after building your own speakers and rack cases, making your own cables etc etc its natural progression to want to build your own pre  ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 16 October 2014 at 11:06pm
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@ rigsmith, very interesting post, respect to you sir. Also heard one of your sirens ( used at a gig by Ben Alpha ) and I have to say there was no complains there, good bit of kit. ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 17 October 2014 at 7:05pm
im 16 too i have no experience in electrics and ive just built my own 4 way preamp and it works... very good in fact ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 17 October 2014 at 7:30pm
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^ demo please ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: stitchy
Date Posted: 17 October 2014 at 8:39pm
got any pics?
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Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 17 October 2014 at 10:24pm
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Wha no experience in electronics , and at 16 with that wealth of knowledge must of been blessed and meant to be born with a soldering iron in yu hand and some great knowledge , again any pics please! ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: mini-mad
Date Posted: 17 October 2014 at 10:38pm
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....noo... i got my 1st soldering at the age if ten and i learn by doing. If i dont do it for a while i slowly forget but it shouldnt take much. A few band pass op-amps and a basic EQ and you have your self a very basic pre-amp. Easy enuff if you have a few hours free. Not saying it will be the doggs bolloxx but it will work to a fasion. ------------- If it sounds like a gorilla is trying to escape, turn it down. |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 12:43am
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Im the 5th gen to inherit my sound so all the skills i know have been taught by my uncle who used to do similar projects. The best was i learnt was to practise and READ and WATCH.. It's the best way i learn. Now I want to learn how to design power amps. I'm slowly gettin there (built a little 20w amp when I was 13/14) and when i do get there a new competition will be on the market :) When i finish school i will be doing an apprentiship in electronics as well as sound engineering and carpentry. ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 12:45am
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By the way I'm keeping it under wraps so no pics unfortunately, mainly because i dont have any and because someone else it currently testing it ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: mini-mad
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 2:22am
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Smps or tranny?.... smps are NOT easy :-( ------------- If it sounds like a gorilla is trying to escape, turn it down. |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 1:34pm
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?? ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: fat_brstd
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 1:40pm
Hes asking which sort of power supply you are using, I doubt your building the power supply for you preamp, rather using an off the shelf unit. However for power amp design it makes a huge difference to complexity of the build. ------------- Melbournes Rootical Warrior Roots - Dub - Steppers http://www.facebook.com/adrians.wall" rel="nofollow - facebook page |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 3:33pm
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i didnt build or buy the power supply my uncle made it for me. i think its a normal chasis mount transformer i'll have a look whe i get it back. ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 4:11pm
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It will be linear. |
Posted By: j4m3z
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 5:58pm
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Don't know that you need to take a class to build a preamp but you might want to start with some smaller projects before jumping into something adventurous. Here in the states there's a DIY audio shop (that sells "international" kits) called PAIA that makes kits and includes detailed assembly instructions along with design theory. Here's their phono preamp: http://paia.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9802K&cat=27 Paia also has tube pres. Paia's stuff is a little pricey for what it is, but as a learning experience it's a good deal. There's also books that can help you get up and running on sound projects: The audiophile's project source book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Audiophiles-Project-Sourcebook-High-Perance/dp/0071379290/ref=pd_sim_b_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=06PXSB5RNMR81FB92GK7 Electronic projects for musicians: http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Projects-Musicians-Craig-Anderton/dp/0825695023 After a couple of projects that ended up being more difficult than they should have been I've concluded that my soldiering skills and temperment are not a good fit for electronics construction. |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 18 October 2014 at 6:38pm
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if anyone wants to share schematics, let me know as i have plenty. i even have a program to make crossovers ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: Dubshot
Date Posted: 22 October 2014 at 11:09pm
| looks great Ben! Very tidy |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 04 November 2014 at 10:31pm
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Hows people getting on with their home made preamps? Ive been working away at mine, got a heap of boards made up, just got to link em all up and fit it all in case next.. cannot wait to do a full test when its complete... Kr1 - you ready to show us your creation yet? ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 5:59pm
http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0565_zps0a462641.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0563_zpsf5137f93.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  Home made Preamp work in progress. All boards made and tested. Won't be log before it's finished ready for a proper test with rig... ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 6:01pm
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No secrets / keep it under wraps here!! This is the guts of my machine.... ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 7:06pm
Very interested to see/hear it in action! Make a video when youre done!Nice job! ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 8:10pm
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Thanks, yes app I will do, I'm hoping about 1 weeks time before its finished ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 8:56pm
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Very Nice! do you mind me asking, were did/do you get the housing/case's from? than ks ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 10:44pm
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Yeah no problem. The case was from ebay, after a lot of searching, it was reasonably cheap for the size, its 5u and cost me 35 quid. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111256575417?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&var=410353071318&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 11:21pm
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Thanks my man, keep up the Good Works.... ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 11:26pm
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Very nice tidy work on the punching out too, do it yuself? ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: bitSmasher
Date Posted: 24 November 2014 at 11:29pm
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Looks like you just need a bunch of knobs.... they'll reply soon |
Posted By: mini-mad
Date Posted: 25 November 2014 at 12:02am
...taxi!.... taxi for bitsmasher! ------------- If it sounds like a gorilla is trying to escape, turn it down. |
Posted By: Masai
Date Posted: 25 November 2014 at 11:30am
Stop picking on the boy!! He's doing a great job. Better then me right now!!Keep it up! ------------- Facebook: Masai Judah |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 27 November 2014 at 3:40pm
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Yes Dubsound, i did the face plate myself, marked out on masking tape and drilled the holes with a battery drill. ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 17 December 2014 at 11:05pm
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Little progress for anyone interested in the diy pre project: http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0578_zpsd999db34.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0579_zps593a1baa.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 17 December 2014 at 11:08pm
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^Nice!Lookin militant ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 18 December 2014 at 12:36am
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Looking very nice!! ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: Dubshot
Date Posted: 30 December 2014 at 10:43pm
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Very nice Ben! |
Posted By: Nick Sasquash
Date Posted: 30 December 2014 at 11:44pm
Big respect Jammin....fair play to anyone who has at go at such a thing.... I can only imagine to joy you will feel when you play this instrument pon ya sound fror the 1st time & alll is sweet  ------------- https://operationsoundsystemrecords.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/OperationSoundSystem/ |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 31 December 2014 at 12:33am
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Thanks for the words of support, man the feeling of joy when just one part is finished and works is great, when the whole thing is together and working yes it will be a buzz...:) ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 31 December 2014 at 12:35am
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Are you close to the finish line yet? ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 31 December 2014 at 11:18am
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App, I'm maddly trying to get all the last bits done ready for a nye party tonight!!! Haha reminds me of last new years when I built my stack and gave myself about 6 days to build the and load the boxes... If its finished enough to use I will make a vid and post it up.. Happy New Year to one and all!!! ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: Masai
Date Posted: 31 December 2014 at 12:21pm
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Yes Jammin! Well done with you your pre It looks all good. Hopefully you can get it ready for tonight. No pressure! Keep up the good works Protection. ------------- Facebook: Masai Judah |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 31 December 2014 at 12:55pm
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Yes! Nice man! Love to see a video of it when its done.I bet youll have a happy new year if you get it done ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 02 January 2015 at 2:11pm
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when you think of a BCD Preamp (aba shanti or lord ambassador's preamps) think of that one in that picture below. this is one of the first ever prototypes charlie (BCD) made. that preamp i have is now 30+ years old and is still running today... 
------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: mrmck
Date Posted: 03 January 2015 at 9:19pm
| Just got an email from jo-red who has 3 pre amps, 1 JTS 1 mostec 1 jo-red for sale, I'll forward the email via pm if anyone is interested, bless |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 03 January 2015 at 10:12pm
   ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 04 January 2015 at 12:35am
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Can you pm me the Mostec pre by any chance kr1 nice one ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: wiz247
Date Posted: 04 January 2015 at 11:19am
| The mostec pre looks stunning |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 18 January 2015 at 5:01pm
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https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=720701938045498&set=vb.603777979737895&type=2&theater
A little clip of our event on Friday night, using my home made preamp for the first time ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 18 January 2015 at 5:10pm
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Nice! Are you happy with how it sounds,any special features in it? If you have a picture of the finished pre please post it Nice work! ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 18 January 2015 at 6:19pm
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I'm very happy with how it sounds so far though it does need a lot more testing. I want to set up a rig and compare my pre to the industry standards ie Jah Tubbys and Mostec, I got a friend who has both so some time soon I will get to do that. Friday at the little event my pre worked nicely, providing plenty of level to the amps, yeah sounded heavy :) Special features.. well not that special but...., the mic in is a proper balanced mic preamp with xlr connector, the mic channel has an insert point so that external fx/dynamics processing can be applied to the mic signal. The mic channel also has an on/off switch so level can be set and left. The H H/M L/M L outputs are on balanced xlr's. There's a 15 band graphic eq for the music, plus four way parametric eq. The send can be sent to one of two outputs so you can have two effects and select which one with a switch. The send has a 4 band eq for shaping what goes to the fx. Nothing groundbreaking but it is very exciting that it all works as this is my first attempt at anything like this, more pics soon ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 20 January 2015 at 7:40pm
http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0616_zpsd9974d83.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">
http://s30.photobucket.com/user/ben_hayward1/media/IMAG0617_zpsab462cbc.jpg.html" rel="nofollow">  finished it at last! ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 20 January 2015 at 11:24pm
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Buitifull my man top work there, really got nuff respect for a man to build his own pre-amp man, wished never messed about a skool , sud of got down with the electronics really liking this and looking a bit different too big ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 20 January 2015 at 11:38pm
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Looking good! ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: wiz247
Date Posted: 21 January 2015 at 2:30am
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Well done!! Like when a person put their own stamp and identity on their system.
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Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 21 January 2015 at 10:34am
In fact the actual electronics that goes into a pre is going to be really easy, there will be a ton of basic op amp circuits I would bet. Just a lot of them. I don't know for sure really though, never opened one. Perhaps just as hard as the electronic design, would be laying it all out and fitting it into the case neatly so it will continue to work for years without connections failing.
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Posted By: Dub Specialist Sound
Date Posted: 21 January 2015 at 10:31pm
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haha true true odc, i do, do some basic electronics tbh, made some noise box/pulses/siren/leds ect, but took on something as big as a pre.. ------------- Musical Roots Reggae Vibration is Life! for music is sound...sound is vibration...vibration is energy... and energy begets life. Therein lies my passion!...MUSIC IS LIFE... |
Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 21 January 2015 at 11:42pm
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It really will not be much harder. Op amp circuits all the way down I bet. The hardest part is sensible design and layout to keep noise down. |
Posted By: Pinyorouk
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 5:45am
I was going to mention that reliability and noise levels would be a challenge.... You beat me to it
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Posted By: valve head777
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 11:21am
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nice looking pre dude, can't wait to hear it! ------------- Freedom of choice, choice of freedom. |
Posted By: Masai
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 2:08pm
Well done Jamms!!! Great to see that you're already thinking outside the box and putting some of your ideas into practice Keep on doing what you're doing iya and well done once again!Protection!! ------------- Facebook: Masai Judah |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 5:05pm
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Thanks for the comments guys..... ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: valve head777
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 5:37pm
------------- Freedom of choice, choice of freedom. |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 5:42pm
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whats the best way of drilling through the metal? theres quite a few ways.. what did you guys use? ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 6:03pm
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Geared pillar drill and a decent set of drill bits is what you want. Sometimes metal punches can be useful for larger cutouts. CNC machining is the best of the lot for repeatability and accuracy but of course costs more. Edit: This is how you get the most versatility! The downsides of course are cost and learning to use one. Tbh most reggae preamps seem to consist of about 2000 potentiometers and sometimes an LED ladder so your best bang for buck is a decent pillar drill, an accurate steel rule, a centre punch, and a steady hand. |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 6:25pm
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like this: http://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach-dp13-255mm-bench-pillar-drill-240v/15449" rel="nofollow - http://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach-dp13-255mm-bench-pillar-drill-240v/15449 ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: kr1sounds
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 6:28pm
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i think this is better http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb540dbt-pillar-drill-press-350w/13155" rel="nofollow - http://www.screwfix.com/p/energer-enb540dbt-pillar-drill-press-350w/13155 ------------- I MAN SERVE SELASSIE CONTINUALLY... NO MATTER WHAT THE WEAK HEART SAY fostonshfs.webs.com |
Posted By: odc04r
Date Posted: 22 January 2015 at 7:10pm
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Yep, like that. Do some research as some drill straighter and more consistently than others. Consider second hand too, loads out there. |
Posted By: dj jammin
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 12:21am
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Just incase anyone thought I had just stuck some buttons on a shoe box, I made a demo clip of my diy preamp! Its not great quality as I just used my digital camera in video mode.. http://youtu.be/yz5FdlHXwSo ------------- Reverence Sound system |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 12:33am
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Nice! The pre seems to be working great! Big up! Love the militant green color What did you use as crossover points? Ill post the video here so its "easier" to watch if you dont mind! ------------- "what!?" |
Posted By: Heathrow_B_line
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 1:41am
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if you want a baby cnc machine i have got a baby one for £550 if your interested ------------- Produce a killer sound. Take no prisoners. |
Posted By: Masai
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 3:08pm
Let's say he was in and out a de box iya!! By the way..... You playing out in Brighton or West Sussex soon? London? I want to hear your valve machine in full effect..... ------------- Facebook: Masai Judah |
Posted By: valve head777
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 4:16pm
Melody SoulJah, my valve set, will be playing at the music café on Easter Sunday 5th April till late along side the Valve-a-tron system. not even run the set yet, amp is in my engineer's hands and i'm considering new double 18 reflex's for my Gauss units, so its all in the mix at the mo. thanks for the interest. ------------- Freedom of choice, choice of freedom. |
Posted By: Masai
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 4:53pm
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Cool. I don't know where the Music Café is but make sure you post the event up on here I! ------------- Facebook: Masai Judah |
Posted By: app
Date Posted: 28 January 2015 at 5:00pm
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Valve head what does your sound consist of at the moment. Did we discuss this in some other thread already?Cant remember...Strictly reflex? ------------- "what!?" |