Anyone know how to build a SIMPLE mic pre?

[ScienceOne]

I want to start building my own stuff, just to learn a little somethign about the gear I work with everyday. I want to start with a simple mic pre, nothing but gain and phantom power. Anyone knwo where i can get a schematic for that, or something similar? It could be tube or solid state, whichever. I just dont want to start off by installing a 20 dB pad and a rolloff and a bunch of crazy stuff that I would just mess up. THanks!

 

[PsyCoNo]

Id recommend starting with some simple electronic circuits first. To practice soldering, etc. . .(if you dont already know how). . . But if there is anyone that has a schematic of a simple pre-amp, id like it too ;-)

 

[DJL]

I think this is the wrong forum for your question, but I'll second - I mean third that. I'd like to have the building plans and schematics for a simple 'but clean' mic preamp also. Anyone?

 

[Slackmaster2K]

http://www.triodeel.com/studio.htm

http://www.gyraf.dk/gyraf2/schematics/schematics.htm

http://www.one-electron.com/FC_ProAudio.html

http://www.commlinx.com.au/schematics.htm

http://www.waltzingbear.com/Schematics/Schematics.html

The schematics are the easy part. The hard part is learning that this can be pretty expensive to get into. Make sure that your goal is the project itself and not the end result!

Slackmaster 2000

 

[Slackmaster2K]

You might try PAIA first... a kit might be just the ticket...

http://www.paia.com

 

[DigitalDon]

Go to http://www.jensen-transformers.com/apps_sc.html
You won't find better circuits that you can build than here. Be advised, these circuits use Jensen transformers which can be expensive but are the best out there. Their transformers are used by John Hardy in his preamps/channel strips. Many of the circuits are very simple. All have very good explanations with them. Much more here than just mic preamps. Circuits like unbalanced to balanced convertors, DI boxes, even tube mic preamps. Load your printer up with paper - this site is full of good stuff.

DD

 

[DDev]

Great links. I enjoy the DIY tinkering, so I might actually find something I want out there. I built one of the DIY small diaphragm mics that is on the Tape Op site and it works great. I'm planning on building a second to make a stereo pair.

Some of these projects are worth doing for the learning experience alone, but you may or may not save any actual money doing them. I happen to be an electrical engineer working in a field service shop with access to all the right tools, which makes it easier to swallow the cost of projects. But they are lots of fun!!

Cheers,
Darryl.....

 

[BasPer]

If you are into DIY you might want to check out the tech talk forum on recording.org. There are some quite creative people hanging out there...

 

[DDev]

All this talk about DIY stuff should be banned!! After reading this post initially, I spent some time looking through the links, found a design for a headphone distribution amp at PAiA, and just had to build one, since I'm going to need one in the studio shortly. Ran up to Radio Shack at lunch yesterday, procured some parts, and now it works. Its a good thing work was slow this week or my boss would be having a fit!

Now I just need to find a case for it all.....

Darryl.....

 

[Havoc]

We could start a new forum topic.........

All good stuff. Be prepared however. Building high gain amp is not beginners stuff. I once took a go at the Jensen JE-990 amplifier block. Took me 4 pcb layouts to get that one working as intended. The components are not easy to source (over here anyway, YMMV).

You will need at least access to an oscilloscope to check for oscillations.

Other good source for schematics are old ETI issues.

 

[ozraves]

Jensen has put up some nice schematics. I've heard the instrument DI is like butter.

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/apps_sc.html

steve
www.piemusic.com

 

[h kuhn]

i have build this one:

http://laplaza.taos.nm.us/~fvuotto/taosamp.html

I designed a alternative PCB for the thing, with a seperate frontend. It fits upright in 1U now.

 

[ScienceOne]

Aright, rad. You guys rock. I know how to solder/etc. I have wired up several guitars, replaced blown resistors, etc. I just dont feel like i really have a good undertsanding though. I can read something and put a capacitor where it needs to go, but i can't say "oh, i want to put this here to get this sound". THAT is what I want to learn. I figure mic pres are a way to start learning, because you can do soooooooo much, get soooooo many different sounds. Screw up soooooooooooo many ways.