Building all your own recording equipment (link inside)

[88fingers]

http://sound.westhost.com/projects.htm

That page has a list of projects for building your own mics, preamps, phantom power supplies, and even mixing boards (looks like one hell of a project). Anyone ever tried this stuff out? I'm going to try the Project 66 Preamp. Any advice from some of you people who are probably much more experienced than I?

 

[manning1]

some more preamp sites

jlm audio
check out the TAOS schematic on the web.
nuts and volts december issue mag has a nice simple mic preamp to build on p25.
epanorama.net has a slew of schematics
jensentransformers.com and rane as well.

 

[crazydoc]

Here's a thread for you to look through
https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105892&perpage=25
You should have at least some experience building kits and soldering before you tackle something like this.

 

[88fingers]

I know how to solder and have done a few electrical projects before, just nothing this big.

 

[crazydoc]

It should be manageable.
Keep in mind you're going to need a +/- 15v power supply and a 48v phantom power supply, and some type of enclosure or rack mount for it, plus connectors, switches, wire, status LED's and other sundry items. A fuse or two would be nice also.
The site sells pc boards for the preamp (dual) and power supplies which would make construction easier than making your own boards or point to point wiring, but he sells them from Australia. In addition to $10-$15 per board, there is about a $10 shipping and $12 obligatory insurance charge.
Then you've got to get all the components together - this can be a hassle, especially if you have to order or buy from several different vendors.
But it can be a very rewarding pursuit, especially if it works.

 

[88fingers]

I particularly like the one where he builds his own mixer.... That one's certainly out of my league, but I would love to give it a try someday just to say I had a "Daggerhart Custom 32-Channel Mixer."