Mic Preamps, Mic Preamp Kits, 500 Series, Lunchbox Preamps

FiveFish Studios
Ready-Made Mic Preamps & DIY Kits

FiveFish Studios make high quality, professional mic preamps and other audio-related products available to the audio recording professional.

We also provide DIY (Do-It-Yourself) kits for rack preamp models, and power supply units. 

 

Check out some of our products below:

 

FiveFish Studios is part of the API VPR Alliance.   

 

ASSEMBLED, READY-MADE UNITS
500-Series "Lunchbox" modules. Buy it, plug in, play it!
 MX5 Mic Preamp

API VPR AllianceMX-5 Mic Preamp
MX-5 Mic preamp, with UK/Carnhill Input and custom output transformers. Big, punchy sound with also a mid forward character. Available as READY-MADE modules.

FiveFish Studios is part of the API VPR Alliance.  

   
X72mk500 Mic Preamp
X-72mk500 Mic Preamp
X-72 Mic preamp, with UK/Carnhill Input and Output Transformers. Huge, warm sound with lots of punch! Available as READY-MADE modules.
   
X-12mk500 Mic Preamp

X-12mk500 Mic Preamp
API VPR Alliance X-12 Mic preamp in the API 500 Series Lunchbox format. Big and beefy with lots of transformer mojo goodness. Available as READY-MADE modules.

   
SC-1 mk500 Mic Preamp

SC-1mk500 Mic Preamp
API 500 Series Lunchbox compatible
Available with or without Input Transformers
CLOSING OUT SALE... BIG DISCOUNTS
Available as READY-MADE modules. 

   
   
DIY Do-It-Yourself Kits
The following items are available to the DIY enthusiast.  Don't know how to DIY? We can also assemble these for you.
X12 Rack Case
X-12 Rack Case - (2) channels
Available for DIY project, will fit 2 X-12 preamp kits
   

SC-1mk3 Mic Preamp
Available with or without Input Transformers
3nd Generation of our popular SC-1 Mic Preamp

   
X12 Mic Preamp

X-12 Mic Preamp Kit
Inspired by a classic design, that 70s L.A. sound
Input and Output transformers are standard

   

 
More products can be found here... Power Supplies, VU Meters, Rack Cases, Knobs, etc...
 

 

API VPR Alliance
API VPR Alliance Member

 

 

 

 

Testimonials

Ideal for Classical Recording
I own a couple of your SC1 Mk2 preamps which I put in a custom made case.  I am thinking of buying a few of the MK3 version. Thank you for creating and offering these preamps.  They are just ideal for classical recording, every bit as good as my [high end preamps].  - D.Rumley, USA
 
Crisper, Clearer, Easy to dial that perfect gain structure
At tax time, i wanted to add some nice flavor to my studio. I bought an A-Designs 500-HR rack and (2) 500 series units: a name-brand preamp   and the Five Fish Studios X-12. I used both for various purposes over the next 2 months: upright piano, drums (kick, snare, OH,) guitar, bass guitar...And in the end, I got rid of the name-brand preamp and picked up another X-12, no contest. I found the X-12 to be crisper and clearer, easier to use, easy to dial in the perfect gain structure. That's just my personal take on it. I think the name-brand preamp is great but for my money, it will always be the X-12, no contest. - post on Gearslutz.com
 
High-end Kits
The fivefish kits are very high-end, the PCBs are very thick and sturdy, the coating is excellent and very resistant, they look very well done, unlike anything i have ever seen before. - J.Gomez, Analog Recording Forum
 
Great sound, Full bodied sound!
This is a great preamp, great sound, full bodied sound. - eBay feedback X-72mk500, May 2010
 
Totally Rock Solid! Top Notch!
Just got my pre-built x12.. its totally rock solid. Messed around with it a little today, great addition to any collection of preamps. The x12 had a little of that signature grainy upper mids with a more focused bottom end. No DI included, but it loves to amp the Countryman DI. I like the meter, its handy. The construction is top-notch, solid knobs and switches, good illumination. You can get in there and swap out the IC for a DOA, etc.. but I think the transformers are making the "sound". Oh yeah, its quiet too. - Andy S, USA
 
Value and Quality
X-12mk500 - I can't believe the value & quality of these preamps! Amazing! - eBay Feedback, May 2010
 
Wow! Nice preamp!
I just finished auditioning the SC-1mk500 with output transformer. I recorded a Taylor acoustic with a Neumann TLM-193 into your preamp and then into a Tube -Tech CL-1B compressor. The results were fantastic.  I couldn't believe how much clean gain was available.  Not sterile clean, it does have "character", but clean!  Solid lows and a sweet sparkly top end, it captured the Taylor perfectly.  If I really hit the strings hard, the preamp could handle it easily.---My wife came in and she agreed, which is always nice, that the SC-1 sounded wonderful and was worth the expense.  I won't hesitate to buy more modules and I'm already gearing up to purchase the package of three. You make a really great-sounding pre.
 
Great sounding, quality product!
i'm up to (2) SC-1's, (2) X-12's, and a deal pending on (2) x-72's! i'll be sure to take a photo of my full lunchbox and send it to you or your site. i am really enjoying your pres, and i'd like to thank you for making a great sounding, quality product.
consider me a fan, and a member of the street team! - Roger L, USA
 
Awesome Design!
I bought an X-12 and iiked it so much that I had to get rid of my other peamp and replace it with another X-12.  Kudos on making such an awesome design, I look forward to outfitting my studio with some more of your other tonal options in the near future. - Justin H., USA
 

Latest News

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The Kit Revival

December 2008, MIX Magazine

By Eddie Ciletti. With the state of today's economy, it's hard to predict (or have confidence in) the days ahead. Looking into my silicon crystal ball, your passion for knowledge and the declining value of a dollar tell me there might be a D.I.Y. kit on your holiday gift list this year. And there are a lot of reasons to love these kits: They teach us almost as much about our retail gear as they do about D.I.Y.

 
SC-1 in MIX Mag
SC-1 Preamp in MIX magazine.
AUGUST 2008 issue

Field Test: Avant Electronics Avantone CK-40 Stereo Mic
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SC-1 in MIX Mag
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