DIY Mic Pre Kits, Lunchbox Mic Preamp Kits, Power Supply Kits

Hey everyone!

First of all, im new here and happy to have found this place, and i look forward to some constructive and helpful feedback from both sides!

I am currently an SAE Audio Engineer student in Geneva. Every student must present a work, subject of which is to be chosen by us, and i was thinking of building one of the many cool sounding mic preamps offered by the amazing FiveFish team.

I have questions regarding my endeavor, such as are they hard to build? Which one would be good for a beginner? I have already had "welding" class in school where we repaired cables, but i've never done or thought of doing anything like this.

One thing is for sure that these preamps sound absolutely amazing, with a nice charming and colourful tone that they give.

I posted this message on this particular forum, but it applies for all the stuff offered here.

Thanks in advance for any replies...

all the best,

Funky

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Macbook
Mbox 2mini
PT 8
SAE Geneva Audio Engineer Student

Funky, thanks for your post.

All of our kits come with complete, step-by-step instructions on how to build them. All parts are labeled and organized in little zip bags, so even someone without much experience with resistor color coding, or capacitor markup coding, can identify components with ease.

In addition, components are clearly marked on the PCB silkscreen on which part goes where, and the correct polarity orientation if applicable. So it's hard to mess assembly with these kits.

The key to making a successful project is in your soldering skills. Use just enough solder to get the job done. Use a fine tip point, and work carefully and make sure the part is being inserted in the right location.

If all else fails, we're available to assist you to make your preamp work in case you give up on it. You can send it back and for a small fee, we can complete your work, fix your work or redo your work using brand new boards and parts. Either way, you won't end up with a non-working FiveFish kit.

Thanks!

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Hey there owel!

Thanks for the quick reply!

I think im gona go for it then, it's funny because i found audio electronics class to be the least interesting(although clearly important), and never imagined doing this, but i must say the idea of building your own preamp (ok, even if you didn't really design it or anything) which as i mentioned has a kick ass sound, is quite irresistible!

I will read around and see what interesting stuff people are up to!

Thanks again!

Funky

_________________
Macbook
Mbox 2mini
PT 8
SAE Geneva Audio Engineer Student

Well a few questions did come to mind after a lot of reading around the website.

What exactly would i have to order to get a properly working preamp?

PSU? VU? The kit? does it have to be ordered separately or does every preamp kit come with everything is needs?

Another question is in regards to deciding which preamp to buy. I have listened to all the audio clips, and it all sounded good, but i still didn't get the sense of which one would be right for me!

_________________
Macbook
Mbox 2mini
PT 8
SAE Geneva Audio Engineer Student

Funky,

If you want to get the SC-1mk2 model, you can fit 4 channels in a 1u rack. But you don't have any VU meters.

If you want to get the X-12 model, you can fit 2 channels in a 1u rack, and you get VU meters.

Both the SC-1mk2 and X-12 have different sound, the X-12 is a bit more expensive too since it has both input and output transformers, more relays, more switches, bigger board, etc.



All the kit comes with everything you need. The X12 kit for example includes all the knobs, and VU meters and XLR jacks. The SC1mk2 kit includes all the knobs and XLR jacks (no VU meters).

The PSU and Power Transformer kit includes all the fuse, power switch, transformer mounting kit, etc.

Let me know which model you want to build and I'll be able to tell you what product combinations to order.

I also have packaged deals... for bigger savings. For example, order (2) of the X12 and get the PSU and Power Transformer Kit for FREE.

The SC-1 is clean and clear preamp. The X-12 is more inspired by an API design with both input and output trafos. The SC-1 with an input transformer is still clean and clear but some beefiness added to the low end and silkier highs.

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