Download PDF Assembly Guide

Note: The X-12 Mic Preamp Kit and X-12 500 Series have the same audio DNA, and audio path circuitry. This is just a small sampling of customer testimonials. To read more, click here.

I put the X-12 preamp and power supply together in my own 1U rack case. The whole project including machining the chassis was 9.5 hours. Easy to follow instructions and all parts were present. It sounds great on first power up and all functions work. I will be back for more. - Michael Whitney, whitneyamplification.com

Hey, just want to say thanks! I bought one of your X-12 lunchbox pre last month to try it out. I admit I didn't have high expectations due to it's low price, but when I finally got to try it out, WOW! Honestly, I didn't expect this high sound quality. It stands equal with my other pres costing twice as much. But it's the sound, man, it's the sound that matters and this X-12 has got the balls, you nailed it! It just sounds great! I just bought another X-12 a few minutes ago. When I get paid I'll try your X-72 next. Keep up the great work!

Hey Folks, I received my X-12mk500 preamp and wanted to say thanks for the fast shipping, and how great this thing sounds! Fantastic preamp!! - Dave Albro, Capricorn Sound Works, Nashville, TN

You make a damn nice sounding pre. In fact, you make at least 2. After a couple sessions with the X-12 and X-72 I've decided that I need a pair of each. With that in mind, could I repeat my last order of an X-12 and an X-72? Then all I have to do is decide if I fill the last 2 slots of my Lunchbox with PEQ-503s or MX5s. - Andrew M, Canada

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

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

Just got my pre-built X-12. 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

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.

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

I got the X-12's that I ordered hooked up last night and I did some experimenting. Well, I have good news, and I got bad news. The good news is they sound unbelievable! The bad news is they put the rest of my preamps to shame. I'm spoiled now. Man, I love these things. Thanks for all your hard work. - Daniel S., USA

Man, am I impressed by your kits!! Fell in love with the X-12 at my first listen.. Warm, big, punchy... Im glad you guys are out there!! Keep up the good work!! - Fredrik L, Sweden

I bought an X-12 about a month ago and i've finally gotten to play around with it a little bit and I have to say that it's killer on my snare with a Sennheiser e604. I'm actually selling my other preamp and I'm thinking of picking up some more of your units. - Roy H, Canada

I recieved your X-12 pre. It's a great sounding/looking pre. Sounded big, bottom end extended way down..! - Clinton, USA

After weeks of shopping around for the best preamp kits for the money, I finally settled on buying your preamps. Your lunch box pres look awesome and I like how the pres look when sitting together side-by-side. You also delivered on sound quality. Your X-12 pre sounds fantastic on all sources I've tried it. The SC-1 is also a cool workhorse preamp. I can always use it with anything, vocals, guitars, drums, perc. One of these days, I'll try your X-72mk500 preamp. :) Anyway, I just want to say thank you for providing these affordable but high quality kits to us. I look forward to future kits from Fivefish studios. Maybe a compressor next? :) - Daniel R., Canada

Anyway, I still love the X-12 preamps and use them almost exclusively to power my drum overhead mics when doing a kit, and also for just about any lead vocals recorded with the BLUE Kiwi microphone! They are totally great preamps. - http://www.wayoutweststudio.com

I just got an assembled X-12 pair in the mail today. Build quality is excellent. Not much time to mess around with them yet, but I did have a chance to check them out for a few minutes with an SM7B. The only other pres I have in the room at that moment are the pres on my Toft ATB. So I tried that first, and it sounded pretty good. Plugged in the X-12 to compare and HOLY S*** did it sound good. Huge and very detailed. I'm looking forward to putting some distorted gtr through it later tonight. I'm already thinking about picking up another pair, or maybe one of the X-72's. - posted on Gearslutz forum

Just wanted to give you a quick note about the X-12. It's in my nice 500 rack and almost every day up and running. Did some heavy band session checking it out on various instruments with different mics. I love the precision and fatness of the sound - different to all my other 500 pres, but in a positive way.

BTW your X-12 ROCKS. I really like the sound of this pre. I did some experiments with acoustic piano and condenser mics this past weekend... it is REALLY sweet! - Steve K., USA

Coming soon...