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Post by ChaseUTB on May 18, 2017 4:20:28 GMT -6
So, how does the story end? Were you able to get this working? This is exactly the scenario that has me thinking that I should just pay for real API gear. I would be worried that I would mess up a build and have something cost a few hundred bucks but does not work. Not to criticize ... but the capi-gear website is not exactly user/newbie friendly either. I would have expected some youtube videos of builds, etc ... maybe I missed them? Anyway for the moment I will be staying away - due to doubts about my own ability to do a build, not the quality of a properly built unit which is vouched for on this and other forums. Or have a professional tech build them? Lots of them offer this service... The CAPI site used to have a link to another site who of a builder who built the kits that CAPI recommends and certifies the work... You could order the kits and have them sent straight l to the tech's address. Also, from following some of these CAPI threads it seems techs know about CAPI gear and some stock the kits and build to order 😀 |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 14,921 
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Post by ericn on May 18, 2017 6:33:43 GMT -6
So, how does the story end? Were you able to get this working? This is exactly the scenario that has me thinking that I should just pay for real API gear. I would be worried that I would mess up a build and have something cost a few hundred bucks but does not work. Not to criticize ... but the capi-gear website is not exactly user/newbie friendly either. I would have expected some youtube videos of builds, etc ... maybe I missed them? Anyway for the moment I will be staying away - due to doubts about my own ability to do a build, not the quality of a properly built unit which is vouched for on this and other forums. Don't let problem builds discourage you, builders learn more from their mistakes than perfect builds. I have admitted multiple times that I built a VP26 that would not pass audio only to realize months later I had the mute engaged! If your going to own a studio you need to know as much as you can about the inner workings of your gear, it never goes down during down time, and finding a good tech is hard enough affording him is another story. Yes you can buy API ready to go, but if you want the meaty sound of the classics your either buying CAPI or modding API. If you still don't want to try and build , go with one of the builders you can find around the net! I will say this there is a greater sense of ownership and confidence with anything you build, be it a wall, cable or preamp. Do remember I can do this with a whole 7 normal fingers, so if you take your time read twice & mesure twice it shouldn't be that difficult. |
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Post by javamad on May 18, 2017 6:47:31 GMT -6
I will say this there is a greater sense of ownership and confidence with anything you build, be it a wall, cable or preamp. Yes. I had not held a soldering iron for over 30 years but I made up 6 cables last weekend and I was strutting around the house very proud :-) |
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Post by Johnkenn on May 18, 2017 6:54:32 GMT -6
So, how does the story end? Were you able to get this working? This is exactly the scenario that has me thinking that I should just pay for real API gear. I would be worried that I would mess up a build and have something cost a few hundred bucks but does not work. Not to criticize ... but the capi-gear website is not exactly user/newbie friendly either. I would have expected some youtube videos of builds, etc ... maybe I missed them? Anyway for the moment I will be staying away - due to doubts about my own ability to do a build, not the quality of a properly built unit which is vouched for on this and other forums. I don't think it has ever been intended for the absolute beginner like you and me - so I don't think we can blame a manufacturer for offering a better product than API in kit form just because we don't know how to take advantage of it. I had no problem with the 312 - which is an easier build. I also built the lc25 and it worked out of the gate. |
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Post by Johnkenn on May 18, 2017 7:01:41 GMT -6
Can't believe I haven't updated this. Anyway, the problem apparently was some flux that was shorting to ground. Jeff sold me some more resistors for the fader section and I unsoldered and replaced. Then noticed a bunch of shiny goo that was here and there. I honestly always thought it was from me doing something wrong like the iron was too hot and I was melting the freaking board or something. But it was flux. I could run the iron over it and it would burn away. I started the build with some cheaper radio shack solder but ended with some Kester Solder.
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Post by Johnkenn on May 18, 2017 7:07:17 GMT -6
So, how does the story end? Were you able to get this working? This is exactly the scenario that has me thinking that I should just pay for real API gear. I would be worried that I would mess up a build and have something cost a few hundred bucks but does not work. Not to criticize ... but the capi-gear website is not exactly user/newbie friendly either. I would have expected some youtube videos of builds, etc ... maybe I missed them? Anyway for the moment I will be staying away - due to doubts about my own ability to do a build, not the quality of a properly built unit which is vouched for on this and other forums. I don't think it has ever been intended for the absolute beginner like you and me - so I don't think we can blame a manufacturer for offering a better product than API in kit form just because we don't know how to take advantage of it. I had no problem with the 312 - which is an easier build. I also built the lc25 and it worked out of the gate. Just re-read. If you're already soldering up cables, you had a LOT more experience than I did coming in. But as someone said, look on eBay or the Facebook group Pensadia gear exchange. Billy Pratt sells them build for like $490 and he's the lead tech for another pro audio company so his builds are flawless. I have to be honest - you'd be crazy to buy API when there's a superior product out there for 30-40% less. |
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Post by jcoutu1 on May 18, 2017 7:41:09 GMT -6
But as someone said, look on eBay or the Facebook group Pensadia gear exchange. Billy Pratt sells them build for like $490 and he's the lead tech for another pro audio company so his builds are flawless. I have a buddy that purchased Billy built preamps and swears by them. |
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Post by ChaseUTB on May 18, 2017 23:55:30 GMT -6
But as someone said, look on eBay or the Facebook group Pensadia gear exchange. Billy Pratt sells them build for like $490 and he's the lead tech for another pro audio company so his builds are flawless. I have a buddy that purchased Billy built preamps and swears by them. Hey bro which CAPI pre amp for Vox do you use ? For my voice and other mostly male Vox... |
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Post by ChaseUTB on May 18, 2017 23:58:59 GMT -6
Can some of you CAPI heads school this youngin on the preamps? Which ones for what do you prefer? What are they comparable too? I'm an API noob, I have never used real API gear, and want to learn a bit more... links/ opinions and experience wanted 😀!
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Post by jcoutu1 on May 19, 2017 4:54:59 GMT -6
I have a buddy that purchased Billy built preamps and swears by them. Hey bro which CAPI pre amp for Vox do you use ? For my voice and other mostly male Vox... I don't own any CAPI. I tried to score one on Reverb the other day, but someone paid asking price while I had an offer in. I'm mostly using Neve style on vox. Everyone swears by the VP28's though. |
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Post by Johnkenn on May 19, 2017 7:01:16 GMT -6
Yeah. Definitely the VP28 with Litz transformer. Days and days of headroom. Big and thick and a little brighter on top than Neve.
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Post by sll on May 19, 2017 7:45:58 GMT -6
Glad you got it going John. Certain types of flux can be conductive and cause all sorts of issues. The good old Kester rosin core can leave some ugly residue, but I've never had problems with that stuff. I've opened up old 1176's to find the rosin flux caked all over the joints on high impedance parts of the circuit. No issues. I did chase a similar ghost years ago with organic core flux. Didn't get it washed off well enough and things didn't work right.
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