|
|
Post by deehope on Mar 6, 2014 16:23:10 GMT -6
Hey guys, I've been interested in diy for years now. I've even bought the tools and have had them sitting here for years. I just keep talking myself out of it. I'm finally ready to take the leap. I want to build something that I would actually use. Something easy enough to learn on but something I would genuinely use.
Here's a list of gear I eventually want to build. He'll I even have broken headphones and cables that I wouldn't mind being able to fix.
PRR 176
SA3A or JLM la500
D - U67
EZ1084
VC528
I'm guessing none of these are beginners builds, so can you recommend what I can practice with to build up to one of these? And which one of these would be easiest? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by unit7 on Mar 6, 2014 16:35:25 GMT -6
I'd start with a build with a detailed build manual. Really detailed. Like Chunger's build diaries at GDIY. I started that way (with a few builds from TB audio with SUPER build manuals) and learned so much, and the builds were successful which of course is encouraging.
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on Mar 6, 2014 16:49:54 GMT -6
Thanks for the response. What did u end up building from tb? The 550a looks sweeeet! Did u know how to solder?
|
|
|
|
Post by unit7 on Mar 6, 2014 17:17:22 GMT -6
Started w the TB chorus, which is perhaps not a beginner's kit but it worked and I went on with five 550As and six CAPI LC53As, and more after that, so I'm an addict now! Re soldering my - otherwise quite strict - father showed me and my older brother how a soldering iron works at far too young age, I think I was like 4 years old... Then when I started playing in bands in the teens I soldered all my TRS cables. Then went on and to avoid droves of cables laying around in my home soldered all cables in proper lengths for a few versions of my home studios. Almost no experience soldering components to PCBs I checked a few guides on YouTube to get me started. You could start with a few resistors that are less sensitive to heat. After like 10-15 resistors you'll get it. But check those guides first and learn about temperature and keeping things clean etc. Shouldn't be harder than learning how to glue.
|
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Mar 6, 2014 21:17:18 GMT -6
Hey guys, I've been interested in diy for years now. I've even bought the tools and have had them sitting here for years. I just keep talking myself out of it. I'm finally ready to take the leap. I want to build something that I would actually use. Something easy enough to learn on but something I would genuinely use. Here's a list of gear I eventually want to build. He'll I even have broken headphones and cables that I wouldn't mind being able to fix. PRR 176 SA3A or JLM la500 D - U67 EZ1084 VC528 I'm guessing none of these are beginners builds, so can you recommend what I can practice with to build up to one of these? And which one of these would be easiest? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Cool dee, build Bo Hansen DI, it's a legendary active direct box that sounds better than just about EVERYTHING out there, including the expensive stuff! I think the cost is well under $100 total pcbgrinder.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=73 |
|
|
|
Post by deehope on Mar 6, 2014 21:21:35 GMT -6
So this would be the equivalent to the radial?? If so that's a perfect first build. Thanks man
|
|
|
|
Post by horvitz on Mar 7, 2014 4:31:11 GMT -6
Make sure to check out the stuff at diyrecordingequipment.com too. Something like their re-amp makes a fantastic first kit.
|
|
|
|
Post by tonycamphd on Mar 7, 2014 9:25:36 GMT -6
So this would be the equivalent to the radial?? If so that's a perfect first build. Thanks man I have both, radial is always a third choice(stereo Bo Hansen), for bass it's amazing |
|
|
|
Post by dandeurloo on Mar 9, 2014 12:08:41 GMT -6
The Bo Hanson is great. The ez1084 is really great sounding and a great first project. Easy to source parts, and good build info. Let me know if you have any other questions.
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on Mar 11, 2014 19:48:15 GMT -6
The Bo Hanson is great. The ez1084 is really great sounding and a great first project. Easy to source parts, and good build info. Let me know if you have any other questions. wow.. The 1084 is easy enough as a first build? Thats good to know. I think I priced that build out to $750. Do u carry a case for the sa3a? |
|
|
|
Post by dandeurloo on Mar 11, 2014 21:25:45 GMT -6
I have the chassis and I think Mike at Serpent may still have a few of my front panels. Maybe check with him if you don't already have the PCB's and stuff.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 7:51:17 GMT -6
I would strongly recommend to build a Bo Hansen DI as a first project, too.
It is low parts count, gives a very rewarding experience in a short time and motivates to build further devices.
If you have an appropriate transformer, you could start it in no time, finish the build in one day, you do not even need a PCB, it can be made point2point without problems.
You get a very good sounding device that does not even need to build a PSU, you get first experience with a discrete, transformer balanced design, and the unit will most probably get used alot and therefore has a very good value for your studio and you will never regret building it.
A similar rewarding project would have been the "Green Pre", another classic that offers great performance, high usability, very affordable cost and also is a great motivation boost for further projects.
In my opinion, building something, that most probably will work on the first attempt, does not need complex calibration, a design that is even forgiving regarding parts choices, and builds up motivation, is very important in regard of future DIY projects.
A positive first experience will encourage you greatly to go on and build any of the devices you had on your list.
You can't go wrong with one of the highly recommended "first project" classics before starting more complex builds.
Try to see it as an important intermediate step to get a good start into pro audio DIY....
Best regards,
Martin
|
|
|
|
Post by deehope on Mar 12, 2014 10:03:35 GMT -6
Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it. The Di will definitly be my first project. How does that green pre compare to an ssl preamp. I'd actually love to build and ssl style pre for makeup gain for a summing amp. What's the difficulty level of those ssl 9k pres and a summing rack?
|
|
|
|
Post by kevinnyc on Mar 12, 2014 13:21:56 GMT -6
My 1st and only build to date was a CAPI VP28. I had no prior experience with a soldering iron or a multimeter...
It was great overcoming the fear and completing the build in one day...
I don't think I'd start with a vc528, but you can't go wrong with any CAPI kits!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 17:26:59 GMT -6
The "Green Pre" is a DIY project classic based on the AMEK Mozart / 9098 pre and offers exceptionally good clean and good sounding performance with up to 70dB amplification as a transformerless micpre based on standard NE5532 opamps. It is pretty near to the concept of the green Focusrite channel strip design's pre. It is really cheap to build, uses easily obtainable parts only and offers excellent value/cost ratio. There have been several revisions and versions in the DIY community. I built the first revision as one of my first projects from ground up, including self-etching the PCB, and it was a very rewarding project in many ways, i learned very much from it. It took quite a bit more time to get finished but was fully worth it. I was blown away by what this pre was offering for what i invested in terms of time and money. Here is a builder/user review from the first version brought up by peterc over at GDIY: groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=8080 |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2014 17:36:54 GMT -6
But well, it is sort of clean Neve-ish, if you like this, it is for you.
SSL 9k is something different...
Edit: But....the 9k is also aimed at the goal of clean amplification with standard opamps - so, they play in the same league technically and most probably in terms of sound. I.e. clean. Parts choices might make even more difference than the both topologies.
Personally, i always thought, well, if DIYing something, i want to built pre's from desks that are known to sound good or original designs.
Well, and the classic SSL is the 4000 series. And it's bus compressor is the most characteristic part of it.
I did not really get the point in doing the 9000 pres for DIY, at first, but surely it is a usable "just clean" pre, too.
|
|
