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Post by bluegrassdan on May 17, 2020 16:31:36 GMT -6
The votes are in: realgearonline.com/thread/11330/which-features-preamp-channel-stripFirst, let me thank so many of you for giving your advice. I appreciate all the feedback. In terms of tube preamp, the majority of you seem to want: t wo channels, high pass filter, a basic tone-shaping EQ, 1/4" DI. Some seemed to like the opto compressor and others want just a bit more than 65dB of gain.
After designing for the past couple of days, and with your ideas in mind, here is a first draft.
It pretty much speaks for itself:
- 65db of gain (it says 63, but that will change)
- Output Trim knob - detented (this will attenuate clockwise from "0", but it may also boost by maybe 5-10dB using residual gain from the EQ makeup)
- EQ LO: CCW=high pass at 70, 100, 150, 200, and 300; CW=stepped 2dB gain at 60Hz
- EQ MID FREQ: 210Hz, 340Hz, 700Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, and 7.2kHz. 2dB stepped gain/atten.
- EQ HI: hi shelf at 10kHz. 2dB stepped gain/atten
- 1/4" DI - direct to V1 grid.
- The basics: 48v, -20dB Pad, polarity.
- External power supply for low noise operation.
Any thoughts regarding this layout? Anything you think should be added/omitted? Suggestions?
Thanks for everyone's help! Y'all are great.
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Post by mulmany on May 17, 2020 16:53:46 GMT -6
Is the DI selected via switching Jack?
I have a preference for DI switches, so gear can be left patched in, but switched easily. Not that plugging and unplugging cables is hard, but then they are left to dangle!
What price are we looking at here?
Layout looks great. Maybe insert the low cut freq in the step positions.
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 17, 2020 20:02:30 GMT -6
It is a DI switching jack. But anything is possible at this point.
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Post by Johnkenn on May 17, 2020 20:11:13 GMT -6
That’s pretty damn sexy
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Post by jacobamerritt on May 17, 2020 20:21:36 GMT -6
Having an LED for the phantom power would be really nice.
Kinda reminds me of the Ridge Farm Industries Gas Cooker.
Excited to see the final product!
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Post by Blackdawg on May 17, 2020 21:27:22 GMT -6
Whats the Lo EQ HPF? 6dB per octave? Bit odd to just have it change the freq and not be notes on the face plate, but be hard to fit that in. It's a cool idea though instead of just -2dB steps at 60Hz.
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 18, 2020 0:51:03 GMT -6
Whats the Lo EQ HPF? 6dB per octave? Bit odd to just have it change the freq and not be notes on the face plate, but be hard to fit that in. It's a cool idea though instead of just -2dB steps at 60Hz. Here are sweeps of the LO and HI shelves/HPF. -6dB per octave on the HPF. The other way you can look at it is reducing the lows at 100Hz in -2dB steps (roughly speaking). This is essentially how I feel it works in practice. Too bassy? Twist it CCW until it sounds right. Rather than surgically identifying the frequency. I must say, the fixed 60Hz boost, which relies on a 10H Carnhill inductor, is delightfully thunderous!  |
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Post by Blackdawg on May 18, 2020 1:49:45 GMT -6
Whats the Lo EQ HPF? 6dB per octave? Bit odd to just have it change the freq and not be notes on the face plate, but be hard to fit that in. It's a cool idea though instead of just -2dB steps at 60Hz. Here are sweeps of the LO and HI shelves/HPF. -6dB per octave on the HPF. The other way you can look at it is reducing the lows at 100Hz in -2dB steps (roughly speaking). This is essentially how I feel it works in practice. Too bassy? Twist it CCW until it sounds right. Rather than surgically identifying the frequency. I must say, the fixed 60Hz boost, which relies on a 10H Carnhill inductor, is delightfully thunderous! Looks great. Super broad. How broad is the mid section? Gotta be some interesting interplay happening with all 3 bands active. |
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Post by bricejchandler on May 18, 2020 4:44:10 GMT -6
I think it looks great!
The only thing I would really like to see is a DI through output.
That little feature is always missing on preamps and channel strips and I'm not sure why, it doesn't seem like something that would add that much to the cost!
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Post by mrholmes on May 18, 2020 5:59:45 GMT -6
Looks great but my brain needs to get a more clean picture on which channels Nr. 1 / 2.
I modern day home recording I find it also very useful if all mic pres had cut switch for the output.
It's annoying to do it in different software windows when using direct monitoring, hitting a switch is fast and easy to do.
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Post by jamiesego on May 18, 2020 6:17:19 GMT -6
If it’s going to be a two channel with EQ it would be great if it could handle line level. I could imagine using it on busses or the master buss.
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 18, 2020 7:33:42 GMT -6
Here are sweeps of the LO and HI shelves/HPF. -6dB per octave on the HPF. The other way you can look at it is reducing the lows at 100Hz in -2dB steps (roughly speaking). This is essentially how I feel it works in practice. Too bassy? Twist it CCW until it sounds right. Rather than surgically identifying the frequency. I must say, the fixed 60Hz boost, which relies on a 10H Carnhill inductor, is delightfully thunderous! Looks great. Super broad. How broad is the mid section? Gotta be some interesting interplay happening with all 3 bands active. The mid section is quite broad, and there is some interesting interplay when you start cranking knobs. |
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 18, 2020 7:36:17 GMT -6
If it’s going to be a two channel with EQ it would be great if it could handle line level. I could imagine using it on busses or the master buss. That has been a consideration and would add a bit more cost with additional transformers and switches. But maybe it’s worth it. |
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Post by the other mark williams on May 18, 2020 8:48:19 GMT -6
If it’s going to be a two channel with EQ it would be great if it could handle line level. I could imagine using it on busses or the master buss. That has been a consideration and would add a bit more cost with additional transformers and switches. But maybe it’s worth it. i bet it would sound awesome on the 2-bus... |
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 18, 2020 15:06:00 GMT -6
Let's call this "Version 02." Added "Line" switch and removed the output attenuator. To be honest, I was hesitant about adding the output attenuator for fear of adding too much to the signal path and screwing with impedance matching at that stage. It's been a ton of work getting the specs where they are. I could have my mind changed, but it will take more prototyping and head scratching. I do realize the usefulness of post-EQ level control, but so many of the great EQs don't even have them. Plus the front panel looks better without it.  Back at it... |
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Post by Johnkenn on May 19, 2020 15:35:36 GMT -6
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 19, 2020 20:10:28 GMT -6
I'm gonna report you to the owner of this operation.
...wait...
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Post by chessparov on May 20, 2020 14:36:23 GMT -6
The votes are in: realgearonline.com/thread/11330/which-features-preamp-channel-stripFirst, let me thank so many of you for giving your advice. I appreciate all the feedback. In terms of tube preamp, the majority of you seem to want: t wo channels, high pass filter, a basic tone-shaping EQ, 1/4" DI. Some seemed to like the opto compressor and others want just a bit more than 65dB of gain.
After designing for the past couple of days, and with your ideas in mind, here is a first draft.
View Attachment
It pretty much speaks for itself:
- 65db of gain (it says 63, but that will change)
- Output Trim knob - detented (this will attenuate clockwise from "0", but it may also boost by maybe 5-10dB using residual gain from the EQ makeup)
- EQ LO: CCW=high pass at 70, 100, 150, 200, and 300; CW=stepped 2dB gain at 60Hz
- EQ MID FREQ: 210Hz, 340Hz, 700Hz, 1.6kHz, 3.2kHz, 4.8kHz, and 7.2kHz. 2dB stepped gain/atten.
- EQ HI: hi shelf at 10kHz. 2dB stepped gain/atten
- 1/4" DI - direct to V1 grid.
- The basics: 48v, -20dB Pad, polarity.
- External power supply for low noise operation.
Any thoughts regarding this layout? Anything you think should be added/omitted? Suggestions?
Thanks for everyone's help! Y'all are great.
The "Producer final mix" dial. Which actually does nothing. Just like they did for Murray Wilson, when he visited Beach Boys recording sessions!  Make it a bright red color though, so it looks important. Chris |
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Post by audioscape on May 20, 2020 19:15:20 GMT -6
BRAVO! This looks AMAZING man!! Stoked to see what the final product ends up looking and sounding like!
Quick Q - what are you using to do the front panel renders? They look FANTASTIC!! I'd like to learn a better way to do potential front panel mock-ups than just using Photoshop and hacking stuff together using photos of knobs, switches, etc to see how different layouts will look.
It's effective for in-house use but not SUPER pretty, hahaha.
Keep up the GREAT work!!!
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 20, 2020 22:41:43 GMT -6
Sorry to disappoint, but this was all done in Photoshop with photos of knobs and switches.
I then export vector layers out via Illustrator. It's just the way I do it.
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 20, 2020 22:47:14 GMT -6
Besides, all of your projects look showroom ready!
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Post by bluegrassdan on May 21, 2020 12:37:51 GMT -6
Ok, children. Here's one more question. What are your thoughts about this emblem? Honesty appreciated.   |
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Post by Ward on May 21, 2020 14:16:34 GMT -6
It looks beautiful and perfect! I'm certain it will sound the same!!
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Post by chessparov on May 21, 2020 14:17:20 GMT -6
Agree!!
Chris
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Post by mrholmes on May 21, 2020 19:11:16 GMT -6
First logo looks more classic. Also would love to see rough frequency numbers on the EQ knobs, and a symbol for the hpf. This may sounds crazy for you but I do need some visual report. But that's just me.... |
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