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Post by mrholmes on Aug 31, 2014 10:04:32 GMT -6
I ask myself what would be the easiest DIY project which I can handle in my spare time.
It is 25 years ago taht I was an active ham-radio freak.
I still can read schematic-diagrams.
I still do have my soldering iron and a circuit analyzer.
Should not be to difficult because a first sense of success is important to me.
Thanks…
Holmes….
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Post by tonycamphd on Aug 31, 2014 11:29:44 GMT -6
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2014 12:04:04 GMT -6
+1 for Bo's DI.
It couldn't get easier to build a piece of very high quality gear that pays off instantly. Very high reward factor, low parts count, easy build.
For those, who want much more challenge,
The Green Pre (one of the versions, an Amek Mozart/ 9098 type of chip opamp pre) could be it. For me it was the very first version, home-etching the PCB, stuffing, assembling and following Wow-factor: "Unreal - did i really just build something that sounds so good?"
Or the Gyraf GSSL. Original board is a bit challenging because some areas are a bit crowded with parts.
But Bo Hansen's DI is a real no-brainer, highly recommended.
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Post by kevinnyc on Sept 8, 2014 6:30:14 GMT -6
CAPI vp26 or vp312
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Post by svart on Sept 8, 2014 8:37:19 GMT -6
I think any guitar pedal kit is a good project. It's usually pretty easy to build in an hour or so and be able to test right away, with the added benefit that they usually encompass a little of everything you'll need to know later. Mechanical stuff, electrical stuff, painting, etc. You get to experience a little of everything and it makes you much less apprehensive about it on larger projects later.
Preamps are a little harder, mainly because they are more intricate.
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Post by kevinnyc on Sept 9, 2014 8:52:08 GMT -6
My 1st build was a vp28, without ever having picked up a soldering iron...hugely rewarding and gave me the confidence to embark on a 24 channel API summing mixer build. (Though I'm questioning my wisdom...28 2520 op amps are testing my ADHD in a major way...
I am in need of some cool guitar pedals though so I think I'll build a couple to break the monotony of the op amps....
I'm a huge fan of diy now though....it is saving me serious money with my terrible gear affliction.
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Post by btreim on Sept 16, 2014 12:32:05 GMT -6
What transformers did you guys end up using in your Bo Hansens? tonycamphd @smallbutfine? |
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Post by tonycamphd on Sept 16, 2014 13:26:47 GMT -6
What transformers did you guys end up using in your Bo Hansens? tonycamphd @smallbutfine? I did a lot of asking around, everyone said the Haufe sounded great and was cheap, after the inquiries, i heard a comparison somewhere and it sold me on getting the Haufe's |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2014 13:32:53 GMT -6
What transformers did you guys end up using in your Bo Hansens? tonycamphd @smallbutfine? I ended up using the LL1538, but that time nobody tried the Haufe, so i would recommend using this one - i only heard excellent reviews of it in this circuit - and it is much cheaper. |
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Post by btreim on Sept 16, 2014 14:09:01 GMT -6
I was hoping ya'll would say that  Thanks, fellas! |
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Post by Gustav on Sept 26, 2014 9:24:22 GMT -6
Ive tried all three.
In my experience, the Haufe is the one you'll forget when she's out the door, the Lundahl is the one you will respect and build a life with in the long run, and the OEP is the one you'd like to spend your youths winter nights with, but you wouldn't want to grow old with.
I am talking about transformers...
Gustav
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2014 11:18:57 GMT -6
^
Listen to the guy with the PCBs for sale and the philosophy for free.
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Post by tonycamphd on Sept 26, 2014 13:16:13 GMT -6
Ive tried all three. In my experience, the Haufe is the one you'll forget when she's out the door, the Lundahl is the one you will respect and build a life with in the long run, and the OEP is the one you'd like to spend your youths winter nights with, but you wouldn't want to grow old with. I am talking about transformers... Gustav funny! i love a guy who speaks of his gear with the same reverence(or lack there of) as his ladies 8) |
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Post by Guitar on Sept 28, 2014 22:13:01 GMT -6
wow glad I checked in. I was thinking Haufe but now I'm thinking Lundahl.
agree with svart's reasons a guitar pedal is a great place to start.
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Post by tonycamphd on Sept 29, 2014 19:47:57 GMT -6
wow glad I checked in. I was thinking Haufe but now I'm thinking Lundahl. agree with svart's reasons a guitar pedal is a great place to start. id like to hear a comparison of all three?? I also would like to get a Zod audio tube DI 8) |
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Post by bassmanant on Oct 13, 2014 8:35:28 GMT -6
I just ordered a pair of vp26s for my first foray into DIY  |
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 13, 2014 18:35:59 GMT -6
I just ordered a pair of vp26s for my first foray into DIY cool man, welcome to the forum, and welcome to the coolest addiction anyone could have 8) The Capi stuff is so badass it's silly. |
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Post by kevinnyc on Oct 13, 2014 20:55:58 GMT -6
Excellent choice!
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Post by bassmanant on Oct 14, 2014 15:37:09 GMT -6
So, I have heard that the op amps can be a bit tricky, should I tackle them second? Is there any tips for a noob?
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Post by kevinnyc on Oct 15, 2014 6:32:21 GMT -6
I'm in the process of building 28 op amps. I had to ruin a few to get the process down...
It's real tight and there are plenty of opportunities for solder to go where you don't want it to....and it's real difficult to fix any mistakes if you make them...luckily it's only a $17 hit if you fuck up.
A good iron, small tips and solder are a really good idea.
I didn't start tackling them until I successfully completed several 500 series modules and I'm glad I got that experience under my belt first.
All that said, now that I have 17 or so under my belt I'm rather enjoying building them...the build documentation is real good and if you can patiently follow directions (and have neurosurgeon skills) you should have no troubles...
Oh, also...one of those stands with the holding clips on it is a necessity. I think I paid $8-$10 for mine.
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Post by tonycamphd on Oct 15, 2014 15:06:35 GMT -6
I've built around 30 of these, no problem, 1731's and 2520's, I messed up on a couple parts here and there, but fixed em no problem, there are 2 tools that every DIY guy should own, a magnifying lamp, and the hakko 808, they make small parts big, and the inevitable mistakes easy to fix.
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Post by Guitar on Oct 15, 2014 17:24:20 GMT -6
man I've been wanting an 808 for a long time... really needed it by now... just haven't pulled the trigger. it would help so much.
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Post by scumbum on Oct 15, 2014 23:54:28 GMT -6
So, I have heard that the op amps can be a bit tricky, should I tackle them second? Is there any tips for a noob? Get a magnifying glass to make sure none of your joints are touching , unless they are supposed to . Also a spool of solder that is thin because you only need a really small amount and a thin tip on your iron helps . I'd finish the mic pres first then do the op amps last . its a lot of fun to build this stuff , it gets addicting and you'll wanna build more and more ! |
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Post by bluenoise on Dec 9, 2014 20:03:02 GMT -6
I started with this.. store.diyrecordingequipment.com/line2amp-passive-re-amplifier-kit/Trully as easy as it gets. And it's something really handy to have in the studio. If you dont have the need for a reamp box, Capi stuff is so well documented that it leaves pretty much all guessing aside. Opamps are a bit harder, but if i could anyone can. Mark my words. It gets addictive. Fast. |
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Post by jayson on Dec 20, 2014 10:53:22 GMT -6
So, I have heard that the op amps can be a bit tricky, should I tackle them second? Is there any tips for a noob? There's always the option of purchasing op amps pre-built which isn't a bad idea if you're just getting started. Probably going to be worth the extra $40 or $50 at least until you have your sea-legs. Like building anything, once you have some experience under your belt it gets a lot easier. Not so much that DOAs are that difficult to build, but the 2520 footprint can be pretty close quarters to work in and it can get a bit tedious, especially if you're just starting to refine your soldering technique. I'd say check out Scott Liebler's Red or Blue Dots or John Hardy 990c+. Then, once you are a bit more confident, it might make more sense to roll your own. |
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