Non-pedal build: Ferrite DI

[raulduke]

Now this... http://www.hamptone.com/hvtp2_micpre.html

That is something I'd love to build. Problem is that it's like $1200 to buy the kit. Sorry, but at $600 a channel, I can happily make due with my Presonus pres. Unfortunately, like with most Pedal kits, we all know that the price doesn't actually reflect what we can do with our own sourcing. I also see that they haven't included their schematic anywhere, so I can't even do my own PCB and source my own parts.

Jacob

I looked into the studio diy gear route, and I'm not so sure its actually that cost effective (especially for me being in the UK).

I use one of these:



Coupled with one of these:


http://www.zenproaudio.com/search.aspx?manufacturer=86

I use them for everything I record (the DI also sounds sweet), they are relatively cheap in the studio gear world, and they sound fab (to my ears anyway).

Together they set me back just over £500.00

The differences between my Golden Age Preamp, and the preamps on my Motu soundcard (which are good quality preamps) are clearly audible.

The Golden Age Pre (a Neve 1073 clone basically) just makes things sound better!

[GrindCustoms]

Now this... http://www.hamptone.com/hvtp2_micpre.html

That is something I'd love to build. Problem is that it's like $1200 to buy the kit. Sorry, but at $600 a channel, I can happily make due with my Presonus pres. Unfortunately, like with most Pedal kits, we all know that the price doesn't actually reflect what we can do with our own sourcing. I also see that they haven't included their schematic anywhere, so I can't even do my own PCB and source my own parts.

Jacob

I looked into the studio diy gear route, and I'm not so sure its actually that cost effective (especially for me being in the UK).

I use one of these:



Coupled with one of these:


http://www.zenproaudio.com/search.aspx?manufacturer=86

I use them for everything I record (the DI also sounds sweet), they are relatively cheap in the studio gear world, and they sound fab (to my ears anyway).

Together they set me back just over £500.00

The differences between my Golden Age Preamp, and the preamps on my Motu soundcard (which are good quality preamps) are clearly audible.

The Golden Age Pre (a Neve 1073 clone basically) just makes things sound better!

That's what i was going to suggest, in Canada you can get the combo of these 2 for around 650$CAN shipped

[lincolnic]

I haven't used them firsthand, but I've heard that if you replace the transformers, the Golden Age pres really shine: http://www.recording-microphones.co.uk/GApre-73mic-preamp-mod.shtml

[raulduke]

I haven't tried any mods as the pre sounds fine to me; fantastic in fact.

I am a bit sceptical about the mods though; I think a lot of people want to believe it sounds better after shelling out a couple of hundred quid on some transformers.

Once you've forked out all that cash you could close enough buy a made in US/UK pre for not more much outlay.

I would highly recommend the GA73 pre+eq though if the Neve sound is what you are after (and who isn't  ).

I am thinking of buying another pre/eq combo to run stereo sources through (impart a bit of that analogue mojo).

Lovely DI box by the way. I built a Sowter Transformer (UK made) DI and it sounds great.

Maybe we can start a studio gear talk thread if enough of us guys are into this kind of thing???

[lincolnic]

Guys, let's completely start that thread. My Classic API kits arrived yesterday and I'm going to have the first one finished tomorrow.