Building studio gear (compressors/preamps)

[jtn191]

Hey, has anybody tried building studio gear or using pedals on tracks? My 5 knob Engineer's thumb seems to work pretty well on drums...might try optical designs. I bet the Earthquaker Warden compressor would be good...

I've been eyeing the FETBoy preamp over at groupdiy, but the transformers/power supply has made me put it off. Somebody adapted the Redd 47 preamp into an fet design, looks really cool...

[Leevibe]

I've thought about building a DIY mic pre. It would be fun to have something Neve-ish.

[oldhousescott]

Back when I was part owner of a small recording studio, my partner and I built several pieces (what actually got me started in DIY). Part of that list includes:

-- LA2A compressors using the original UREI T4B modules and UTC transformers.
-- Pultec EQP-1A eq (Gyraf variant)
-- SSL talkback mix buss compressor
-- RCA BC-2B two channel mic pre using original RCA modules
-- Altec 1566A two channel mic pre clone
-- Langevin AM16 two channel mic pre using original Langevin modules

Then I started building guitar amps, after that pedals (thank you Brian!)

[oldhousescott]

Also, pedals can be used on tracks, but there may be an issue with signal levels, particularly when used as insert effects. Inserts are usually at line levels, whereas most stomp boxes are designed for instrument level use and can be readily overdriven at line levels. You might want to look at an Ebtech Line-Level Shifter for matching levels between the insert and the pedal.

[jkokura]

Lincolnlc is the guy you want to pop into this thread.

Jacob

[peAk]

Also, pedals can be used on tracks, but there may be an issue with signal levels, particularly when used as insert effects. Inserts are usually at line levels, whereas most stomp boxes are designed for instrument level use and can be readily overdriven at line levels. You might want to look at an Ebtech Line-Level Shifter for matching levels between the insert and the pedal.

I just bought one of these for that reason. Works like a charm.

[lincolnic]

Lincolnlc is the guy you want to pop into this thread.

Jacob

You rang? 

Yeah, I've built a handful of mic pres for my studio, as well as some reamps and DIs and the like. I actually made a couple of build reports here for my mic pre builds, the Classic API VP28 (thread here: http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=10484.0) and the Hairball Audio Lola (http://www.madbeanpedals.com/forum/index.php?topic=11069.0).

If you're looking for some simple builds in a relatively small form factor, it's hard to go wrong with 500-series stuff. You will have to get a Lunchbox or other similar rack/power supply, but as far as studio gear goes that's not a huge investment.

I've considered doing the Hairball 1176 kits a couple of times (especially a 500-series one to stick in my Lunchbox), but every studio where I work has 1176s, so I haven't had a real need for it yet.

[stecykmi]

i want to build a SSL Bus compressor some time soon. The circuit is pretty simple and there are plenty of resources online about it. I have plans to build a 1178 (stereo 1176) if that goes well, but it goes second as it's a bit more expensive because it uses transformers on the output stage.

[jkokura]

On and off I'd wanted to build myself some studio gear, however I'm not really sure what I'd build. I'm satisfied with the in-the-box plugins I use, and I'm not sure I really have the ability to sink much money into a bunch of outboard gear that I don't have a good setup for using.

I like DIY, but this stuff costs more like guitar amps, but it would be used way less than a guitar amp would be.

Jacob

[peAk]

On and off I'd wanted to build myself some studio gear, however I'm not really sure what I'd build. I'm satisfied with the in-the-box plugins I use, and I'm not sure I really have the ability to sink much money into a bunch of outboard gear that I don't have a good setup for using.

I like DIY, but this stuff costs more like guitar amps, but it would be used way less than a guitar amp would be.




Jacob

So very true

Software plugs have come a looooooong way.

[alanp]

Semi-related note, how well do compressors work with vocals?

I only ask because we record the sermon at church (to cassette tape, don't laugh), and some speakers have a MASSIVE range of volume... so it's either have the tape shit itself when they want to make a point, or have their usual tone, or quiet whispers, become inaudible.

[stecykmi]

sounds like you need to narrow that dynamic range bro. a compressor does that.

[jtn191]

Semi-related note, how well do compressors work with vocals?

I only ask because we record the sermon at church (to cassette tape, don't laugh), and some speakers have a MASSIVE range of volume... so it's either have the tape shit itself when they want to make a point, or have their usual tone, or quiet whispers, become inaudible.

Compressors work really well on vocals. I used to work at a church and we had a small 2 channel dbx compressor for the pastor and pulpit mic. We recorded the sermon and the result was excellent...think talk radio/broadcast. IMO, compressors are most effective for dynamic singers and bass.

[lincolnic]

Semi-related note, how well do compressors work with vocals?

I only ask because we record the sermon at church (to cassette tape, don't laugh), and some speakers have a MASSIVE range of volume... so it's either have the tape shit itself when they want to make a point, or have their usual tone, or quiet whispers, become inaudible.

Pretty much every single vocal you've ever heard on a record has been compressed. It sounds like this is exactly what you need.

[alanp]

cheers, in negotiations for a behringer rack compressor now

JTN, sorry to derail your thread!