Student wants to build a Mic Pre

[Mickstape]

Hi people, yes as it says up there i would like to build my own mic pre. Well actually i'd like to build a rack of 6 pre's to be exact. Mark told me that if one has the knowledge and confidence to build one it is much cheaper to build than buy. That said i really would like to make a rack of varying types of pre using channel strips from various consoles, ie: a neve strip, a Ta@#$% strip etc. Basically any channel strip from modular consoles so i can experiment with different types of hardware on various intruments and vocals. I'd like all of them to be phantom power enabled, but would settle for a 4-2 setup.

So to the request, as a student i knowl f-all about the intricacies of said channel strips in regards to their individual attributes and am wondering if this is a worthwhile project to embark upon? That said i am asking for two things. 1. Are there any engineers or studio owners out there willing to part with various bits and pieces for this project for a small price or no price at all ie:transformers,tubes,channel strips etc and 2. If there are such people willing to do so, could they help me to the extent of pointing me in the right direction to source the parts that i require which they do not have or are unwilling to part with?

Thats my two bob, I'm going to grovel to my missus to see whether she will let me go and see "Stav" at Integrate today.

Mick

[heathen]

Hi Mick, welcome to the forum. You will get plenty of info from the guys here.

Firstly, a lot of different channel strips run on different voltages, which will be a PITA as power supplies are concerned.

Second, maybe start researching what voltage and the like channel strips run on, then you can match the strips to the power supples, also a lot of modules and the like are different sizes and configuration. As an example I have Telefunken eq and pre modules, some of which are I think 90x45 mm and others which are 190x45mm, luckilly they run on the same voltage though and can be racked together.

So yes learning to rack things yourself can be a very cost effective way to get some very high end gear. A lot of modules can be sourced from overseas at a reasonable price, even better now the dollar has risen a bit.

Some of the modules I've found are NOS (new old stock) in original packaging, they probably cost several thousand bucks when brand new and can be found for as little as a few hundred bucks.

Anyway maybe copy this over to the DIY section. I'm sure you'll find the info you're after.

[Chinagraf]

Hi Mick, if you want to get into DIY there is a wealth of information and helpful crew over at prodigy, not that there aren't any here, but it's where all the diy geeks hang out.
www.prodigy-pro.com/forum/index.php

[Mickstape]

hey thanks guys for welcoming me and for the replies.

@Heathen, yeah i will put this in DIY, perhaps i should have done that in the first place.

@Chinagraf, cheers man i`ll hit that link now.

As for the return to integrate, well it would have been great to catch "Stav" but i'd rather keep the peace than put up with cold dinner and unwashed socks for days haha

[HA_DA_JA]

Also look at Joe Malone's website jlmaudio.com as there are a lot of DIY kits you can start making that are very useable.
Some of the guys here I have built there own preamp and stuff from his gear.
I am getting some Neve modules racked from Rob at Proharmonic and he uses a lot of Joe's parts so they are quite professional.
Cheers