Beginners EQ Complete Kit ?

[Fortran]

Hi guys,

Completely new here and also completely new to the field of DIY pro audio. Have some experienced racked up over the years with a soldering iron but that is where it starts and ends pretty much. Have tried to search quite a lot both here and on google but can't seem to find what I am looking for, either through lack of experience at what I'm looking at or maybe it doesn't exist. I would really love to have a stab at creating an EQ for my very first venture into DIY, the reason for choosing an EQ is simply because I have no real use for much else, aside from a compressor (which looks even more complex!). I have a small project studio and don't do any live recording here so there is no requirement for a preamp, DI box or guitar pedal etc. I thought at least if I could build a nice sounding EQ it would be something I could use on a daily basis for mixing. 

Now this is where I start to get a bit lost, from reading around I have found links to complete kits for a whole variety of nice preamps, DI's etc. but so far can't seem to find a complete kit for an EQ. Seeing as this is my first ever attempt it would be great to find an "everything in one package" kit for the EQ including PCB, components, chassis, knobs and a real detailed step-by-step "hand holding" manual. etc. The thought of sourcing components, even with a shopping list, is a little daunting when your not %110 sure of what it is your actually ordering.

Does such a kit exist at all ? I would just love to have a go at making something I could get a decent amount of mileage out of, something like a nice sounding 3 or 4 band parametric would be fantastic, but as I said I would require a really clear step-by-step to go with it. The seventh Circle guys seem to have just the kind of entry level kit I need but unfortunately they only do pre-amps. 

Anyway a huge thank you to anybody that can help out at all or suggest a similar project I could both build and use in the studio. Is absolutely amazing that such a huge resource such as this board exists with a collection of such knowledgeable folks, really didn't realize DIY audio equipment had such a massive following, let alone achieving some pretty fantastic looking gear!

 

[W DeMarco]

OK, Heres the way it works around here.  1st search search search.  This topic has been posted by everyone who joins this forum.  2nd there are next to no "kits".  Most everything here is a PCB or etching file available for purchase however there are Bill of Materials lists for most any project.  Each PCB will have a thread with tons of folks ready to help if you encounter a problem.  If your not used to building a piece of gear try to pick a non tube based project to get your feet wet.  The tube projects contain higher voltages that will kill you if you screw up.  Choose one and refer to the BOM for parts and the thread for help, next to everything.  DO review the safety threads in the meta.  While the lower voltage projects are less lethal they'll still kill ya if your tickers off a beat.

 

[Fortran]

Hi DeMarco, many thanks for replying mate, I did try have a good root around searching but obviously didn't look hard enough for which I apologise. Thank you very much for the pointers, most certainly won't be attempting anything utilizing tubes for my first attempt, even more so if it could spell death! Are they any EQ projects you can think of off the top of your head that are less complex than others, or are 3 or 4 band EQ's much of a muchness in terms of complexity? I could really use something with some "sweeter" sounding boosts than cut's as I would be using it as more of a tonal tool than a surgical EQ. Anyway thanks again, appreciate your reply.

 

[Davo]

The closest one you're gonna find in kit form (there may be others that I'm unaware of) is the S800.

You can get the boards from PeterC... and you can get most of the parts from Colin at AudioMaitenance... minus a few switches, xlr's etc.
And if you can track down Purusha's new site, you can get a case.... shipping is bloody expensive though.
I put this together... and to be honest, was so straight forward, didn't seem like real diy... but it's a great eq

You can also get boards and panels for the W492... just gotta hunt a bit.

Lots of option, W DeMarco gave a pretty good rundown on how to find a lot of stuff.

Good luck,
dave

 

[W DeMarco]

Just trying to prep you for the build threads, most everything you find a problem with a particular build has probably been covered by many folks.  Theres a whole mess of eq's some easier than others.  But keep in mind that every control you add to a face plate requires more interconnect wiring thats not really harder but adds more time to your build.  Yes higher voltage tube projects can kill you but if you read up on safety and discharging caps you might enjoy a G Pultec.  Hate to lead you in the direction I just warned you about but you seem stuck on an eq project.  Pesonally I would choose a compressor, GSSL or G1176 for a first.

 

[Fortran]

The closest one you're gonna find in kit form (there may be others that I'm unaware of) is the S800.

You can get the boards from PeterC... and you can get most of the parts from Colin at AudioMaitenance... minus a few switches, xlr's etc.
And if you can track down Purusha's new site, you can get a case.... shipping is bloody expensive though.
I put this together... and to be honest, was so straight forward, didn't seem like real diy... but it's a great eq

You can also get boards and panels for the W492... just gotta hunt a bit.

Lots of option, W DeMarco gave a pretty good rundown on how to find a lot of stuff.

Good luck,
dave

Thanks a lot dave! Had a quick scout around and it seems Peter still has some PCB's available although also seems to be quite busy at the moment, but that could definitely be a great choice by the looks of it. Thanks very much for your input, really appreciate it!  

Just trying to prep you for the build threads, most everything you find a problem with a particular build has probably been covered by many folks.  Theres a whole mess of eq's some easier than others.  But keep in mind that every control you add to a face plate requires more interconnect wiring thats not really harder but adds more time to your build.  Yes higher voltage tube projects can kill you but if you read up on safety and discharging caps you might enjoy a G Pultec.  Hate to lead you in the direction I just warned you about but you seem stuck on an eq project.  Pesonally I would choose a compressor, GSSL or G1176 for a first.

Thanks very much again, I will make sure to read and re-read (multiple times) any relevant threads regarding safety, certainly don't want to get myself injured (or killed) on my very first attempt at this (or any other to think of it lol). As I stated in the original post a compressor would most certainly be a possibility for me also, EQ or compressor would both get a lot of mileage with my current setup. The only reason I was leaning on the EQ was that I believed it would be a simpler first project but a G series SSL bus compressor clone would be a fantastic addition, especially seeing as I currently make extensive useage of the Waves plugin version in pretty much all my mix work. In your experience would a compressor be more achievable for a first timer ? Anyway thanks again!

EDIT: I presume the PCB's from this guy: http://www.audiokitchenpcb.co.uk/ would be correct for this build ? Also the original Gyraf info here http://www.gyraf.dk/gy_pd/ssl/ssl.htm and a very nice diary of a build here http://gssl.rolandklinkenberg.com/english/index.html and the GSSL help thread here http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=47.0. Am I right in thinking between those 3 links I should have all the info I need to build this ?

 

[Davo]

I second doing the GSSL... it was one of my very first builds... but there's a lot of options for that project ie. turbo boards,
Supersidechain boards... which vca's you wanna use, and I think Rochey sells a CRC board that'll lower the noise on the power rails.

Here's some links

Boards:                    http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=10776.0
Turbo etc.                http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=36609.0
          or:                  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=35660.0
Bill of Materials:          http://members.cox.net/capstanrecording/SSLCloneParts.pdf
Meta, all things GSSL:  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=110.0

And if you can wait a little bit, a forum member is putting together a new version of the GSSL, which I'd love to put together
as well:  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=39517.0

Anyway, that's a good start with the GSSL, you should be able to find absolutely everything in those links.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[evilcat]

The closest one you're gonna find in kit form (there may be others that I'm unaware of) is the S800.

You can get the boards from PeterC... and you can get most of the parts from Colin at AudioMaitenance... minus a few switches, xlr's etc.

I agree, and it's a super easy to built project. You also need a PSU, the JLM Audio ones are in kit and excellent.
And, BTW, it's a cool sounding EQ. I have a DDA console and I prefer the S800 EQ to those on the desk, more musical. As components and PCB are cheap you definetly should build a stereo unit. I found that (most of the time) the most expensive in DIY project are shipping, case, knobs... Making 2 EQ instead of 1 would not double your budget, far, far from it.

Best and good luck on your project,

Ben

 

[Fortran]

I second doing the GSSL... it was one of my very first builds... but there's a lot of options for that project ie. turbo boards,
Supersidechain boards... which vca's you wanna use, and I think Rochey sells a CRC board that'll lower the noise on the power rails.

Here's some links

Boards:                     http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=10776.0
Turbo etc.                 http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=36609.0
          or:                  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=35660.0
Bill of Materials:          http://members.cox.net/capstanrecording/SSLCloneParts.pdf
Meta, all things GSSL:  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=110.0

And if you can wait a little bit, a forum member is putting together a new version of the GSSL, which I'd love to put together
as well:  http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=39517.0

Anyway, that's a good start with the GSSL, you should be able to find absolutely everything in those links.

Cheers,
Dave

Fantastic list! Many many thanks Dave, seems to be quite a wide variety of choice on the GSSL and also seems to be a large number of folks working on it (219 pages on the GSSL help post!). Thanks ever so much for compiling those links for me, still might possibly get the PCB's from Chef simply because they are in the UK, but I see Gustav has over a 100 left as well. It looks like a fantastic sounding unit, hopefully pretty damn close to the original! Thanks again!

I agree, and it's a super easy to built project. You also need a PSU, the JLM Audio ones are in kit and excellent.
And, BTW, it's a cool sounding EQ. I have a DDA console and I prefer the S800 EQ to those on the desk, more musical. As components and PCB are cheap you definetly should build a stereo unit. I found that (most of the time) the most expensive in DIY project are shipping, case, knobs... Making 2 EQ instead of 1 would not double your budget, far, far from it.

Best and good luck on your project,

Ben

Hi Ben thanks for your input, It's definitely down to this or the S800 and as much as I am drawn to the EQ a little more than the bus compressor there just seems to be a huge amount of additional info for building the GSSL which would probably make it an easier choice for my very first build where I am still trying to understand what's going on, although saying that the complete part kits from Audio Maintenance would make life a lot simpler and also the rack cases by pusha look beautiful!

I am not sure I am torn between the two, both seem quite "do-able". They will most certainly be my first two projects, it's just the order that I do them in at the moment. Thanks a lot for your help!

 

[evilcat]

You're welcome. Purusha sells the PCB within his cases (just for the S800).

Ben

 

[Fortran]

Thanks Ben, just found his new site and I am leaning quite heavily towards the S800 now simply because comparing it budget wise with the GSSL it appears its going to cost about half the price to build it even with the pre-made chassis. I just looked in the GroupDIY gmail account and downloaded the schematic for the S800, but I have no idea what to open the file with ? The BOM is in xls format which is no problem but the S800_EQ_SCHEM file doesn't even have an extension, what software will read this format ? Also real sorry to ask again but which of the JLM audio power supply kits would be suitable to run a 2 channel S800 ?

 

[evilcat]

The 3 rails PSU will do the trick because you need the same voltages for all your PCBs (between +/-15 to +/-18 V). Then, choose a power transformer big enough for 2 channels, I think 10VA is enough but check it on the support thread.

Best,

Ben.