Racking Amek Einstein - Project COMPLETED!!!

Had to cut the original front pannel also.

Wired the 2 board parts, everything works!

Now I can fit it inside a 19inch case.

WELL DONE
6T9R

cool project!

Thanks,
now I have to cut the front panel of the case, so that I can fit the amek panel there.

It will not be easy since I dont have the necessary tools, lets see what I can do.

The goal is to achieve something similar to this picture, found on this thread:

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=14742.0

Some new Metalwork on the Front panel of the rack case. Had to be cut so that the channel strip panel would be visible.
The work was done with a water jet cutter in a metal cutting company, they did it for free this time.

I'm going to paint it now, still choosing the colour.

In the meanwhile I decided what to do for the tape return channel.
Initially I wanted to do a copy of the Pre-amp on the Mic Input channel, but that would be a lot of work, and probably not worth in the end since I would use different specs/brands parts. The sound would not be even similar to use the strip as stereo matched preamps.

So I went for the SSL 9K preamp, it's the best solution since both use + - 18v.
I can also use the SSL 9k PSU to supply both units and the SSL balancing board.
it makes everything simpler.

So basically the Mic Input channel will be the Einstein Pre-amp with Einstein EQ
Tape Return Channel will now be the SSL 9K preamp into the Einstein EQ (I will cut the traces for all the tape return circuitry, besides the EQ that will be used for the SSL 9k)


Already have the SSL boards crowded, just need some last few parts and them go for the Wiring Layout.
trying to get dome harmony with the wiring, if that is ever possible,

Also Finishing the paint job on the  rack front panel and try out some labeling.

It's almost done.

Channel 1 is fine, original features retained:
48V
PAD
Phase reverse
EQ section

Channel 2 - SSL Preamp with Amek Einstein EQ, will add 48V.

I'm using the tape return Pan pot hole and pcb space for the SSL Gain Pot.
ST switch will be used as the 48V supply switch, so there will be no need to modify the original channel strip front pannel

Hey Whoops, great looking front, I would leave it aluminium - looks very cool against the
"grey/Black" Amek panel poking through.

Good job

Marty.

Cool Marty,maybe you're right,
but it's already painted.

I will post some pictures in the next days

It's bordeaux

I Finished this project today, everything is working fine.

SSL 9K Mic Pre on the tape return channel.

2 Mic Pre Channels with independent EQ section.

Thanks to everyone that helped on this project,
specially to Mr JM and Eddie SampleGod!!!!!!!!!!!

...

Yes. it's great for a lot of projects, and the voltages were the same as my project so it was really easy.

Why did you leave the resistors and electrolytic caps out?

thanks

...

Hi Whoops.
I tried to contact you.
I start the same project and i have some questions.
would you like to answer it ?
Thx
Didier ... from France

Didierterrific said:

Hi Whoops.
I tried to contact you.
I start the same project and i have some questions.
would you like to answer it ?
Thx
Didier ... from France

Click to expand...

How did you tried to contact me?
I haven't receive any PM

you can write your questions here no problems, thats what this thread is for

regards

Yes i tried by mail and message...

happy to read you !!!
I have several Einstein channel strips, and the original TAC PSU.
I would like to rack a strip as you did...
I uploaded your pictures on this tread but some have a too low resolution.
I can't see clearly the points ABCD to re wire the 2 board parts and  it seems that there are more cables reconnected. Could you help me ?
Where did you get the output signal finally ?
What pot did you use to replace de fader ?
What toroid transformer did you use ?

Thx Whoops.

Didierterrific said:

Yes i tried by mail and message...

Click to expand...

Sorry , didnt receive any.
My PM box has free space, please try again

Didierterrific said:

I uploaded your pictures on this tread but some have a too low resolution.
What toroid transformer did you use ?

Click to expand...

I will see if I have the pics with better resolution in my archives, its been a long time...

Didierterrific said:

I can't see clearly the points ABCD to re wire the 2 board parts and  it seems that there are more cables reconnected. Could you help me ?

Click to expand...

I remember I cut the main board, and then had to leave a small piece board. But this was my first project over here, I didnt know much back then. I think that small board only have some caps and resistors, you can do easily in perfboard/verobard, you probably don't need to keep it like I did.

Didierterrific said:

Where did you get the output signal finally ?

Click to expand...

I took the output from the insert send which is post EQ. It's and unbalanced signal.
Then I used a Balancing board (SSL 9K balancing board) with a DRV or THAT chip to balanced the output.
It works great and worked perfectly first time.
PCBgringer sells some balancing boards

Didierterrific said:

What pot did you use to replace de fader ?

Click to expand...

None, as I used the "Insert Send" output it's before the fader so I just removed the fader.

Didierterrific said:

What toroid transformer did you use ?

Click to expand...

Don't remember now, I think it was a Talema from Banzai. I think it was oversized for the needs.

This are good options, you can power 2 channel strips with them:

https://www.banzaimusic.com/Talema-TRT30218.html

https://pt.farnell.com/vigortronix/vtx-146-030-218/30va-toroidal-transformer-2x18v/dp/2817646?st=toroid

https://pt.farnell.com/multicomp/vtx-146-030-118/transformer-30va-2x-18v/dp/1675053?st=toroid

https://pt.farnell.com/multicomp/mcta030-18/transformer-toroidal-2-x-18v-30va/dp/9530320?st=toroid

I would say any Toroid with 2x18v secondaries and 30 or 40 VA rating.

If you put the Toroid inside the case I advise you to install a Shielding sheet around the transformer so that you have much less transformer induced noise into the circuit, you can buy it here:

https://www.don-audio.com/trafo-shield

Thx for the feedback !!!

I will see if I have the pics with better resolution in my archives, its been a long time...
it will be great !

I remember I cut the main board, and then had to leave a small piece board. But this was my first project over here, I didnt know much back then. I think that small board only have some caps and resistors, you can do easily in perfboard/verobard, you probably don't need to keep it like I did.
ok !

I took the output from the insert send which is post EQ. It's and unbalanced signal.
Then I used a Balancing board (SSL 9K balancing board) with a DRV or THAT chip to balanced the output.
It works great and worked perfectly first time.
PCBgringer sells some balancing boards

None, as I used the "Insert Send" output it's before the fader so I just removed the fader.
So you didn't use volume for the output. Only the gain pot ?

What do you think about this PSU ?
https://www.jlmaudio.com/shop/ac/dc-kit.html?display_tax_prices=1

do you have other suggestion or idea ?


Thx

Didier

Didierterrific said:

So you didn't use volume for the output. Only the gain pot ?

Click to expand...

Yes. Gain control is the only thing I need. I had no need for output volume control

Didierterrific said:

What do you think about this PSU ?
https://www.jlmaudio.com/shop/ac/dc-kit.html?display_tax_prices=1

Click to expand...

It's very good, although shipping from Australia can be expensive.
From Europe you can get also a competent PSU from here:

https://www.pcbgrinder.com/produktside/psu-board