Best newbie project?

[JPrisus]

I'm about to order up the guts for my first 'real' DIY project, and i'm curious as to what you guys would suggest for my first go-round. I have interest in both the SSL clone and the Gyraf Pultec, is there an obvious choice as a starter to get my feet wet?

I can solder pretty well, have already built a simple passive monitor and a couple guitar pedals. I have use for both units, and will eventually build both. Thanks!

 

[T-Dogg]

I came here with zero electronics experience... The general opinion seemed to be go for the S S L... This was maybe two months ago... Well, I successfully fired it up for the first time this week with no problems. And I learned alot about how the various electronic components function and what they're used for along the way. So I'd say go for the SSL. Oh yeah -- it sounds great too!

 

[Category 5]

If you're looking for a good preamp Tim Ryan at Seventh Circle Audio makes a great series of kits that are perfect for first timers. They include PC boards, all of the components, and clear instructions. You can make an A-P-I 312, Neve 1272, or Jensen Dual 990. All of them are great designs and he offers a rack case and power supply to make it complete. THe hardest thing about DIY (you'll find) will be sourcing all of the parts, and finding and drilling a decent enclosure. SCA kits eliminate that.

Sorry to be such a cheerleader, but thanks to Tim I am ready to dive into some serious projects...the SCA kits eliminate quite a bit of the fear factor!

Keep in mind that if you order the case, power supply, and a module all at the same time you will get a $165 usd discount too.

Shane

 

[Scenaria]

my suggestion is to first decide on what you need/would use...

a preamp? compressor? or EQ?

then decide on the sound/texture that your looking for

its alot more fun building something that you are dying to use...

 

[JPrisus]

I could put any of these units to good use on a daily basis. I'm interested in these projects for the knowledge gained more so than anything else, and I enjoy getting my hands dirty and learning a thing or two in the process. Otherwise i'd just buy the gear!

I've looked into Seventh Circle, and plan to build a rack of their A12s at some point in the future, but i'd like to hear the preamp module first before I make the investment of time and money. I'm sure they're quality preamps, just wanna compare them to units that I already know and love first.

T-Dogg, where in NJ are you? I'd love to hear a finished SSL built from these plans.

 

[toby]

i'd go for a pretty simple tube line amp circuit first. build the line amp section of the gyraf pultec first, get everything working then look at the filters.

 

[aio9]

I came across Jakob's page a few months back, and I decided to give his G1176 a try. I had some experience building basic electronic projects, but my electronic knowledge is very basic, next to none, at best. When I decided to build the G1176 I listed a friend of mine who has more expertise in electronics to help me out. With his help, I was able to finish the project and learn a lot during the process. You could probably try something like that. Pick a reasonably managable project and ask for a more experienced friend to help.

Like someone said here, if you do the whole project yourself, one of the toughest thing to do is sourcing the parts, so building something from a kit might be a great idea as well. In fact, I am thingking of doing just that by using SCA kits.

 

[Kev]

Passive VU meter box.
DI box
Green-Pre.
SSL comp.

 

[JPrisus]

Thanks everyone.. i've decided to do the SSL comp first, and ordered most of my parts today. I'll also be adding the sidechain and switched relay additions pending the basic circuit isn't a problem. After this, i'll tackle the Pultec or the SCA A12s, depending if I can demo a completed A12 by then. I'd love a rack of 8 APIs for drum tracking, but I wanna be sure they're to my liking first.

I'll also be throwing together a pair of VUs for my passive monitor, and a rack of Neve line amp stages. I'm looking forward to using all of this great DIY stuff to enhance my work!

Cheers, to my new 'home'! :sam: