Hi all..
A while ago now I was having a conversation about the lack of a dual 1073 in 1u form with the same style as the original.. I was saying it was a shame that the original was a little bit wider than 1u or else it would fit great.. This lead to a "well why don't you build me one!" from my friend, and so I did! This was almost a year ago now (wow how time flies).. Anyway, I've recently took up the project again as my friend wants me to build a couple more and rather than do the metalwork by hand again, I'm going to get a batch made. If there's any interest I can get a larger batch made up and make it a DIY project on my site www.thedonclassics.com too.
Anyway here's some pics! (I never got round to screen printing the unit I built, but the batch I get made will of course have screen printing on)
I also wanted to make a couple of extra features that aren't on other clones out there:
Powering system:
It can be powered either with a 24VAC transformer/adapter plug.. I normally chop the cheap 2.1mm connector off and use a good screw in Switchcraft connector..
Or it can also be powered by 51X. Either the +24V rail or the -24V rail. I realised I wasn't utilising the -24V rail on my 51X rack that much so decided to make use of it!
Almost no wiring:
It uses PCB mount Grayhill with hollow shafts. So there's hardly any wiring to do. The big annoyance of making a 1073 style unit in the original style is the immense amount of wiring, so with the PCB mount switches all that is avoided.. It's all connected with simple IDC ribbon connectors..
The only wiring is the 51X connector.
Easy to build/troubleshoot:
It uses all individual amp cards like the original did. I've used pins and sockets like discrete opamps.. This is useful in troubleshooting.. if you have a problem with the unit, you can just lift out the card.. swap it with another etc.. fix it.. and put it back in without having to remove everything from the unit.
Full 80dB gain:
The problem with the 12 position switches normally is you can't have all the positions that a 1073 had.. so what I've one, is add a little 3 way toggle switch on the back so that when you're on 70dB gain on the front rotary switch, you can click to the side to get 75dB, and the other side to get 80dB. Obviously not something you'll use often, but nice to have the option.
DI input:
As it's also a pin and socket card, there's the option of diying any design you like and slotting it in. Personally I've designed a "Rupert Neve-ish" DI based on what I think would suit best an old 1073.. ie. transistors.. BC caps.. mustard caps..
The main PCB has footprints so that it can be built as a 1073, or a 1084. I'm also planning on designing some other units that can slot in too for future projects..
A while ago now I was having a conversation about the lack of a dual 1073 in 1u form with the same style as the original.. I was saying it was a shame that the original was a little bit wider than 1u or else it would fit great.. This lead to a "well why don't you build me one!" from my friend, and so I did! This was almost a year ago now (wow how time flies).. Anyway, I've recently took up the project again as my friend wants me to build a couple more and rather than do the metalwork by hand again, I'm going to get a batch made. If there's any interest I can get a larger batch made up and make it a DIY project on my site www.thedonclassics.com too.
Anyway here's some pics! (I never got round to screen printing the unit I built, but the batch I get made will of course have screen printing on)
I also wanted to make a couple of extra features that aren't on other clones out there:
Powering system:
It can be powered either with a 24VAC transformer/adapter plug.. I normally chop the cheap 2.1mm connector off and use a good screw in Switchcraft connector..
Or it can also be powered by 51X. Either the +24V rail or the -24V rail. I realised I wasn't utilising the -24V rail on my 51X rack that much so decided to make use of it!
Almost no wiring:
It uses PCB mount Grayhill with hollow shafts. So there's hardly any wiring to do. The big annoyance of making a 1073 style unit in the original style is the immense amount of wiring, so with the PCB mount switches all that is avoided.. It's all connected with simple IDC ribbon connectors..
The only wiring is the 51X connector.
Easy to build/troubleshoot:
It uses all individual amp cards like the original did. I've used pins and sockets like discrete opamps.. This is useful in troubleshooting.. if you have a problem with the unit, you can just lift out the card.. swap it with another etc.. fix it.. and put it back in without having to remove everything from the unit.
Full 80dB gain:
The problem with the 12 position switches normally is you can't have all the positions that a 1073 had.. so what I've one, is add a little 3 way toggle switch on the back so that when you're on 70dB gain on the front rotary switch, you can click to the side to get 75dB, and the other side to get 80dB. Obviously not something you'll use often, but nice to have the option.
DI input:
As it's also a pin and socket card, there's the option of diying any design you like and slotting it in. Personally I've designed a "Rupert Neve-ish" DI based on what I think would suit best an old 1073.. ie. transistors.. BC caps.. mustard caps..
The main PCB has footprints so that it can be built as a 1073, or a 1084. I'm also planning on designing some other units that can slot in too for future projects..
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