Hello,and first transformers question...

[maneco]

Hi all,
i'm Juan Urquhart,from Uruguay...i'm amazed by all the information and great work you share here...i came in search for a good mic preamp project for my band's singer...i saw many,one comon component is the input (and output )transformer...i downloaded the datasheet for the 1528 lundall as an example,and i wondered if i could have a run of similar ones built at a coils and transformer factory that works here...(i'm talking about a few,4 or 6)...is there any other useful data i have to give them,like inductance or wire diameter?
Hope this does not sound too crazy...
Thanks again!

 

[alk509]

Hi Juan, welcome!

There are Meta threads in this forum, as well as a search function. Try them, you'll find what you're looking for.

Peace,
Al.

 

[CJ]

Hi Juan, welcome to the club.
What kind of mic pre are you looking to build?
Tube or transistor/chip?

Rafa and Fabio, you neighbors in Brazil, might be of help. They also have a winder down there that puts out some good stuff, which might be cheaper than getting some prototypes made. I think Lynx is the company.
cj

 

[maneco]

Hi! thanks for the kind responses,and of course,you were right,the meta and search functions gave me all the answers,speciallt the Peerless K-241-D Mic Input dissection...i'll try to see if they can wind something like that at a factory i know here...my goal is to build the G9,as it looks like a workhorse,capable not only of performing as a mic preamp,but also as an insturment preamp...
I'm more into pedals and digita/analog hybrids,you can see some of my work at my page

http://manecolooper.tripod.com

but of course this is not a spam...

my band's page:

http://rendher.tripod.com

thanks a million!

 

[peter purpose]

Welcome Juan,
I'm afraid your stuff is far too good for this place.. :shock:
OUTSTANDING WORK :thumb:

pedro

 

[PRR]

> i'm Juan Urquhart,from Uruguay...

Hi, John. Seems like half the forum is south of the equator some days.

> one comon component is the input (and output) transformer

Just so you know: perfectly good mike preamps "CAN" be made without audio transformers.

> a good mic preamp project for my band's singer...

For a singer, the "Green" is a good simple "clean" transformerless preamp, no exotic parts that can only be got in crate-lots or in Japanese alleys. For "flavor" I'd be thinking of the universal $15 "XLR-1/4 transformer" into a Fender-style front-end. For stage or small studio use, output transformers are not necessary, just find a way to drive typical 10K line inputs (a tube-amp will need a beefy cathode follower).

Wind-your-own is certainly possible, and maybe easier in some corners of the world than it is today in the US's throw-away economy. Still, winding a good audio transformer is tricky, and typically uses wire sizes that power-transformer re-winders don't have on hand, and techniques that seem like nonsense to a power-iron guy.

Also explore "recycling". There are always old mixing boards and other audio gear in closets and storage rooms that can be used as-is, repaired, modified, or stripped for parts. Good sound is NOT a new invention, and some of the old stuff did and still does sound better than most of today's stuff.

 

[soundguy]

hey there Juan, your boxes look awesome!

your band is really cool too. A good preamp with an output transformer will do a lot to smooth out and sorta ground the buzzy top on your guitars, a transformerless design will sorta keep it where it is, one bit of perspective, depending what you are going for.

The mp3's on your page sound cool, your singer has a definite gal costa vibe happening.

dave

 

[jensenmann]

Hi Juan
Nice pedals, you make. I play bass with loopers (Jamman, TC2290) and love this style of creating sound in a band. And your band sounds really great. I felt in love with your singer. Don´t you want to give me her phonenumber??? I could built her a mikepre, too. :green:
If you plan to built the G9 you could consider to use the OEP input tranny. This is definitely the cheapest goodsounding option for the G9. Everybody who did use it was very pleased.
Jens

 

[Guest]

Brilliant boxes
mmmhh looping boxes - another idea for the DIY back burner
anything to stop me using cut and paste in cubase

 

[maneco]

Thanks again!
i really apretiate you taking the time to listen to my tracks...i know the low bit rate of the mp3 does not help here...me and my bass player were having a chat with Juasn Campodónico last week,he's Jorge Drexler producer (Drexler is Oscar winner,for his song "al otro lado del río" ,for the movie "motorcycle diaries"...Juan Cmpodónico is also Grammy winner for his "Bajofondo Tango CLub",Tango/electronica mix...well,he spant a couple of hours with us,listening to our last record,not released yet,and suggested what is obvious here: the best mic,the best preamp and the best soundcard we can afford ( as we are bedroom studio recorders)...so i thought "the mic preamp is a task for me"... :grin:

 

[CJ]

A really simple and classic tube pre is the Telefunken V72. Needs in/out iron and a plate choke, but really quiet and nice sounding.

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=6272&start=0

The Gyraff G9 is probably just as good, depending on your iron compliment.

cj

 

[maneco]

well, i visited the electronics street here in my city,Montevideo,and asked in a coils and transformers factory for a test unit....i asked them one transformer with 500 turns primary,2500 secondary,of 0,10 mm wire...they'll have it ready on friday,the cost is 8 dollars,and i'll do some tests with it...i saw the thread of the output transformer soemone winded at home,and i'll continue experimenting...maybe i have a surprise :grin:

 

[JustinS]

8$... man that's crazy... I don't get out of bed for 8$ :wink: You'll have to keep us posted as to how it sounds!

Justin.

 

[Mbira]

[quote author="PRR"]Good sound is NOT a new invention, and some of the old stuff did and still does sound better than most of today's stuff.[/quote]

PRR, you just got me to change my signature.

:guinness: