T-Dogg
Well-known member
So my old Souncraft Ghost (which I got super-cheap after being trashed in a shipping accident and fixed up to the best of my ability) started smoking, and I got that sickening feeling... knowing I'd have to crack this beast open once again and start f'ckin around. A tough thing to do for someone with no scope, not much electronics experience outside of what I've learned here, no schematics, and alot of doubt as to whether I'd know how to test it even if I had documentation. I've gotten lucky in the past, but at some point my lack of knowledge will prevent me from going much farther.
This happens right after I've completed my first DIY build -- a GSSL. I got all excited and confident, and started thinkin I don't even need a board this big anymore, maybe I could DIY a small board using proven and very well documented circuits like the Green Pre, and maybe a Calrec (or simpler/more cost efficient?) as the channel eq -- maybe 8 of these. Bussing isn't a big deal, direct outs would be fine as I'm just feeding an AD converter and can reroute channels if need be in my DAW. Then 8 simple line level inputs with volume and panning, clean and transparent, for tape returns and line level sources. I'd think there are plenty of circuits for these and think I could build 'em easily enough.
I'd need a good summing circuit, but again I think this would readily available. I'm guessing the biggest challenge would be tying it all together -- feeding the summing circuit, building the power supply to run it all at once, the solo/mute functionality (lots of relays?), and implimenting separate monitors chains, since application-specific info on this stuff seems less readily available. Realistically, I know there are a million other issues I'm missing which will make this a big undertaking. And I haven't looked into the cost yet... But if I build up the pre's, eq's, line amps separately... do you guys honestly think a motivated newbie could find the info (honesty, more like bother you guys for info!) to complete it? Or am I being an overconfident and presumptuous idiot?
If it seems feasible, any input on where to start would be great. Again, to make it easily, I'd love to approach it in a modular fashion using some pretty common circuits, so I have plenty of info to sort through when problems come up. Thanks for reading!
Oh yeah -- I have access to a machine shop for the metal work!!! Score!
This happens right after I've completed my first DIY build -- a GSSL. I got all excited and confident, and started thinkin I don't even need a board this big anymore, maybe I could DIY a small board using proven and very well documented circuits like the Green Pre, and maybe a Calrec (or simpler/more cost efficient?) as the channel eq -- maybe 8 of these. Bussing isn't a big deal, direct outs would be fine as I'm just feeding an AD converter and can reroute channels if need be in my DAW. Then 8 simple line level inputs with volume and panning, clean and transparent, for tape returns and line level sources. I'd think there are plenty of circuits for these and think I could build 'em easily enough.
I'd need a good summing circuit, but again I think this would readily available. I'm guessing the biggest challenge would be tying it all together -- feeding the summing circuit, building the power supply to run it all at once, the solo/mute functionality (lots of relays?), and implimenting separate monitors chains, since application-specific info on this stuff seems less readily available. Realistically, I know there are a million other issues I'm missing which will make this a big undertaking. And I haven't looked into the cost yet... But if I build up the pre's, eq's, line amps separately... do you guys honestly think a motivated newbie could find the info (honesty, more like bother you guys for info!) to complete it? Or am I being an overconfident and presumptuous idiot?
If it seems feasible, any input on where to start would be great. Again, to make it easily, I'd love to approach it in a modular fashion using some pretty common circuits, so I have plenty of info to sort through when problems come up. Thanks for reading!
Oh yeah -- I have access to a machine shop for the metal work!!! Score!