Sonic
Well-known member
Prologue (or why I need it).
Since the distant 80s, when we played our own music with friends and there was a rather noisy and unpretentious 12-channel Soviet mixer "Electronics PM-01" in our rehearsal room, I wanted to get a cleaner sound. But then there was no great experience either in electronics or in the principles of mixing sound. In those years, I collected only guitars and pedals for them.
In the 90s, I got sick with the idea of creating my own studio, but there was no room for a studio, nor the possibility of purchasing equipment (in our country there was quite a large inflation+ default of 1998).
By 2006, when I was already working as an on-air technician at a TV channel, I began to study the technical part of studio equipment (including, thanks to this forum, when it still had the name prodigy-pro), while simultaneously developing condenser microphones/capsules.
In the summer of 2007, when left to work at a local theater as a leading engineer and sound engineer, more closely engaged in mixing sound at performances and concerts there. Then I became more clearly aware of what functions I needed from the console. At the same time, I purchased three Soviet 16-channel studio consoles "Electronics PM-03". I improved the sound part, changed the Soviet OpAmps to NE5534\5532 and OP275. I added the number of AUX up to 8 and the number of subgroups up to 12 (thanks to the merger of all three consoles, where there were 4 subgroups in each). Mic preamps were assembled according to the Shiklai scheme and on SSM2019\INA217. EQ there were standard, 4-band, according to the classic scheme of Soundcraft 200\400\800 mixers. I wanted more functionality from EQ than I had.
Soviet upgraded consoles. The room was recently allocated from the theater for a studio and workshop, so it is not yet properly equipped here.
So, after that, the idea of building a console from scratch began to mature in my head. The project began to be implemented with the development of circuits and PCBs in February 2019. The first prototypes of the boards were ready by August 2019.
Since there is a lot of work during the theater season, the project is not progressing very quickly. I have been on vacation since June 28, so something should move (I'm already finishing with switching the master section).
So, the pictures:
The first PCBs. I did it with the help of a negative photoresist on film. I stroked the PCBs on the laminator. The process of copper etching took place in a solution of citric acid. Tinning of copper is chemical:
PCBs in the series:
Box with Connectors from China:
Production of bands for modules:
Since the distant 80s, when we played our own music with friends and there was a rather noisy and unpretentious 12-channel Soviet mixer "Electronics PM-01" in our rehearsal room, I wanted to get a cleaner sound. But then there was no great experience either in electronics or in the principles of mixing sound. In those years, I collected only guitars and pedals for them.
In the 90s, I got sick with the idea of creating my own studio, but there was no room for a studio, nor the possibility of purchasing equipment (in our country there was quite a large inflation+ default of 1998).
By 2006, when I was already working as an on-air technician at a TV channel, I began to study the technical part of studio equipment (including, thanks to this forum, when it still had the name prodigy-pro), while simultaneously developing condenser microphones/capsules.
In the summer of 2007, when left to work at a local theater as a leading engineer and sound engineer, more closely engaged in mixing sound at performances and concerts there. Then I became more clearly aware of what functions I needed from the console. At the same time, I purchased three Soviet 16-channel studio consoles "Electronics PM-03". I improved the sound part, changed the Soviet OpAmps to NE5534\5532 and OP275. I added the number of AUX up to 8 and the number of subgroups up to 12 (thanks to the merger of all three consoles, where there were 4 subgroups in each). Mic preamps were assembled according to the Shiklai scheme and on SSM2019\INA217. EQ there were standard, 4-band, according to the classic scheme of Soundcraft 200\400\800 mixers. I wanted more functionality from EQ than I had.
Soviet upgraded consoles. The room was recently allocated from the theater for a studio and workshop, so it is not yet properly equipped here.So, after that, the idea of building a console from scratch began to mature in my head. The project began to be implemented with the development of circuits and PCBs in February 2019. The first prototypes of the boards were ready by August 2019.
Since there is a lot of work during the theater season, the project is not progressing very quickly. I have been on vacation since June 28, so something should move (I'm already finishing with switching the master section).
So, the pictures:
The first PCBs. I did it with the help of a negative photoresist on film. I stroked the PCBs on the laminator. The process of copper etching took place in a solution of citric acid. Tinning of copper is chemical:
PCBs in the series:
Box with Connectors from China:
Production of bands for modules:
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During my quest, thank goodness the knights of GDIY took pity, and helped turn my sword of damocles into a dragon-slayer. 
