What are some of the cheapest to make (but great sounding) DIY projects?

[Neily]

Hey guys. I looked for a thread about this but couldn't see one so let's start it up.

What are some of the cheapest to make, but great sounding and useful DIY projects out there that you've ever come across? EQs, pres, comps, anything....This could be a fun thread...

Also, perhaps a link on where to go to get started said project would be cool too... Maybe a rough cost?

 

[ilfungo]

LA4!!!!

 

[Rybow]

LA4!!!!

I second that!

 

[Neily]

Sweet, how much did your finished la4s cost?

 

[Rybow]

Rough estimate for my 2 channel unit would be around $400 give or take. That doesn't include all of my experimentation. You can get that even lower depending on your output transformer, power transformer, VU meter, rotary switch and case choices.

 

[Neily]

That sounds like a great project! I'm getting ideas already haha

Keep em coming people

 

[geoff004]

16 x 2 summer

~$30 total cost
hammond box
quality parts
turn out better sounding mixes
~2-3 hours work

 

[pstamler]

A really good DI.

$100 for a Jensen transformer. $15 for the box. $6.00 for the XLR and 1/4" jacks.

If you want to connect an amp output to it, $0.50 for resistors and $1.50 for a switch.

Peace,
Paul

 

[JohnRoberts]

Fixing an old soldier that is broken... to live and fight another day.

JR

 

[blue_luke]

I second JR on that one....
Fixing a good quality made 'anything' is both rewarding and usually not that expensive...

And a good direct box....
And a good patch bay...
And a good AC distribution trough the studio with a very good ground scheme and EMI/RFI filtering...
And a good basic acoustic treatment to remove the worst offending node and 'flatifies' a bit the room
And a good intercom system
And.....
And.....



Luc

 

[Neil]

A really good DI.

Peace,
Paul

I second this, my Bo Hansen DI was very inexpensive but sounds fantastic.

Neil

 

[Neily]

I'm in need of a good DI box. Mostly for use with my active stingray bass. Any suggestions?

I'd actually like to do another one with a trs input and two xlr outs for my upright bass (there's a piezo under the bridge and one under the neck with both on the trs out) Anyone do anything like this?

 

[Rybow]

Oh man! I still have to build a DI! Crap. I promised my girlfriend that after 2 more mics I was done for a bit. If I am really sneaky....hmmmm.  8)

 

[Neily]

Oh man! I still have to build a DI! Crap. I promised my girlfriend that after 2 more mics I was done for a bit. If I am really sneaky....hmmmm.  8)

Hahaha! I'm currently doing a gpultec, 8 API 312s, just ordered a stereo tape simulator last night, and I just finished a shadowbus4000 (ssl) . My girlfriend might kill me. Lol

 

[Rybow]

312's are sweet! I just finished a 2 channel unit a couple of months ago. Love it!

 

[Neily]

Yeah? I can't wait to do mine!

312 pre amps are quite cheap to make too (the problem is I want tons of them haha)

 

[Gus]

guitar and bass effects

 

[Neil]

I'm in need of a good DI box. Mostly for use with my active stingray bass. Any suggestions?

Yep, start here- 

http://www.groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=36569.0

I sympathize with you guys, I've got a SA-3A, SB4000 and CLX-VU to get to just on compressors alone.

Neil

 

[babyhead]

I'd actually like to do another one with a trs input and two xlr outs for my upright bass (there's a piezo under the bridge and one under the neck with both on the trs out) Anyone do anything like this?

OT. Yes. All of my 2 pickup basses have trs jacks with the back pickup on the ring.

Upgrading cheap chinese ribbon mics with good transformers would be my $.02

 

[hobiesound]

+1 for fixing old stuff... easier and faster than diy'ing stuff from scratch and if you don't like the thing you can easily sell it of as working with a little profit. That's exactly how i started my studio when i was 16 and it's still partially what i do for a living. I just love it when you buy a half working console for peanuts, repair it all and see someone with a big smile give you a bag of money for something you made working again. Not to mention it's feels really good for your concience when you save something from a landfill........ oh yeah and making pedals was a great way for me to make my own pcb's and designs that i could comprehend when i started in diy. It's a great gateway into more complicated things.

greetings,

Thomas