Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #500seriesapiclone, aggregated by home.social.
I built another gar2520 opamp for my 3rd #500SeriesAPIClone . Prototype no. 1. The one that lives in my lab to test mics with. I don't know why I only ordered parts for 2 opamps the first time around, but I remedied that. I have a ton of opamps of other designs, so I had been using it with a spare, but now it's as it should be.
I also changed out the inductors in the 2 FET847 boards to the smaller ones they didn't have in stock when I originally ordered the parts.
Got the dryer power cord all sorted, and now I have a fully functioning washer/dryer pair.
This weekend I'll finish prototype #3 of the API preamp project, and if all goes well I'll finish up the KM84 based LDC mic.
I also have been in contact with a friend on a preamp project from the Amek M2500 console. I've worked on a variety of Amek consoles over the years including the 9098i, Mozart, Angela, and Big, but don't have any Amek mic preamps in my locker.
OK, I finished prototype number 2 of the 500 series API preamp. I'll post pics some other time. I'm taking my time this weekend, and I'm taking a lot of breaks and chatting with the band who is tracking their new album in our studio.
I also got some parts needed to finish the FET847 mic which I'll hopefully be able to work on next weekend.
Did quite a bit of work to the preamps today. I didn't end up finishing either because I was taking my time. Should have at least one finished tomorrow.
Need to relocate some mounting holes on the PCBs since I'm still working with REV1 prototype boards, then solder the transformers. Shortly after that I should have 2 more working API prototypes for the 500 series.
I'll work on that this weekend.
Then if I get lucky, next weekend, I might be able to finish one of those FET847 mics, which is the Neumann KM84 amplifier circuit modded for large diaphragm capsules. They're kinda like inexpensive mini U87i's.
Did some metal fabrication to the L-Brackets that help provide stiffness to the PCBs on this project. The PCB holds two transformers, and the L-Bracket helps strengthen the PCB to be able to support all that weight.
The Brackets come with a solid flat face, and I used the blue front panel as a template for where to drill and file. You can kinda see the evolution here.
Going to be working on two more prototypes of my 500 series API build today. Gotta do some metal fabrication to the L-Brackets to get all kinds of holes (for pots and switches) to line up.
Got some small parts in that will let me finish two more prototypes for my 500 series API preamp.
I'll do some work on those this weekend.
Also on the upcoming build agenda is making two more of my 500 series API clones with the Rev1 boards. I already populated the boards and bought two more panels, so I need to finish those. Then all future builds will be with the Rev2 boards which hopefully fixed all the bugs from the Rev1 boards.
Re-introduction:
In terms of classic recording equipment clones that I've built, I have a bunch of SSL, API, and Neve mic preamps, and I'm developing my own API clone with a friend for the 500 Series. Here are some hashtags:
#500SeriesAPIClone #500Series #ML12Build #Neve1073Build #MP573Build #SSL9kBuild #SSLBusComp
A proper desoldering gun is one of the most useful specialty tools an electronics maker can have. Sometimes a month goes by without needing it, but when you need it, a good one saves potentially hours of time and definitely keeps your PCBs from being damaged.
I ended up having to use mine on prototype No. 1 of the #500SeriesAPIClone yesterday because two diodes were silkscreened on the PCB top in the wrong direction. Manual solder suckers and solder wick just wouldn't have gotten the job done.
Then I realized I had a short between the 48 volt rail and ground. When I was modding these REV1 boards I had to drill a hole to move a PCB standoff and got too close to the 48v line. It was shorting to the ground plane right there. I was able to isolate the short out of the circuit and solder a jumper around it to get the phantom power rail working again.
After that it worked exactly as expected. YAY!
Super thrilled.
Not the best photo. I'll get better shots, soon.
2/2
Got prototype #1 of the #500SeriesAPIClone done. When I powered it up, it didn't. The PSU warned me that something was wrong, but I didn't know what exactly. Immediately I noticed that the two power rail input protection diodes were in backwards. How I didn't notice this sooner is beyond me, but I didn't. But this would only keeping current from flowing. It would keep the circuit from working, but shouldn't have made the PSU kick up an error.
1/2
Welp, many months work should come to fruition tomorrow. Since I got the REV1 #500SeriesAPIClone panels in the other day, that means I can now do final assembly on prototype #1 and see if it doesn't splode when I power it up.
I suspect it will be fine, but we'll know more tomorrow by mid afternoon.
Can't wait to play.
REV1 of my custom panels for the #500SeriesAPIClone project that I am working on with a friend, came today. These panels will work with the REV1 PCBs, but not any future PCBs. Reason being we moved a few components on the REV2 PCBs. So anyway, I have 3 prototypes under construction right now with REV1 boards, so I got 3 REV1 panels in. I'd say my panel guy did a great job. The real panel looks much better in person than my crappy photo makes it look.
Just got the update that my #500SeriesAPIClone panels will come tomorrow. Can't wait to see how everything looks with the knobs I have chosen.
I went with very plain-ish knobs (round silver) on this line of preamps for a reason.
I'm also curious to see how everything lines up with the PCB. It should be exact. The wood panel cutout I did on our laser cutter seemed to have it pretty perfect, but my metal guy can hold tighter tolerances, so hopefully it will be even better.
#D87Build
#TubePreBuild
#PMillettBuild
#ActiveDIBuild
#CAPI500Build
#CP5Build
#SSL4000GBuild
#SSL9kBuild
#1176Build
#LoudLifterBuild
#TubeHiFiPreampBuild
#ClassDAmpBuild
#RibbonMicBuild
#SSLBusComp
#CAPIVP25Build
#ML12Build
#MP573Build
#Neve1073Build
#LevelLocBuild
#RatPedalBuild
#Mackie1202Upgrade
#BalancedOutputBox
#LowFiMicBuild
#CarbonMicBuild
#500SeriesAPIClone
#KM84CloneBuild
#FET847MicBuild
Looks like the panels for my #500SeriesAPIClone build will be delivered Monday. I was hoping they'd come today so I could finish prototype no. 1, but I'll do it next week I guess.
OK, I think REV2 of the #500SeriesAPIClone board is done. But what this means is the 3 prototype panels I ordered, and which will be here any day now, won't work with REV2 of the PCBs, since some components moved a bit. No worries. REV2 is production ready and even though I ordered 20 of the slightly flawed REV1 boards, they still work, and I'll just use the prototype panels with those until I do an order of the REV2 boards. It's all part of the process.
OK, REV2 of the #500SeriesAPIClone PCB is done. Components were moved. This means I had to move the holes on the front panel design.
The good news is computers make this easy.
I'm psyched. My panels from Germany for my #500SeriesAPIClone prototypes have hit US shores and are being processed by customs.
OK, cool. My metal guy Frank has shipped the panels for my #500SeriesAPIClone project. They should be here within a week. This will let me finish up unit number 1, which due to some small design bugs required me to do extra drilling, filing, and sanding.
Nothing that will affect its performance, or even its cosmetics from the outside, but they're imperfections that have been fixed in the latest PCB Rev.
Just built the BOM for the #500SeriesAPIClone if I want to use the stepped gain switch instead of the much less expensive potentiometer.
I mean, there is no advantage to the stepped-gain switch except coolness. The chunky feel of the switch is very nice, but is it worth the extra $35 cost?
Got some 3/16 inch screws in today for the prototype project. You can see here the PCB is sitting on 1/4 inch standoffs which is sitting on an aluminum L-Bracket. When I used 1/4 inch screws to secure the PCB to the standoffs it required 2 nylon washers, as in the pic. Better to just use shorter screws and 1 washer.
Just officially ordered the metalwork for my #500SeriesAPIClone prototypes.
I'm super excited to be close to finishing up the first prototype pf the #500SeriesAPIClone project. I just got a quote for some panels from my boy Frank in Germany.
BTW, if any of you ever need custom metalwork for your projects just hit me up and I'll get you Frank's contact info.
Finished drilling holes and bending metal today in the lab. Everything lined up with the laser cut wooden test panel, so I will now be able to order the actual metal panels from my guy in Germany. I'm a little bit excited.
Worked a bit more on my 500 series API prototype, today. Had to drill more holes to make sure they aligned with my laser cut test panel.
Everything seems to be spot-on, so I can order actual metal panels when I have some spare cash.
Made some progress on my 500 series API clone builds. They're using L-Bracket backplates to stiffen everything up since these boards have 2 transformers on them, which add weight and would add stress to everything without the additional support. So I drilled out the front of the bracket to make a pass-thru for the pushbutton switches, and a friend laser-cut me a test front panel to make sure all of the holes lined up before I ordered the actual metal panels from my guy.