DIY Mic Preamp (how about some distortion on the vocals)

Frequent asked about building blocks: gain stages, buffers, clipping configurations, ...
Post Reply
User avatar
nihoneiga
Breadboard Brother
Information
Posts: 71
Joined: 20 Feb 2009, 01:13
my favorite amplifier: 63' Fender Bandmaster
Completed builds: Maestro MFZ-1 (my favorite), 1977 Big Muff, Fuzz Factory, EA Tremolo, Super Hard-on, ROG Tubescreamer
Location: Los Angeles

Post by nihoneiga »

Hi there, lately I've gotten back into recording, or at least am thinking about it for the first time in a while and pulled out my Shure SM57 mic but was wondering how I could get more out it. A friend suggested a mic preamp but I'm not really committed to shelling out $$$ for a tube preamp etc so I was wondering if anyone had a design for a DIY mic preamp?

If it had any features beyond gain that could be cool. Basically, I'd like it to sound kind of broken up or otherwise kind of fuzzy. How is this effect usually achieved?

Thanks

User avatar
culturejam
Old Solderhand
Information
Posts: 4062
Joined: 24 Feb 2008, 05:59
Has thanked: 433 times
Been thanked: 563 times
Contact:

Post by culturejam »

This topic definitely doesn't go in this forum. But I'll be damned if I can figure out where I should move it. Any suggestions?

User avatar
SpencerPedals
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 229
Joined: 23 Jan 2009, 21:56
Been thanked: 10 times

Post by SpencerPedals »

I know you said you want to use your SM-57 and possibly build a preamp, which I do not know how to do, but one cheap alternative if you're looking for fuzzy vocals can be found here:

http://harmonica.typepad.com/i-mic/myimic_sd.swf

Singing through a bullet mic breaks up vocals in a very natural, unprocessed way. I built one before I ever got into this crazy pedal building stuff and it was super easy then, so you shouldn't have a problem with it at all. You can find crystal/ceramic mic cartridges on ebay or from old CB microphones. I made one with a new style CB mic cartridge and it sounded too clear (not the old style cartridge), so just make sure it's old if you do that.

User avatar
puppiesonacid
Cap Cooler
Information
Posts: 672
Joined: 02 Apr 2008, 14:41
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 12 times

Post by puppiesonacid »

how about the diy FAQ section? although it may not be a FAQ is is a diy question nonetheless..

User avatar
John3
Information
Posts: 11
Joined: 22 Mar 2009, 13:56
my favorite amplifier: Musicman 210-65
Completed builds: BYOC 250+
1-Knob Fuzz
Orange Sunshine
Fuzzy Elephant
Master Volume SHO

Post by John3 »

There are a couple of sites online that sell kits:

http://www.fivefishstudios.com/

http://www.seventhcircleaudio.com/products.htm

http://www.paia.com/index.asp

I started building kits and now am working on veroboard in hopes of graduating on to some of the Neve clones. Also check out

http://www.jensen-transformers.com/apps_sc.html#mic

if you want to do it all yourself. Jensen is the name in pro-audio transformers and they are the "J" in Whirlwind and Radial's DI boxes.

Cheers,

John

User avatar
.Mike
Solder Soldier
Information
Posts: 167
Joined: 18 Aug 2008, 06:21
Location: Savannah, GA
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 31 times
Contact:

Post by .Mike »

No distortion and only gain, but the price is right... heh.

http://www.audiomasterclass.com/arc.cfm ... with-audio
My website: America's Debate | My effects site: Just one more build...

User avatar
John3
Information
Posts: 11
Joined: 22 Mar 2009, 13:56
my favorite amplifier: Musicman 210-65
Completed builds: BYOC 250+
1-Knob Fuzz
Orange Sunshine
Fuzzy Elephant
Master Volume SHO

Post by John3 »

Alright, maybe I missed part of the question. Most engineers would use a preamp in conjunction with an insert jack(s) on a channel strip of the console or use an effects send and return it to another channel. If you built a preamp you could wire in a place to insert a dirt box of your choice. You have one or two don't you? Up next for me is an OCD clone so I can try it as in insert on a channel for an experiment. So anyone know where I can find a TL082 or what's a good sub?

John

User avatar
soulsonic
Old Solderhand
Information
Posts: 3880
Joined: 27 Jun 2007, 03:38
my favorite amplifier: Traynor YVM-1
Completed builds: too many!
Location: Morgantown, WV
Has thanked: 183 times
Been thanked: 468 times
Contact:

Post by soulsonic »

My cheap-o PreSonus BlueTube gets a good musical distortion when maxed out.
With that in mind... perhaps the PAiA mic preamp with the tube in it might be a good choice.

When I use a mic preamp for distortion, I put a compressor after it to act as a limiter to bring the level down to something manageable for recording... since cranking the pre all the way to distortion usually makes a signal that's way too much.
"Analog electronics in music is dead. Analog effects pedal design is a dead art." - Fran

Post Reply