DIY Tube Mic Preamp API 500 Format - Soundskulptor MP566

[@nevilovermann797]

Another fantastic video! Those 500-series kit's are what made me want to build DIY audio stuff, allthough I've never bought one and don't have a 500-series rack. :P Do you have any reccommendations when it comes to 500-series racks? There are so many, and the price varies so much and audio-forums are filled to the brim with people that will tell you that "only this one works" or "that one will destroy your modules" or "anything below €xxxx is terrible" and they all contradict each other. :P

Thanks! :-) I'd decide first if you want a rack that has some internal routing capabilities or just a simple box with IO and power supply. If you want routing (to send audio from one module to the next internally) keep in mind that most racks have the switches on the back side. Great for making some custom channel strips (eg. preamp, dynamics, eq...) that rarely need to change. Not practical for daily switching. (If you want that, check out the SM Pro JuiceRack 8). If you want just the "dumb" box, simply go for the rack with the lowest price per slot. I use the IGS Panzer - build like a tank. I'd check out the new and insanely cheap Midas Legend L10 which costs only 200 € incl. tax for 10 slots. Most of those internet forum "opinions" stem from years ago when the first third party modules and racks appeared. API specified a max. power draw of 130 mA per module but some modules needed more, especially during power up. No problem if you had just one or two, but more of those in a full rack gave problems since some racks couldn't supply enough juice. The MP566 for example draws ~160 mA but most modern racks are overbuild on the power side anyway: The Midas for example delivers 3.2 A, the Panzer even 4.2 A. More than enough. There is one other theoretical difference: The type of power supply. Cheaper racks have a modern switching power supply (cheaper to make), more high end or traditional racks may have a linear power supply (like the panzer). If money is not an issue or you're into high end, go for a rack with a linear power supply. In all other cases try the cheapest you can get. I've not seen the Midas in person yet, but my rack is full and I'll try this for my second rack. Cheers!

[@nevilovermann797]

​@ Thank's for the reply, Götz! I have all the outboard that I need for my regular workflow, so the 500-rack would be for DIY-units that I could patch in and out using my patchbay, so internal routing is not really needed. The MIDAS looks like a fantastic option for me, and if it won't kill my modules I see no reason not to put it on my shopping list. Perhaps a little christmas present for myself. I'll finally be a 500-series rack owner. :) I'll have to add the MP566 while I'm at it! ;)

[@pop_polizei]

@@nevilovermann797 I started with a cheap Fredenstein Bento rack last year. At the beginning everything was fine (e.g. no problems with any of my Soundskulptor kits). However, after a while I noticed some serious noise issues with certain 500-series modules. The 48V rail for phantom power is basically unfiltered in the Fredenstein which makes it terribly noisy and unusable for these modules, if you want to use any condenser mics. I then bought a Trident DecaDent (which is a bit pricier) and never had any problems since. I haven’t tried the MIDAS yet, but since the PSU is where most companies cut their costs, I’d guess you might run into the same noise problems as with the Fredenstein. So here’s my advice: If you’re new to the 500 format and you want to take your first DIY steps, there’s probably nothing wrong with a cheap rack, especially if you already have some outboard gear and you don’t depend on the 500-series modules. If you then experience any issues like the one that I had, you might want to upgrade your rack pretty soon. Alternatively, if money doesn’t matter, start with a higher quality rack right away. This will also be a lot easier to sell later. :)

[@roboslobonator]

Wow, I had heard about the harmonic differences of tubes and solid state but that sine wave demonstration really allowed me to hear AND see the difference. Great video!

[@Herfinnur]

Mein Gott, wo warst du mein ganzes Leben!? Deine Videos sind absolut genial!!!

[@KarloswithaK_RD]

Götz!! So thankful for this video you’ve helped so much in the last half hour!! I’m so glad I found you my friend! Thank you! Much love from Orlando! Keep making these amazing build videos!! Thank you!!

[@jasperdany]

Hi Götz big fan of your videos. Beginner starting my journey with rack equipment. Greetings from Cologne ❤

[@soulvibessound]

Love this kind of analysis, hope we'll get more (like compressor and other stuffs)

[@Wizardofgosz]

2 of these are on my build list.

[@omarromero9310]

Great video, and in English. I've been subscribed to your channel for some time now and I've enjoyed the 500 series module demos you've showed, specially the Don Classics U67A demo, but at the same time I've had a hard time deciphering what you mean with your videos being in German :) but I do enjoy them a lot. With that being said, your videos have encouraged me to start building my recording gear, and I'm now about to start my first project, a pair of vintage Neve 1073 clone preamps. Keep up the great work you show us, and if it's not too much to ask, it would be awesome if you continue to upload videos in English, cause even though I'm Mexican, I'm very fluent in English. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@beasterfield321]

This is exciting for you you are doing these in English, I love your videos and they are very helpful even though they were in German. I took 3 threes of German in high school. Love the language. However, I have forgotten it all since everyone speaks either Spanish or English here in the states. I'm just getting into electronics and your videos inspire me! thanks.

[@twentytreesaudio5935]

Excellent video! Detailed, insightful review and great to hear the 566 in action. Subscribed! (...and added the MP566 to my wishlist...)

Thank you! ☺️

[@bubz75]

Very neat assembly and exquisite soldering!

[@chaosEngin3]

Fantastic video, very comprehensive and clear, and really liked your careful build. And now I know what the preamp sounds like, thank you!

[@GingerBeker]

All i can ask to a video...amazing!

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

It must take double the time to film your whole build so well...thanks for your vids :)

[@stetaglio]

Thank you for the video.It would be nice to have also a quick "reamp test" with let's say drums,vocals,bass etc.I mean,tracks already recorded passed trough the preamp.

Thanks! I have another module on my table right now - once I'm done I'll try to record some reamping demos.

[@youtubetha-ghostdawg9381]

Thanx a lot. got 2 of these babys in my Studio..

[@travisraab]

This video is ridiculously well produced. Incredible. How do you think this pre compares to something like the warm audio tone beast?

[@inspectormadshit151]

Lieber Götz, deine Videos sindeinfach genial, ich bin begeistert und bereit der Bastlersekte beizutreten! Ps: Ich wünschte es gäbe ein Video wie man einen "Dub-Preamp" baut also einen Phono- und Line fähigen Preamp mit 10 Band Eq, parametrischen Eqs, einer 4 Wege Frequenzweiche(Sub, Bass, Mid , High), Killswitches, Send effekten und analogen Inputs. =)

[@airtechmedia]

Check your solder joints between R14/R15 looks like you bridged them at 3.31

[@zanem9022]

What are all the 500 modules in the lunchbox. Never seen them before.. Whats the blue stripe one

[@SparkleBearMusic]

Great video! What is that pcb vice you have there?! I’m in love! Lol

[@Mario_DiSanto]

Might be a silly question to ask but I just built one of these. The Red/Green LED functions as a clipping indicator. When the LED shines red the preamp is "Clipping". Is that the same thing as overdriving the preamplifier? Or are they two different things?

[@purnachandar6197]

Amazing

[@bloodswarms]

LOVED this video! Liked and subscribed.

[@Delatsch]

Great video and great review! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks a lot! 😊

[@kozysworld]

Hi Götz, thoroughly enjoy watching your videos. This preamp looks like something I want to tackle although I am a complete novice to DIY builds but have a feeling that its time to dive into builds as I love the sound of analog equipment and it would be way to expensive in the long run to buy everything that I would like to add to my studio - what would be your advice to a complete novice like me in tackling a new venture like this one? Thank you in advance, Kozy

[@nerddujugement8334]

great video! I want to build clone kits, but I'm wondering if it's financially interesting to go the 500 route, if I'm not gonna fill it....

[@gernotfrohlich6978]

hey götz, eine frage - welchen lötzinn verwendest du? danke für die info und alles beste hier ausm alpenländle :D

[@Paradiesgestalter]

das wüsste ich auch gern!

[@preciseaudioblog]

Amazing vid! Just curious... could you build it on demand? Thanks!

[@psmusicpro]

What a great video 🙏🏼🙏🏼 Thank you

[@nimrodmotion]

Very good video, thx!

[@foxytv4896]

This preamp is an attempt to build a modern version of the Altec 1566a preamp rather than the UA 610 I guess.... Nice Video though.

[@nlgeorgelos]

Any idea how this compares to an Art MPA II?

[@peterbrandt7911]

Nice review, thanks. Do you have experiences with the Midas Series 500 stuff? Here in Germany, they are unbelievable cheap. The 6 / 10 device lunchbox is only 180 / 200€ and single modules starting at 150€. Even the Alctron stuff is more expensive. It's like the Klark Teknik stuff. I know, both belong to Behringer now, but 199€ for a 1176 or Pultec clone or 299€ for a LA2A clone? All the reviews I found were great, most of them ranged them above way more expensive devices. That's were I started to wonder: Is that all to good, to be true?

Thank you Peter! I recently abandoned my DIY 500 Housing project because of the ultra cheap Midas Legend L10. I have not seen it in person but I'll try to get my hands on one asap.

[@peterbrandt7911]

@, that's great! Thanks alot. I'm still undecided between buying the L6 or L10 or the Klark Teknik Pultec + 1176. Too bad, that Klark Teknik are not offering them in API 500 format, that would make my decision unnessasary. I admit, I just love that form factor. Maybe I'll roll a dice :).

@@peterbrandt7911 I'd go for lowest price per slot - you'll outgrow a small rack quicker than you think! ;-)

[@peterbrandt7911]

@, yes of course. The Klark Teknik stuff is just available as 19", so the choice is more difficult. Or I try a DIY Kit (fear)

[@josephrasbold2180]

Can this kit be shipped to the US?

[@user-cq9my5ju6k]

Of course !

[@GSunNo]

My MP566 gain-switch is never used on high setting :) ymmw

[@VoxJ]

Excellent and very informative! Too bad I can't subscribe twice.

Thanks Robert!!