How to Build your Own Preamp - CAPI VP28 (API Mic Preamp) DIY Build PART 1

[@kettnsaeg]

thank you for the inspiration - I've started a build for a soundskulptor preamp... respect for the camerawork by the way, it's not easy to get the small details in focus/ not move out of focus!

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks for the comment. Which sound Skulptor preamp are you building? Always curious! Haha.

[@kettnsaeg]

@@diyrecordingstudio I am building a MP573. I really enjoy the process but I'm glad they also offer the "repair service" incase I mess up - I haven't tried a build of this scope so far.

[@jakobhovman]

Great video, Thank You. Workflow Tips for next project: Best to bend and cut the resistor legs, before soldering... so the ends are covered too. Else, Bare copper in the cut will corrode over time, and cause a non conductive layer. Also, the clippers can shock the soldering...mostly on single sided PCB. Greetings.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks for the great tip Jakob!

[@guillermomartin5167]

Hi! Can't be purchased already assembled?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

You can buy them assembled! They sell them pre assembled on their website.

[@guillermomartin5167]

@@diyrecordingstudio Thanks a lot. It was really helpful!

[@CJWest]

What do I need to build one? Will I need a lunch box for it or power supply? And someone told me 500 series is only mono so I'd need 2 for vocals

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Hi CJ, Thanks for stopping by. OK, CAPI supplies all the parts, you just need a good soldering iron and a steady hand. Have you soldered before? A lunch box is needed as a power supply, there are many of these as different price points with different amounts of slots. You can get 1 up to 11 slots depending on price. You don't need to record vocals in stereo, so you would only need 1 mic Preamp. The benefit of these preamps is they are very high quality (exactly what you'd find in a pro studio) compared to something like what you would find in a cheap usb interface.

[@BradMillsXRP]

What did you say? Did you say rectum fire? Isn’t it called a rectifier?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Hahahha.

[@GoLongboardBroseph]

Yeah! Capi :)

[@diyrecordingstudio]

They are nice. Jeff has some amazing gear to build. I'm thinking of getting some bt50's sometime soon. Running out of space though in my rack.

[@preciseaudioblog]

Have you tried it already?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yes. Great sounding pre. Mid forward and punchy. Great for recording electric guitars. Awesome to run my mix buss through as well in final mix down.

[@preciseaudioblog]

@@diyrecordingstudio I had no idea you could run a preamp in the mix buss. Cheers!

[@FunkSau]

Why do you solder the doa‘s from the top?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Do you mean the DOA sockets?

[@FunkSau]

yes

[@diyrecordingstudio]

@@FunkSau they're just sockets. You can solder them either side. It doesn't matter. It was just easier this way.

[@badmacbassandbass8118]

approx how long did i take you to assemble one ?

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Hi There, maybe about a day. Depends on how quick you can solder. The opamps take a while too. theyre tricky and you dont want to rush them.

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

Don't believe the hype : CAPI are NOT API clones.

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Yeah you’re right, they’re BETTER! 😂

[@MartinMartin-yi9to]

@@diyrecordingstudio Touring as a comedian OR dimply deaf? I guess the second.

[@FrankOlsonTwins]

Some great tips in here, especially about not overheating transistors- which happens more often than one might think. Nice video, looking forward to part 2. I need to make a pair of API's for my own studio......🎛🎛

[@diyrecordingstudio]

Thanks, I really dig your channel, especially the stuff you've done on ribbon mics. I definitely want to make one from scratch very soon. The CAPI's are very cool, I use them on kick and snare at the moment and they sound great. I want to build some of their EQ's soon too.