Homemade preamp

cornbb

Hey all,

I'm collecting the bits and pieces to make an audio workstation, next thing i need is a simple preamp to boost the mic and/or guitar signals going into my soundcard. I figure it'd be easy and maybe fun to make one. Anyone got any pointers or handy links?

Jeanious

Either of these any use?

Paladin

A few ways of going about this.
You could get something like this:

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_zoom_ps04_4spur_multitrackrecorder_prodinfo.html

which bypasses the need to build a pre-amp, and can add effects and do loads of recording by itself (I have the PS02 model and its great).

You could get a simple op-amp and a pot to control gain/volume.

You could build a differential amplifier (preamp) with a few filters on it that would be bass/mid/treble. Loads of circuits on the net for these. Google for it.
I would advise against this method unless you have loads of time to burn.

If you want to build some sort of electronic device without too much complication then buy an audio preamp chip. Do a google for Analog Devices audio amplifier chip or maybe a Maxim chip. Will require a few caps and resistors to add onto the chip and a power supply and it will do your preamp, bass/mid/treble for you.

Alternatively you could find an old hi-fi or instrument amplifier and take the pre-amp from it.

CAUTION:
Before hooking up your pre-amp to PC soundcard make absolutely certain the maximum output voltages and currents are limited so as not to fry your card. The Analog or Maxim chips will be fine for this but be careful if you use an old pre-amp or build one.

cornbb

Thanks for the replies.

I only need something absolutely basic (9v, one input and one output, maybe a gain control) but I haven't messed round with electronics since secondary school so I might chicken out of making one myself. I'll google away and see what shows up.

Eoin Madsen

http://sound.westhost.com/project66.htm

There are various other useful projects on the site, including a power supply for the above.