Click here for more details about the SK-1DI Mic Preamp Kit.
Back in October 1st, we released our SK-1DI Mic Preamp Kit for the 500 Series API format. I’m happy to announce that Rev.1.2 PCB is now out, incorporating fixes and suggestions from our customers and fixing a few other issues that bugs me.
The SK-1DI is a clean, low-noise mic preamp that excels in recording acoustic guitars, strings, percussion, drums (closed mic and overhead duties), female & male vocals, bass guitar and other sources. The pedigree of the SK-1DI mic preamp kit is our SC-1 and SC-501 mic preamp, both which have garnered very good reviews and feedback from our users.
The SK-1DI Mic Preamp is provided as a Do-It-Yourself KIT, so some assembly is required. But don’t fret, because an easy to follow assembly guide, with high-resolution photos, bill of materials, schematic diagram, and PCB component guide, is available to the kit builder to make assembly easy and problem-free! http://fivefishaudio.com/pdf/SK1DIAssemblyGuide.pdf
A few things bug me about the Rev1.0 release… The biggest niggle is the need to wire the 48Volt line to the switch. Ooops!… in my PCB design program, in the schematic section, I made a mistake. The NET NAMES for the 48Volt line turned out to be different, and so the connection wasn’t made properly for this 48Volt line during the PCB design process. The new PCB revision Rev.1.2 fixes this issue. So there will be no more need for this ugly jumper!
Another issue I’m not happy about is the need to use a grounding wire, to make a ground connection to the aluminum sled.
The latest Rev.1.2 PCB fixes the above problem by placing a big conductive pad around the mounting holes. When you attach the aluminum spacer/standoff and screws and nut, it will automatically ground the aluminum sled to the PCB’s ground plane. Grounding the aluminum sled offers shielding and reduces noise and RF interference.
I also made a few other minor adjustments in component placement, silkscreen layout in PCB Rev.1.2 to make building this mic preamp as “painless” and “as easy as possible” for the end-user.
The advantage of building your own gear is the ability to customize the project to your needs and preference. So we’re also providing kit builders the option to install a VU Meter board, upgrade to a 12-step selector switch for the Gain Control, and also upgrade to an anodized aluminum, and CNC-engraved front panel. These extra upgrades are a separate purchase as not everybody will probably want them.
Below is a photo of the newest Rev.1.2 PCB. I’ll be updating the Assembly PDF Manual to incorporate the new Rev.1.2 photo, and removing some ERRATA instructions that don’t apply anymore.
As always, we’re constantly trying to improve our products based on customer feedback and internal research and development. We hope you’d enjoy building this SK-1DI Mic Preamp Kit and also using it in your recording gigs.
Click here for more details about the SK-1DI Mic Preamp Kit.
