Tools for moding preamps
In no particular order
1 DREMEL TOOL
2 WELLER SOLDERING STATION WS51
3 GOOD SOLDER WICK AND GOOD SOLDER SUCKER MADE BY SOLDAPULLT get a metal one if you can find it
4 Good solder very important I use silver solder but you don't have to have it. Regular will do in a pinch
5 Demineralized water for soldering station to clean tip with never use tap water.
6 Good set of hand tools good set of electronics cutters like Xcelite 170m needle noise pliers and good jewelers screwdriver set.
7 Good multi-meter with capacitance and db if possible (remember caps are something you will change with moding a preamp) so you have to have accurate capacitance measurements and voltage.
8 Good work lights I have 3 50w halogen work lights so I can see what’s what.
9 A plan, never do a mod with out a good plan. How are you going to fit the parts in and what the end result will be?
10 Patients every time I screw something up its because I was in a hurry to get it done doing mods and working on electronics especially when you did not design the circuit involves patents always take your time, Make sure caps are in the right way IC'S are in the right way and transistors are not backwards
I was working for this music shop as a summer job when I was 16 as an electronics tech, this customer brought in this compressor because one light in the vu stayed on he was a bass player and needed it for a gig that night. I found that it was the display driver IC chip for the vu that was shot so I got a new one at my local electronics shop and put it in BACKWARDS! Now his compressor is toast and I have allot more to fix then just a broken led driver. I learned my lesion I actually got fired because of it. So take your time
Last but not least a good way of checking your mods, and is what I do is use a computer program like WINAUDIOMLS to measure the preamp before and after using MLS or some form of spectral analysis to see the difference. BUT the most important tool is your ears at the end of the day. If you do not like the sound of your mod be able to put it back.
As far as testing goes send me a picture of the inside of the preamp I can give you a few ideas a schematic would also be good.
Good luck let me know if I can help you in any way I have access to all types of parts if I don’t have it I know where to get it.
Let me know if you need any advice for your mod project. I would be glad to help you out.
Chris Church
Step 1: Picking the unit to mod
Based on initial posts, it seems that the smpro audio pr4v is a good candidate for modding. Of course we don't know till I get it and open it up, but it seems like something that is usable for many tapers who dable in 4 track and or thoes who just want an external 110 powered pre. I will be expecting mine late next week! I purchased mine here http://www.samedaymusic.com/productreview--STOPR4 for $80 shipped.
Step2: Initial testing and testing tools
Ok, so other than a visual inspection of the physical size limitations and visual identification of componants. What other testing should be done prior to ordering parts? What tools do I need to do this? Is a multimeter going to get me through this project or do I need other testing equiptment?
Matt
I was bustin' your chops in that other Thread Chris. Although, if you can tell me what tools I will need for this type of thing that will be nice (step 2) I would like to get whatever I need so I can start working on it as soon as I get it. I'm very excited about this! My words about pro's helping on this at the top of the thread are true. I don't want thoes using their skills to make money to jeprodise their income by putting their tricks out for all to see. As Richard stated though, that probably isn't going to be the case, but it is each's own decesion to make.
Matt