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The SK-1DI is a 500 Series Mic Preamp with built-in DI input. It is based on our popular SC-1 Mic Preamp Kit, with an added Direct Inject (DI) circuitry for high-impedance signal sources like electric or bass guitars. It is a clean, "fast", clear, low-noise, high-gain preamp. Its sound is very transparent, offering a flat response, smooth highs and well-defined mids.

This is a great project for a first-time beginner to kit building. The kit is very affordable, but don't let it's low price fool you. This preamp delivers top-notch performance.

An API Rack/Lunchbox or compatible rack is required to supply power and the necessary XLR input and output connections to the SK-1DI module.

500 Series format, for use with API rack/lunchbox or compatible rack
Precision Laser cut tinted/transparent front panel - included! So you can show-off the "guts" of your DIY build
Aluminum sled carrier - Included!
Knobs - Included!
Actually... everything is included! Spacers, screws, nuts, and all parts to build a working SK-1DI Mic Preamp + DI Module
All solid-state design, using chipsets from THAT Corp and Burr-Brown
Soft-start, slow ramp-on +48V phantom power
Simple to use Gain control, up to +72dB
Robust 48Volt short circuit protection (from accidental phantom power shorts)
LED indicators for phantom power, -20dB pad, polarity reverse and Mic/DI input
Relay controlled Pad
Relay controlled Polarity Reverse
Built-in DI 1/4" jack inputs for electric and bass guitars
Electronically balanced input and output stages with option to use Output Transformer
Input RFI protection
Input clamping protection
Output surge protection circuit
Output RFI protection
Gold-plated, machined, low-profile IC sockets
Use of high quality 1% Metal Film resistors, and high-quality ceramic and electrolytic capacitors
Easy to assemble, easy to troubleshoot design

Download PDF Assembly Guide (10MB High Resolution)

Note: The SC-1, SC-1mk2, SC-1mk3, SC-1mk500 (now renamed SC-501) and SK-1DI all have the same audio DNA, and share the same audio path circuitry. To read related reviews, click here.

SK-1DI Mic Preamp + DI - DIY Kit

$125 Complete 500-Series DIY Kit

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Audio Demo

Vocals using SC-1 Mic Preamp
Courtesy of Jason Mallow How does the SC-1 pre sound with vocals? This clips shows the SC-1 used as a vocal mic preamp with a Neumann M147 and Oktava 319 microphones.

Vocal solo
Vocals in mix setting (chorus snippet only)

Written by Jeff Evans and performed by Sazerac www.sazerac.tv Recorded and mixed by Jason Mallow

SC-1 Preamp on Everything - Farview Recording Studios
Special thanks to Jason Walsh of Farview Recording studios for providing these audio samples
Note: This is an UNMASTERED mix recording created by Jason Walsh of Farview Recording Studios. SC-1 preamps was used on everything... drums, ryhthm and lead guitars, and bass.

In Jason's own words: "The guitar sounds I use throw off a ton of low end, the bass was recorded hrough an Ampeg SVT set at war volume, my drums are giant heavy metal drums from the 80's...there is some low end going on. The cool thing about your preamps is that they capture that low end without pooping out. The bass was both DI and mic'd cab. The guitars were double mic'd. A 57 and a ribbon for the rhythms, and a 57 and 421 for the lead. I like these things for guitar better than my Amek 9098 preamps that have been my go-to's."

MP3 file

SC-1 Preamps on everything. Mic and signal chain detail as follows:

The acoustic guitar is an Ovation LX series. The DI used was a Radial J48 active DI. It was mic'd with two Shure SM81's in an XY configuration. http://www.fivefishstudios.com/audio/SC1-AcousticGuitar.mp3
Drum mix: http://www.fivefishstudios.com/audio/SC1demo-drum_mix.mp3
The kick was recorded with a AKG D-112 inside and a Shure Beta 52 in the vent hole.
The snare was recorded with a Shure SM57 on top and an Octava MK-012 on the bottom.
The toms were recorded through Sennheiser E504's.
The overheads are Shure SM81's in an XY pattern.
The bass was run through a Radial J48 active DI and an Ampeg SVT Classic miced with an Audio Technica 4033.
The rhythm guitars were a PRS Mc Carty with stock humbuckers into a Bogner Ecstasy 101 b fitted with EL34's and a Marshall cabinet mic'd with a Shure SM-57 and a Cascade Fathead II ribbon mic.
The lead was a PRS Mc Carty with soapbar pickups through the same amp and cabinet mic'd with a Shure SM-57 and a Sennheiser MD421.

CREDITS: Written and performed by Jason Mallow, www.myspace.com/kingsizeotis Recorded and mixed by Jason Walsh, Farview Recording, www.farviewrecording.com

On-Location Stereo Match Pair Recording SC-1
Using Matched pair of Oktava mk012 cardiod Microphones 2-channels SC-1 Preamp recorded into a Yamaha AW1600
Bass and guitar are amplified. The room dimensions are about 3 x 5.5 m (10 x 18ft).

"Without Jean" by Ger Goltstein & Conny Peters in memoriam Jean Innemée 01/08/2007

Credits: Recording by: Geert Goltstein Featuring: Take 55 Ger Goltstein - saxophone Leo Lindelauf - piano Joost Heerkens - guitar Evert Eillert - bass Harry Krispijn - drums

Neumann U-87, Apogee Converters and SC-1 Mic Preamp
Another vocal sample submitted by Laurent Boutonnat from France. Thank you Laurent!
According to Laurent, this was recorded using a Neumann U-87 mic, with Evidence Audio cable, the SC-1 mic preamp, and Apogee converters.

Drôle de Creepie, theme song of 'Growing up Creepie'

Music: Laurent Boutonnat
Lyrics: Mylène Farmer
Interpreted by: Lisa

Neumann U-67, API 525C, Weiss ADC-1 and SC-1 Mic Preamp
Thanks to Laurent Boutonnat for these audio samples.

Audio Sample

FAIR USE ONLY
User comments: Notice the clearity and depth in the vocals and how well they are situated in the mix. This is probably the most important character of a pre-amp: how well it let's the vocal or solo instrument sound in the mix. I also used the SC-1 on the D-50 which you hear in the background and solo in the coda.
Artist: Mylène Farmer

SK-1DI Mic Preamp + DI Kit

SK-1DI Mic Preamp + DI - DIY Kit

Audio Demo

FiveFish Audio