AB528 Mic Pre, Abbey Rd style for the 500 series - DIY Analog Pro Audi
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  • AB528 Mic Pre, Abbey Rd style for the 500 series - DIY Analog Pro Audi
  • AB528 Mic Pre, Abbey Rd style for the 500 series - DIY Analog Pro Audi

AB528 Microphone preamplifier for the 500 series

$309.00
$309.00 VAT incl.
$309.00 VAT excl.

The AB528 is a transformers coupled, class A mic preamp. The design, from the late 60's, is inspired by a legendary console, that was used at the most famous London studio by the greatest artists, such as the Beatles or Pink Floyd.

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AB528

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The AB528 is a transformers coupled, class A mic preamp. The design, from the late 60's, is inspired by a legendary console, that was used at the most famous London studio by the greatest artists, such as the Beatles or Pink Floyd.

The AB528 is a pre with character, vintage sounding, warm and silky, with a lot of attitude when driven hard.


Highlights

    • Transformers on input and output,
    • 0 to 60 dB of gain, 66dB on 300 Ohms
    • Switchable between 300 Ohms, 1200 Ohms and line input impedance,
    • DI input, relay switched, the signal passes through both transformers,
    • Signal/Clip LED,
    • All low level signals switched by relays,
    • High grade components throughout,
    • High grade double sided PCB with plated holes,
    • Easy build,
    • Available assembled or as a full kit (everything included).

Bootstrap Image Preview

Controls

1: Output level: Potentiometer that sets the signal level to the output stage. Works like a console fader and allows driving the preamp hard.

2: Signal/Clip LED: Flashes green when a signal is present and turns red 3 dB before clipping

3: Gain switch: Sets the gain between +10 and +60dB.

4: Input impedance: Center is the standard 1200 Ohms input impedance. Left sets a 300 Ohms low impedance and adds 6 dB of gain, useful for ribbon mics. Right sets a 6 kOhm impedance input pad for line levels.

5: Polarity; Sets the polarity (phase) of the output signal

6: phantom power to the microphone

7: High impedance input (1.5 megohm) for instruments. The instrument signal goes through both transformers.


What's in the kit?

Absolutely everything!

  • Passive components (resistors, capacitors),
  • 2 transformers
  • Active components (diodes, transistors, LED, ...),
  • Front panel elements (switches, potentiometers, knobs),
  • Connectors, relays,
  • PCB's,
  • Front panel and side panel,
  • All hardware

You bring the solder (use good quality solder, 1mm diameter max) and the Lunchbox.


Difficulty level

The AB528 kit is an easy build.
There is no setup needed.

PK020

Specific References


Technical specifications

Measure Conditions Value
Iddle supply current No input signal

V+ : +85mA
V- : -82mA
Input impedance f=1kHz 300Ω, 1200Ω and 6kΩ
Maximum output level before clip f=1kHz +27.6dBu
Maximum gain   +60dB (+66dB on 300 Ohms)
Equivalent input noise (EIN) Zin=0Ω
Bandwidth=20-30kHz		 -127dBu
Frequency response Gain=+40dB
Zin=150Ω
Deviation < 1dB		 5Hz-27kHz
THD f=1kHz
Gain=+40dB		 < 0.015%
THD f=1kHz
Gain=+60dB		 < 0.07%
DI input impedance   > 1.5MΩ

Documentation

DOCS Code Documents
From DOCS-24 Parts list
Components layout
Assembly guide
Schematic

MP573 vs AB528 comparison on acoustic guitar

Reviews

Write your review
Grade 
Quality

Nimrod Sz
 12/13/2024

Awesome thickness!

This was my second Sound Skulptor pre, and like the first one, was very easy to build due to the very detailed assembly guide. Every component is of high quality. But here comes the best part: the sound of this pre is unbelievable! It makes everything sound thick and full. Amazing on any instrument or voice. If driven hard on drums, it does that beautiful saturation, cuts down the peaks, while adding even more punchiness to the sound. Gorgeous!

Grade 
Quality

Tom T
 03/12/2024

My own private Abbey Road!

I’m a rookie in soldering, so I did some cheap 10€ practice kits before building this preamp.
The instructions you get are very clear and - with the help of some pictures - easy to follow (but still, stay focused!!).
Off course I made a mistake somewhere, but Jean-Pierre was very helpful (thanks, JP!!).
In the end we got it running.
I’ve just finished building my 3rd AB528 and they all work fine (and they look great!)!

I have the preamps on a RME soundcard and two ISA-One preamps.
For me, the AB528 is definitively at the same quality level, but it adds more character.
You can really distort the sound if you push it hard enough.
The DI generates a nice full sound!

Other than that it’s even more satisfying to use gear that you assembled yourself!
Thanks for making this possible!!
Currently working on my 4th …

Grade 
Quality

Tom T
 03/05/2024

Topgear!

I’m a rookie in soldering, so I did some cheap practice kits before building this preamp.
The instructions are very clear and thanks to the pictures easy to follow (but still, stay focused!!).
Off course I made a mistake somewhere, but Jean-Pierre was very helpful (thanks, JP!!).
I’ve just finished building my 3rd AB528 and they all work fine!

I have my RME preamps on the soundcard and two ISA-One preamps.
For me, the AB528 is definitively at the same quality level, but it adds more character.
Also the DI generates a nice full sound!

Other then that it’s even more satisfying to use gear that you assembled yourself!
Thanks for making this possible!!
Working on my 4th …

Grade 
Emil Sarlija
 04/24/2023

Awesome preamp

I've built tube amps, transceivers, radios, fuzz boxes, but this is my first pro audio kit and my first 500 series module. The documentation is detailed and excellent, the quality of parts is high, and the panel looks professional. There is no need to trawl through forums for information, all the information needed to build it is an a few PDF files. It worked the first time and the finished module looks as good as a commercial product. Yes, it also sounds beautiful and crisp. I got way more than my moneys worth and plan on building more Sound Skulptor modules. These are kits done properly.

Grade 
LKL
 04/11/2023

The Better Maker

First, while I have assembled other DIY kits, there were certain aspects with this kit that were challenging. Soldering the pin connectors was not exactly easy. I made sure to go over the instructions many times before each step and I took my time. The pay off was that the preamp worked after the final step and has worked solidly since. (I did have one issue in the middle of the build, but JPK quickly rectified it. Wonderful customer service.)

I have never recorded through an EMI preamp or the TG, but what I can tell you is that everything is thicker recorded through the AB528. For example, my snare through an SM57 has more detail and just needs less eq and/or compression.

Using some other old dynamics on guitar with the gain cranked up and the output trim low, really gave some pleasing sounds.

Even the cheap 20 dollar monoprice ribbon mic had depth yet a richness on guitar room.

Keep in mind this is a home studio that is not fully treated. I feel like this mic pre is a better maker, and the kind of tool I want more of in my studio. I definitely see more Sound Skulptor products in my future.

Grade 
Matt Stephanson
 02/28/2023

One's not enough!

This is an amazingly well put-together kit and was done in a slow afternoon. The sound is solid, even pushing on thick or massive (ya words), without being wooly. This pre renders a room with a very accurate sense of space - I would want to put up a pair for OH duties.

So far, just used it on vocal tracking where it's been a treat. Dialing up the gain while reducing the output is so functional in this pre - it's all smiles. Plus - there's the very cool faceplate and knobs.

PCB layout and quality is great, no issues whatsoever installing everything.

Next on the list is a second of these before trying out that Vari-mu comp! Thanks, JP!

Write your review

AB528 Microphone preamplifier for the 500 series

The AB528 is a transformers coupled, class A mic preamp. The design, from the late 60's, is inspired by a legendary console, that was used at the most famous London studio by the greatest artists, such as the Beatles or Pink Floyd.

Write your review

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