I Had only built a DI box and two preamps before getting this kit, so I was a bit nervous about critically ruining the project.
No surprise: it did not work when I first tried to calibrate it. However, Jean-Pierre was so helpful in patient with helping me troubleshoot, and within a week it was working perfectly! Thank you so much J.P.!
Now about the gear itself:
I've never had the chance to work with a hardware SSL before, but I have used a number of good hardware compressors before, and many software emulations of an SSL, and this is one of the best compressors I've ever used. The short attack times are remarkably versatile (though an additional 60-100ms option would make the mastering engineer in me very happy). The release curve is super smooth in general, especially for a VCA. And the sidechain filters can turn this little box into a timbral balancing tool, as well. I have a feeling this will be on almost every project I come across for the foreseeable future.
Pierre B 23/10/2020
ready to go preamp!
Preamp terriblement efficace et conforme à la description: si vous avez quelque chose à mettre en valeur dans le mix c'est bien ce preamp qu'il faut choisir!
Le kit est complet, très bien documenté. Attention cependant à bien lire la doc et à ne pas aller trop vite sur le montage même si vous avez l'habitude du DIY.
Et si vous avez un problème, le SAV répond très rapidement. J'ai eut un problème d'inversion de composant et avec la DI, et Jean-Pierre du support a su m'indiquer rapidement ce que je devais modifier.
J'ai pu faire une comparaison A/B avec un 710 universal audio sur une basse électrique, Synthé et voix. Résultat le MP573 remporte le match. Un très beau medium, du bas à revendre mais équilibré (j'ai pensé avoir oublié le low cut sur le 710 au début...), les aigus sont là.
L'avantage du kit: on sait ce qu'il y a dedans et c'est de la qualité! On peut éventuellement corriger soit meme une panne dans le temps. Qualité audio largement supérieur à ce que l'on peut trouver dans le commerce pour le même prix!
Bref Soundskulptor tape fort, le MP573 est devenu mon "ready to go", aussi bien en home studio qu'en live!
Nathan Jaminon 09/04/2020
Un must !!
Ce contrôleur de monitoring est tout simplement excellent: des composants de qualité, un assemblage robuste, des fonctions très utiles et un grand nombre d'entrées et sorties. Si vous n'avez pas besoin d'I/O numériques, c'est le contrôleur de monitoring dont vous avez besoin
Udo Terlisten 15/03/2020
A No-Brainer
Very easy to build,easy use plus some nice extras (HF) compared to the originals.
Sounds exactly the way I wanted it to hear.
Have built two of them meanwhile.Looking at the kit price this is a no-brainer.
Highly recommended!
JG Teheux 12/02/2020
Fabulous "1073"-inspired 500 Series preamp
Fantastic "1073"-style preamp kit for the money! Does everything you could hope this type of pre would do, with the bonus of a great integrated DI, all in the very popular 500 Series format with its many benefits (and no disadvantage, provided you use a good rack with a proper PSU).
The reason I chose SSK over the other popular options (AML, Don Classics, Heritage, AMS Neve, Golden Age Project, Warm Audio...) were :
- fantastic value for the money (partly thanks to the kit form) : for the price of an entry-level clone (GAP...) you get a top notch one (similar in sound quality to other listed above except Warm Audio which I found inferior although better than GAP).
- ease of build, great documentation, all components included in one single order (not the case with Don Classics)
- easily replacable, discrete components (not the case with AMS which has lots of SMD)
- can form a complete "1073" channel strip when combined with the SSK EQ573 module, or used independently : depending on the task at end you can quickly put or remove the EQ from your 500 Series rack (not the case with AML, Don Classics, or Heritage whose EQ doubles up on transformers so less flexible).
- formidable, unparalleled after-sale service by Jean-Pierre of SSK (should you run into any trouble)
The only two things I wish it had on top of that would be an output trim pot providing full attenuation or at least 20dB) and some sort of HPF (as on the Heritage HA-73jr), but these are more small details than real quibbles regarding what you get for the money which I think is unbeatable!
Thanks SSK and JPK for the fantastic kit and support!
Philipp Wilfinger 23/12/2019
Great Sound
Have 4 573s:
Great Preamps!!
Had fun building, Great support as always,
They sound fantastic!
Philipp Wilfinger 23/12/2019
Great Monitor Controller
I was looking at the options out there for monitor controllers with stepped relais. The only ones that would have been interesting would have been arround €3000+
The 624 is the perfect alternative if you like me dont need any digital I/O.
Have worked on mine for over 2 years now - very happy!
Henry 19/12/2019
Best DIY 1073 Clone out there
If you are like me and were trying to decide between this and the AML EZ 1073 for your studio, I've got good news: you came to the right place.
I haven't personally tried the Ez1073 but from others I've heard that the MP573 sounds fatter and phat it sounds.
Additionally, the MP573 has a DI input which is very useful, and it accepts line level input with a flick of a switch- amazing!.
I can't think of a negative thing really, except the output knob could be a bit sturdier as it wobbles slightly, but that doesn't change the sound or the quality of the other parts.
Just phenomenal! I hope Jean-Pierre will make more kits. Merci!
DTP 24/10/2019
Great kit!
Great layout, great documentation, great price and of course the most important thing: GREAT sound!
Next up is an LA502, a pair of EQP501's and a CP4500. Based on this kit, I'm pretty confident those won't disappoint me at all.
Holger Classen 18/10/2019
Excellent Controller
The monitor controller is excellent, much better than my old one. Pristine, clear, wonderful. Recommended.
22/11/2020
Creative Interpretation of the SSL4k
I Had only built a DI box and two preamps before getting this kit, so I was a bit nervous about critically ruining the project.
No surprise: it did not work when I first tried to calibrate it. However, Jean-Pierre was so helpful in patient with helping me troubleshoot, and within a week it was working perfectly! Thank you so much J.P.!
Now about the gear itself:
I've never had the chance to work with a hardware SSL before, but I have used a number of good hardware compressors before, and many software emulations of an SSL, and this is one of the best compressors I've ever used. The short attack times are remarkably versatile (though an additional 60-100ms option would make the mastering engineer in me very happy). The release curve is super smooth in general, especially for a VCA. And the sidechain filters can turn this little box into a timbral balancing tool, as well. I have a feeling this will be on almost every project I come across for the foreseeable future.
23/10/2020
ready to go preamp!
Preamp terriblement efficace et conforme à la description: si vous avez quelque chose à mettre en valeur dans le mix c'est bien ce preamp qu'il faut choisir!
Le kit est complet, très bien documenté. Attention cependant à bien lire la doc et à ne pas aller trop vite sur le montage même si vous avez l'habitude du DIY.
Et si vous avez un problème, le SAV répond très rapidement. J'ai eut un problème d'inversion de composant et avec la DI, et Jean-Pierre du support a su m'indiquer rapidement ce que je devais modifier.
J'ai pu faire une comparaison A/B avec un 710 universal audio sur une basse électrique, Synthé et voix. Résultat le MP573 remporte le match. Un très beau medium, du bas à revendre mais équilibré (j'ai pensé avoir oublié le low cut sur le 710 au début...), les aigus sont là.
L'avantage du kit: on sait ce qu'il y a dedans et c'est de la qualité! On peut éventuellement corriger soit meme une panne dans le temps. Qualité audio largement supérieur à ce que l'on peut trouver dans le commerce pour le même prix!
Bref Soundskulptor tape fort, le MP573 est devenu mon "ready to go", aussi bien en home studio qu'en live!
09/04/2020
Un must !!
Ce contrôleur de monitoring est tout simplement excellent: des composants de qualité, un assemblage robuste, des fonctions très utiles et un grand nombre d'entrées et sorties. Si vous n'avez pas besoin d'I/O numériques, c'est le contrôleur de monitoring dont vous avez besoin
15/03/2020
A No-Brainer
Very easy to build,easy use plus some nice extras (HF) compared to the originals.
Sounds exactly the way I wanted it to hear.
Have built two of them meanwhile.Looking at the kit price this is a no-brainer.
Highly recommended!
12/02/2020
Fabulous "1073"-inspired 500 Series preamp
Fantastic "1073"-style preamp kit for the money! Does everything you could hope this type of pre would do, with the bonus of a great integrated DI, all in the very popular 500 Series format with its many benefits (and no disadvantage, provided you use a good rack with a proper PSU).
The reason I chose SSK over the other popular options (AML, Don Classics, Heritage, AMS Neve, Golden Age Project, Warm Audio...) were :
- fantastic value for the money (partly thanks to the kit form) : for the price of an entry-level clone (GAP...) you get a top notch one (similar in sound quality to other listed above except Warm Audio which I found inferior although better than GAP).
- ease of build, great documentation, all components included in one single order (not the case with Don Classics)
- easily replacable, discrete components (not the case with AMS which has lots of SMD)
- can form a complete "1073" channel strip when combined with the SSK EQ573 module, or used independently : depending on the task at end you can quickly put or remove the EQ from your 500 Series rack (not the case with AML, Don Classics, or Heritage whose EQ doubles up on transformers so less flexible).
- formidable, unparalleled after-sale service by Jean-Pierre of SSK (should you run into any trouble)
The only two things I wish it had on top of that would be an output trim pot providing full attenuation or at least 20dB) and some sort of HPF (as on the Heritage HA-73jr), but these are more small details than real quibbles regarding what you get for the money which I think is unbeatable!
Thanks SSK and JPK for the fantastic kit and support!
23/12/2019
Great Sound
Have 4 573s:
Great Preamps!!
Had fun building, Great support as always,
They sound fantastic!
23/12/2019
Great Monitor Controller
I was looking at the options out there for monitor controllers with stepped relais. The only ones that would have been interesting would have been arround €3000+
The 624 is the perfect alternative if you like me dont need any digital I/O.
Have worked on mine for over 2 years now - very happy!
19/12/2019
Best DIY 1073 Clone out there
If you are like me and were trying to decide between this and the AML EZ 1073 for your studio, I've got good news: you came to the right place.
I haven't personally tried the Ez1073 but from others I've heard that the MP573 sounds fatter and phat it sounds.
Additionally, the MP573 has a DI input which is very useful, and it accepts line level input with a flick of a switch- amazing!.
I can't think of a negative thing really, except the output knob could be a bit sturdier as it wobbles slightly, but that doesn't change the sound or the quality of the other parts.
Just phenomenal! I hope Jean-Pierre will make more kits. Merci!
24/10/2019
Great kit!
Great layout, great documentation, great price and of course the most important thing: GREAT sound!
Next up is an LA502, a pair of EQP501's and a CP4500. Based on this kit, I'm pretty confident those won't disappoint me at all.
18/10/2019
Excellent Controller
The monitor controller is excellent, much better than my old one. Pristine, clear, wonderful. Recommended.