in search of: simple preamp to embed in cab sim + DI box

[jcpst]

I'm looking at building my own spin on some of the DIY projects I've seen around here, like the Marriage Keeper (Unicab + Headphone Amp), the Destiny Behemoth (Amp Sim + Cab Sim + reverb + headphone amp), or the Modular Combo Pedal.

For my preamp, the smaller and simpler, the better. It doesn't need to be able to create much or any dirt. But it definitely needs to be able to do clean.

The idea is, if I don't plug a separate preamp pedal in before by unicab/heaphone combo, I have "something" sweetening the tone a bit, rather than straight guitar into the Unicab.

Here's the feature set for my idea:
- basic preamp (w/ bypass)
- cab sim (w/ bypass)
- headphone out
- balanced DI out

So if I just have a guitar, I have the options needed for a useable tone. Or, if I just need a DI, I can flip off both the preamp and cab sim.

All ideas are welcome!

 

[Feral Feline]

CHOP SHOP right here at PedalPCB
There's a reason these things have a version made by Guillaume without an on/off stomper.


or

TILLMAN Pre — so simple you can do it P2P or on a scrap of perf (or vero).

 

[jcpst]

CHOP SHOP right here at PedalPCB

I have that on the way! And thanks for introducing me to the Tillman, I’m gonna try that out.

 

[Synchrony Pedalworks]

If you made something like my Marriage keeper, I think you could fit these two in the enclosure.

EVPreamp - PedalPCB.com

Compare to Uni-Vibe Preamp

www.pedalpcb.com

Celsius Preamp - PedalPCB.com

Compare to Boss CE-1 Preamp

www.pedalpcb.com

Now, that you mention this idea….I do have the EVPreamp lying around. I think I may throw it into the enclosure!

 

[jcpst]

I thought I’d be able to audition the tillman pretty quick, but I wasn’t getting anywhere with the lone J201 I had on hand.

I did just put the Celsius on the breadboard, and I think this is very much like what I’m looking for.

I’ll give the EV a spin too, just checked and I do have 2N5088s on hand.

 

[Diynot]

Dead simple DI I pilfered from another build report here and used in my unicab build. https://tataylino.com/simple-di-box/#google_vignette
Works well with my acoustic rig. As far as a pre maybe consider the frequency interchange, simple eq and gain
https://www.pedalpcb.com/product/pcb553/