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The 818 name is a slight nod to the 918 and an homage to the area code where Jensen Transformers was and continues to be headquartered (and Cinemag too) – the San Fernando Valley in California, the Silicon State.
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These are my go-to preamps for drum recording. I then went on to build 6 ez1081 mic preamps for the API 500-series and these get a lot of use at Threecircles. Referencing Jensen's original 918 documentation as well as the 990 application notes, I added multiple input and output transformer manufacturer options, mic input circuitry and a DI. I have built the ez1073 preamp and equaliser which I documented in a previous blog post. It is offered as a pre-assembled 500-series unit or as a DIY kit for a rack-mount case. I initially made this mic pre for myself because I found some vintage Pacific Recorders 918 blocks with a huge non-2520 footprint. Projects > EZ1073 DIY Neve Preamp Designed by Colin Adshead of Audio Maintenance, the EZ1073 contains both the microphone preamp and EQ section of the original Neve 1073 console module. An output fader allows you to drive the transistors and transformers harder for saturated tone while maintaining optimal recording level. A total of 3 transformers in the signal path makes the 818 the ultimate preamp for instrument tracking. circuit and runs the signal through a third transformer (the aforementioned brands or Pikatron) allowing direct recordings for guitar, bass, synth or drum machine. The unbalanced input automatically switches to a D.I. With the high fidelity yet vintage tone of Deane Jensen's 918 discrete op amp at the heart and your choice of transformers (Jensen, Cinemag, Lundahl) in the signal path, the 818 provides the clean and thick sound you need to make the best recordings possible. Discrete transformer-balanced mic and instrument preamplifier for 500 series racks.