Sound Skulptor: MP573 Microphone preamplifier for the '500' Lunchbox

Reviews for the product - MP573 Microphone preamplifier for the '500' Lunchbox - Kit (Back to product)

9 Product Reviews - Average rating 5 / 5 (Best Rated | Worst Rated | Most Recent | Oldest)

Excellent!

Claudio - 15/04/2018

The MP573 was the very first DIY preamp I’ve ever built. Even with very little soldering experience building it was a breeze – thanks to the detailed assembly guide. By now, I own five different outboard preamps, but the MP573 is still my favourite for male vocals, acoustic and electric guitars as well as bass.

I’ve never had a Neve 1073 in my studio, so I can’t really say how close the MP573 is to the original, but I do know that it is a solid piece of gear with high quality components and an excellent warm and rich sound.

One thing I sometimes miss is a trim knob that can attenuate the signal by more than the currently available 10 dB. If I want to drive the input transformer really hot for a fat distorted sound, it’s sometimes difficult to bring down the volume of the preamp to a level that does not distort my audio interface. I found a workaround for that, but having the option in the module would be helpful.

Other than that, the MP573 is a wonderful preamp which I highly recommend. Thanks to Sound Skulptor for this kit!

Mmmmmm

ZMFG - 01/08/2018

For the record, I had never soldered before I bought my first Sound Skulptor kit (CP5176). I love this pre! I use it for everything, but it's especially cool on vocals. It may be taboo, but I even use it on acoustic guitar. The build is easy and straightforward. The sound is great from crisp cleans to colorful harmonic overdrive (I like this on some vocals and bass).

MP573 is FANTASTIC!!!

Karl J - 27/12/2018

Hello. I just wanted to throw you some feedback (of the good kind). Now that I've had my 573 pre in use for over 1.5 year, I gotta say it's GREAT! I have some other Neve clones and legit API 512c pres and the 573 hangs right with them. In fact, the DI is so huge it's become my go to for Bass guitar. The 573 has also been doing the main vocal tracks on my current project, as well as having some duties recording guitars through Marshall amp.

I'm tracking drums for my project in two weeks and plan on using the 573 with a tube mic for "front of kit" duties and I know it will sound HUGE!

All said, it is a great kit at a reasonable price. It arrived quickly! And JPK is great at answering the tech questions.

I still have a slot left in my lunchbox and am curious about the MP566. But another MP573 is very likely. I can't recommend it enough!

Best DIY 1073 Clone out there

Henry - 19/12/2019

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!

Great Sound

Philipp Wilfinger - 23/12/2019

Have 4 573s:
Great Preamps!!
Had fun building, Great support as always,
They sound fantastic!

Fabulous "1073"-inspired 500 Series preamp

JG Teheux - 12/02/2020

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!

ready to go preamp!

Pierre B - 23/10/2020

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!

Another great piece of gear

Udo Terlisten - 27/02/2021

I must say this is a very good preamp when it comes to that „bigger than life“-sounds on vocals.It was very easy to build,same as all the other kits I built from Soundskulptor so far.Very well prepared,no missing parts,superfast shipping to germany.Another great addition to my arsenal,congrats Jean-Pierre!

Best regards and keep it going,

Udo.

Parfait pour les voix, guitare acoustique, overhead

Clergeot Michael - 30/06/2021

Je l'utilise sur des voix, guitare acoustique, overhead batterie (j'ai enfin un beau et vrai son de cymbale !).
Il est assez doux et enrichi délicatement le son.

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