DOWNLOAD: Olmsted Quad Direct Inject
Let’s say that you have many vintage keyboards with weak output levels and often with high (10k ohm or above) output impedance. You’d want to bring them up to modern operating levels and a low source impedance, and maybe to be able to color the sound with some grit. Based on these parameters, here is what I developed.
I found this to be a very interesting piece to develop because it seems to synthesize several notable trends in modern music in one device. First of all, the desire to be able to add grit/fuzz/overdrive to the sort of instruments that were considered best left ‘clean’ for many decades. Sure, guitar amps have boasted of ‘overdrive channels’ since the mid seventies; but keyboard amps? Not until recently. Second, the prevalence of keyboards/synths in rock music in general: not done some much in the Grunge era, back in a big way now, especially since bands like Animal Collective became the standard-bearers of Indie. Next, the console-less pro studio! Not a big surprise there. You can’t give consoles away anymore. And, finally, lest-i-get-too-meta, the current widespread cultural appreciation of all things handmade + crafted, especially those that function through obsolete or antique technologies. Could a similarly-functioning apparatus be strung together for the same price out of a pile of Chinese-made prosumer audio gear? Probably. But it probably wouldn’t sound this good or function this ergonomically. And definitely not at 375 volts.
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Like the Jedi Knight who made his own lightsaber, the apprentice recording engineer should be required to build something from scratch before proceeding. He should have to have a firm electronic foundation, be able to solder, and do basic sheet metal work without cutting off any fingers. Usually a mic pre is the best starter project but a guitar amp or direct box would do.
That looks really great! Can I ask where that chassis is from? It looks like a good sturdy one.
hI James. It's a Hammond. Model RMCS190313BK1 from Mouser. I add additional steel reinforcement inside the chassis.