Just finished the prototypes for a commission for Can Bus King automotive vanity lighting specialist. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1777311351983-156649176.JPEG">

Can Bus King - Automotive Grade Vanity Lights

Vintage Microphones For sale | North West England, UK I have some microphones for sale..As most of my work is now in the film post production industry making good use of my Dandy DPA 4060/61's Nemann U87's and Sennheiser MKH 416's, I have reluctantly decided to put my 80's studio dynamic microphone collection up for sale.. The collection includes 3 x Sennheiser MD421's 1 x Sennheiser MD441, Sennheiser MD409 and AKG D12 all owned from new and recently serviced by my good self... <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771551784168-842044991.JPEG"><img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771551877998-736921446.JPEG"><img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771366671544-871361912.JPEG"><img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771366679197-915608437.JPEG"><img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771366688809-441911307.JPEG"><img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771366741712-713709691.JPEG"><img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1771366746926-319339151.JPEG">

Vintage Microphones For sale | North West England, UK

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1770145318161-643385835.png"> $50 to program my $5 Zigbee sniffer dongle? Yeah right.. I guess I'll just have to write a program to turn my $5 esp32 S3 Zero into a programmer oooh! I already did!

TI Zigbee RF Sniffer

At last, I actually got close to getting more out of Claude Code than I put in! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1769538480459-676113633.png">

Claude Code 2.4Ghz Dipole Antenna

You take a 'well seasoned' 90's Chicago built US <a href="https://www.lakland.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lakland</a> bass, replace the fingerboard with the curiously epoxied in frets, and have it lovingly Luthiered by hand in the UK by an experienced English OCD.. <a href="https://plek.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Plek</a> my ass... <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1767053174407-643933323.png">

Sadowsky Bass

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1767099860666-736285948.jpg"> I owe <a href="https://lilygo.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LILYGO®</a> an apology.. I had a few issues with some of my development modules however, I didn't give them a chance to sort out the issue.. As soon as I contacted support they went 'above and beyond'..Thank you Lilygo...

Lilygo T-Display-S3 AMOLED / T-Display-S4-Amoled

As the In-House Engineer for <a href="https://peakfilm.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">peakfilm</a> I have been working on several projects.. A complete Bluetooth control system for Blackmagic cinema camera systems and a high resolution focus iris zoom position monitor device with a high resolution Amoled display. Having spent a full year reverse engineering Tilta's wired communication protocol in turn building my own proprietary codebase (no SDK release document signed), I have designed a complete focus, aperture, zoom and aux control monitoring solution.. CAD design is finished and away for production run. As always, Blackmagic Design openly publish their camera control protocol so the design of this module was way less challenging. I have designed a Side-Car retrofit for the Nucleus M FIZ hand unit utilising the pfGlass proprietary protocol. Independently fulfilled the Nucleus Nano ii 'update' that Tilta (to date) has not delivered. Rather like the Bluetooth update for the Nano 1. I have already reverse engineered the serial protocol however, Just like Tilta's industry standard modified serial protocol the Zigbee modified RF protocol is also a bit of a challenge.I expect the challenge to be met within the next couple of weeks after all, there a limited amount of ways you can programme an 'off the shelf' TI chip... Update:One Month later I have managed to decode Tilta's RF system by capturing packets transmitted freely over the air and built a receiver system to interface with my own proprietary codebase pfGlass system.. I have finished the design of my receiver module to interface with the main pfGlass Board to enable full monitoring of Tilta's RF implementation.The board is built around a good old UK ARM Cortex device with a US Texas Instruments RF device and is expected to meet or exceed Tilta's performance.... Added firmware uptates via wifi. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1765758460589-500252903.png">

pf Glass

Take it EasyAnalog Multitrack Tape Recovered from Dumpster outside Olympic Studios, London transferred to 16bit stems. Eagles is the debut studio album by American <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rock</a> band the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagles_(band)" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eagles</a>. The album was recorded at London's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Studios" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Olympic Studios</a> with producer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyn_Johns" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Glyn Johns</a> and released on June 1, 1972, by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asylum_Records" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Asylum Records</a>. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1765287444045-10472060.m4v"></iframe>

Eagles

Micro processor re-ball..I managed to blow up my own micro processor! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1763721961876-56133063.jpeg">

Micro processor re-ball

I got a little delayed finishing off two mega embedded firmware projects (two years and still counting). The project is now in beta so I should get more spare time soon…Not so fast Waldo.. I just spent two days tracking down a dangling pointer to stack memory bug. 'C' + stupidity = arghh!I have been developing my blog alongside this project in my spare time. What a nightmare provisioning the blog for Apple's HEIC image codec! Just aquired more server space in a London Data Centre... Updated Video Uploads to use a chunked file system for larger and hopefuly more reliable video file handling.. Video files now have backend processing to aid slower connections and virtually instant skipping.. Now using all available server cores for video streaming.... Had to build a Next.js mirror site just to get the blog ranking on the search engines! Designed and built a 24 channel stem (multitrack) mixer page. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1763745174153-27227031.jpeg">

Blog Updates...

Working on some Irish cover tunes with Brendan Comer.. Featuring Jamie Knowles, Rosie Gange and myself.. An early 'rough mix' of the song 'Victor Jara' is available on the Audio Player page.. .<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1757420790808-307569922.jpg">Jamie Knowles tracking a fiddle part in 'Studio 2' (Ferny's Bedroom!) Mic's: Dpa 4060 miniature Electret Condenser mic with Phantom power adapter, suspension mount. Rode NT2A overhead.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1757420751667-425675147.jpg">Brendan Comer

Brendan Comer

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755857694135-957274605.jpeg">Don't look at me for the original install pipework! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755857740924-328606514.jpeg">The dreaded diverter again.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755857722090-134094045.jpeg">Honeywell PCB serviced (not replaced) several times.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755857760138-909894988.jpeg">

Boiler Service

By far my most favourite band to play with live..Sadly, eventually manipulated by people with over inflated senses of self importance, the band transmuted into something else!

I had 5 great years in the Curragh Sons. We played the West Coast of Ireland Anually and a few impromptu sessions on our way accross the Emerald Isle. Kinvara County Galway being our regular spot. Drumtochty Castle, Auchenblae, Scotland is one experience that particularly stands out to me.Playing alongside Sean 'Woody' Wood and Gordon Trunkfield was a joy and equally with the many other musos Woody and I enlisted along the way during that time..I raise my glass to you Woody!..(Cover photo: March 2007 - l / r: Pirastro Goldflex Rosin, Mike Walters, Sean Wood, Gordon Trunkfield, Paul Walster) <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1770263374093-367512894.mp4"></iframe> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1770679786527-869709421.png"> Head down, keep the time, -one bar! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1765753702815-611357111.jpeg"> Drumtochty Castle

The Curragh Sons

The Trend 2018

..<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755691013561-249597225.png"> .. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755691101700-359534519.png">..

Vehicle addressable LED strip and controller project

Two Years on one C based project

Making a replacement nut I cut from bleached bone.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755690248610-820405731.jpg"> Cleaning out the slot.. (I will get the lemon oil and tooth brush out to get rid of the silver polish residue eventually!) <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755690330877-797403048.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755690396607-171131507.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755689956683-51855507.jpg">

Replacement Nut Acoustic Bass

After approximately 3 months of ownership whilst on the road in Ireland with my Yamaha SB 200 upright bass, the 'plastic' tailgut saddle shattered! Here is my upgraded version cut from a solid block of seasoned maccassar ebony I tracked down in a wood shed in Derbyshire.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904589932-37312648.jpg">f <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904604239-202411194.jpg"> Ebony dust is a carcinogen beware! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904630542-32540383.jpg">f <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904716603-10576313.jpg">f <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904752075-49295473.jpg">f <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904798020-342980481.jpg">f <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904837578-963372775.jpg"> f <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753904872630-238473109.jpg">

Replacement Tailgut Saddle Yamaha SB200 Bass

Baby Taylor nut cut from a solid block of unbleached bone. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755691959969-478444341.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692011744-236933238.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692124451-964741132.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692205360-159630450.jpg">

Baby Taylor Bone Nut

I really thought I'd had my hat well and truly 'nailed on' with this one! I paid well over the odds for fiddle player Paul Newland's worn out Amati copy. Certainly no mates rates here, though definitely none expected! However, all my hard work paid off as this violin has just been valued at four times the price I paid for it.. Restoring Paul Newland's 'worn out' Amati copy violin was no easy task though.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753901873197-395877880.jpg"> The new nut cut from a vintage ebony piano key, starting to take shape. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753902104906-129416123.jpg"> Removing a millimeter or so from the fingerboard to remove the grooves and to add the correct amount of relief. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753902171099-114396063.jpg"> Unlike many restorers, I like to fit the bridge by turning a piece of emery paper upside down and sanding the bridge in place. Then maybe finish off with chalk etc. Photos of removing the top to repair the cracks to follow.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753902257710-202824944.jpg"> Done.

German made Amati  Copy Violin Restoration

I've already re-profiled and oiled the neck, made a replacement bone bridge saddle and fitted an under-saddle piezo pickup system.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692536759-238012253.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692587069-702149490.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692632735-77087195.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755693002252-313103288.jpg">hhh<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1755692753135-95019979.jpg">hhh

Baby Taylor Fret Level

Here is a bone bridge saddle I cut for Glossop fiddle player Jamie Knowles. He ownes a lovely hand built acoustic guitar. After checking it over for intonation problems. I found the bridge had been set very slightly too far forward. Resulting in an unobtainable intonation. My solution was to cut a compensating bridge saddle from a piece of bleached bone. It needed to be&nbsp;oversized so that I could build in the correct amount of compensation.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753899043190-236132669.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753899060163-680906315.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753899082441-629179741.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753899115241-828916399.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753899306255-892466023.jpg">

Compensating Guitar Bridge Saddle

These prototype housings were made from pvc conduit piping. Phantom powered, low noise and virtually flat response from 20 - 20000 hz <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753898322394-97281567.jpg">

DIY Measurement Microphones

I have just ordered three DPA 4061 miniature microphones mainly to use for close mic'd acoustic instruments. Unfortunately they are fitted with Microdot and Lemo plugs. Useless for use on my recording rig. DPA make a Phantom Power adapter (DAD6001) for a mere £100 (Ouch!) to power the 406X series mics. From what I can ascertain the adapter uses a fairly simple passive circuit arrangement which reduces the 48 volts Phantom Power to the correct level for DPA capsule and also matches the impedance to a fairly standard low impedance. I will build 3 similar adapters using Neutrik NC3MXX 3 Pin Male XLR which will house the components inside. At a cost of around £6 each...Update: I built four of these converters and they work fine however, I decided to buy a DPA DAD6001. The circuit must have been updated as it is now an active design, and there are quite a few components mounted on the pcb.

DPA DAD6001

Many Years ago I designed and built a 10 channel microphone preamp (Details here). It was a great success and was used extensively in my studio (Cowbrook Mill) for years. Although it still works fine, I decided it was time to replace it. Over the last couple of months I have been roughing out a new design based around That Corporation's 1512 microphone preamp and 1646 balanced line driver ICs. And if I get the board layout right, the specification of this pre should put it in the 'Hi End' category. The cost of the components should be around £150 and once completed should quite easily compete with the likes of Focusrite / Mackie / RME. In fact, the RME Fireface 800 uses the That 1510 which is different only in it's gain structure from the 1512. I already have a 1u rack enclosure salvaged from a poorly designed (Under rated PSU) and now defunct ART reverb unit. So this will house the electronics. I have already designed, built and tested the VU meter boards. The gain controls and phantom power switches are also incorporated into these <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753895865185-821677067.jpg">My design in CAD ready for printing onto Inkjet film <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753895913759-385853599.jpg">Etched VU Meter Boards. Due to my A4 size restriction I designed the board in two halves.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896037555-653628628.jpg">Trimmer resistors used for calibrating the meters <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896055516-767063940.jpg">Completed boards <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896093964-632571418.jpg">Testing <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896160734-963592665.jpg">Front Panel drill guide template <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896177308-179575694.jpg">Drilling the front panel <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896200687-228413571.jpg">VU meter board fitted <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896228009-183779207.jpg">Wiring <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753896451873-802804482.jpg">All Done..

DIY 8 Channel Microphone Preamp

low noise dual rail power supply with 48 volts phantom power I designed and built.It has variable + - 3 to 37 volt rails, and a voltage trebler to generate 48 volt phantom power. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753894542257-40829783.jpg">

DIY Dual Rail Audio Grade Power Supply

It was used by several fine fiddle players in the Curragh Sons <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753894093451-879654480.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753894082693-287491535.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753894015539-291231881.jpg">

DIY onboard violin preamp

Here is a 10 channel pre-amp I built some years ago, when it actually was economically feasible to build your own gear. When I designed and built this, the Yamaha DSP Factory was £699 and the Focusrite Octopre was £900.. If I remember correctly, the cost for parts was around £200. It could have been much less, but I had no choice but to use RS and Maplin for components! It has a discrete 'front end' with two differential compound transistor pairs (4 transistors per channel ), arguably still the best way to design an audio pre amp, and still used in the design of most pro audio op amp chips! After etching the two circuit board design I had to manually drill 2000 holes!. And regrettably there was one small error in the board design, hence the grey jumper wires! The preamp still works fine and I recently designed and built this new power supply for it. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753893575644-686453089.jpg"> 10 channel pre amp I built some years ago.. Lower board shown...

Diy 10 Channel Discrete Microphone Preamp

Why have these microphones suddenly started to cost a small fortune? OK they are quite good but up to £400 Each! I bought my collection for less than £400 (my service and repair not included!) and I have six of these miniature mics.. And DPA's new de facto violin mic (4099) is just a 4060 in a tube with some air slots to give it a more directional polar pattern! Tweek 'til your heart's content.. But won't this just colour the sound? Rather like singing through a toilet roll!

DPA 4061 family of miniature microphones

After waiting for well over a month for a couple of racking kits from Sennheiser UK (shame on you!) I have finally finished building my Sennheiser wireless receiver rig. Affectionately&nbsp;known as 'The Porcupine', the rig is housed in the flight case I made earlier in the year. Details of which are available here: DIY Flight Case.. I decided against the usual standard 19" rack case with Sennheiser's ASP 2 passive antenna splitter.. As anyone with any radio electronics knowledge knows, there will be a considerable attenuation trade off with any such device! And to my mind, with the precious little transmitter output power available on the body packs with these systems, this decision was a 'no brainier'! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753885052078-925899752.jpg">h<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753885117463-768094781.jpg">h h h

DIY Sennheiser Wireless Receiver Rig

There are no big secrets about the most popular type of Overdrive / Distortion circuits. As can be seen with the thousands of 'Mods' and home brew copies of the Tube Screamer® as originally designed by Mr. S. Tamura. Basic non inverting clipping circuit: <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753725912918-970663967.jpg"> Mixing the input and output signal of the clipper circuit preserves the original dynamics of the input signal. Add some carefully selected high and low pass filters and that's pretty well it.. Not exactly Rocket Science! My TubeDrive is specifically designed to drive Valve (Tube) amplifier front ends and employs a classic silicon diode clipping circuit and a JRC4558D Op Amp. With full protection circuitry. And as reliability and road worthiness are a standard requirement for all my designs, i am currently working on a stainless steel housing for the unit Here is the PCB: <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753726082541-293887565.jpg"> TUBE SCREAMER® is a registered trademark of Hoshino Gakki Co. Ltd.

DIY TubeDrive Effects Pedal

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753725590157-802798310.gif"> Simple battery powered wired personal monitor built around a Burr Brown OPA2134 op amp.With on / off volume control, line in, headphone out and led power indicator. Includes belt clip.

DIY Personal Monitor

Being horrified at the cost of commercial manufacturers piezo violin pickup systems, I decided to design my own.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753723754172-796448918.jpg">Rough drawing of the pickup: The most difficult part of this project was sourcing the components: Ceramic PZT material, small diameter low capacitance braided cable, copper foil tape with conductive adhesive and conductive epoxy. I managed to order the conductive adhesive and foil tape from Ebay UK. For the piezo ceramic element I decided to go with a cheap Artec undersaddle guitar pickup bought from <a href="http://www.axesrus.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Axes R Us</a> in the UK for a very reasonable £8. I will strip-down the the pickup to remove the six piezo elements (Being careful to note the correct polarisation). I can also make use of the screened cable. Whilst waiting for the parts to arrive I worked out my design for the pickup. I decided on an embedded design although more versatile, under-the-wing and clamp-on designs seem a bit hit and miss regarding a consistent sound. Personally I believe that most piezo pickups sound very similar to each other and ironically, I don't much like the sound of any of them!&nbsp;I quickly realised that the most difficult stage would be making the electrical connections to the PZT ceramic. Having contemplated this over several days I came up with the idea of using copper clad board for the positive electrode. This would need to be very thin 1 mm or so. As fibreglass copper clad board is fabricated in layers, I decided to split the board in half. Then I carefully sanded the board to the correct thickness and shape to accommodate the piezo ceramic remembering to leave a little copper exposed to make a soldered connection. I then used conductive adhesive to fix the tinned side of the piezo ceramic to the copper side of the board. Next I soldered the hot inner wire to the board. I masked off the silvered top of the ceramic and then sprayed on several coats of clear Acrylic lacquer to insulate the hot connections. Following 20 minutes of low baking in the oven I removed the masking tape, then I covered the whole pickup in copper foil, then soldered the screen connection to the foil. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753724753214-406411234.jpg">Artec PG-607 Undersaddle Pickup. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753723989755-496146708.jpg">Finished pickup ready for embedding: <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753724013391-904456023.jpg">The bridge marked out ready for routing..Positioned to pick up mostly in the mode 1 plane. Next on to the fitting. I decided to use one of the Aubert VB3 bridges I purchased from the very helpful '<a href="http://www.theviolinman.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Violin Man</a>' Up in Dundee. I marked out the routing pattern then carefully routed out the chanel using a mini drill. Then I mixed up some epoxy and applied some to the channel and inserted the pickup until the epoxy oozed out ensuring a good fit. I then applied a bit more to seal the pickup in. I gave it 24 hours to cure then fitted the bridge. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753724049532-906563618.jpg">Routed ready for the pickup. (Rough edges will actually help adhesion) I made a Carpenter style jack mount from some part seasoned macassar ebony I had left over from a tail piece I made for a Yamaha SB 200 electric upright bass. As the one fitted is made of plastic! The jack socket I used was a barrel type used on electric guitars ETC. The adjustable fittings were from a standard chin rest. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753724072568-154151823.jpg">My carpenter style jack mount hand made from macassar ebony <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753724167585-472058740.jpg">The completed pickup. Good string balance, good output and great sound(If you like the sound of piezo's!) Making these pickups is quite time consuming however, If anyone would like one, I am prepared to make them without a Carpenter Jack. I will try to source some of these or maybe come up with a simple design. As should always be the case with Piezo pickups you really do require a high impedance preamp to get optimal sound. The Behringer DI boxes work quite well but are not ideal..

DIY Piezo Violin Pickup

This is my 'DSP' acoustic instrument mic. Designed primarily for violin, however the mic could be used with many instruments. The microphone has a Panasonic electret element with a nearly flat frequency response from 20hz to 20khz. When mounted with my custom suspension mount the mic is out of the way of the performer. The mic can be configured to work with the MicroDI, Headway EDB-1 or LR Baggs Para DI etc <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753722633848-86759942.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753722686204-285338641.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753722800884-553123854.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753722842423-987778287.jpg">

DIY violin - Instrument Microphone

30 ins and outs, digitally controlled high-end preamps, reference class converters and full 192 kHz operation. Real time EQ, compression, digital reverb effects and standalone operation. All wth typical RME build quality. You have to read the specs of this RME Firewire / USB audio interface to believe it, they're simply staggering! The unit will be a great addition to our mobile rig. More info about the interface here: http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_ufx.php Update: The UFX firmware has just been updated to support Class Compliant Mode. This means that the UFX is now compatible with Apple's iPad. And able to provide 22 audio inputs and outputs! And not only that but the 'wise ol owls' at RME are now developing a version of Totalmix for IPad. Just as predicted by myself on the RME forum quite some time ago! As a customer of RME since well before any UK distribution was in place, I would like to thank Matthias Carstens and RME for your valued support, and a special shout out to Martin Warr at Synthax Audio UK for stepping in to protect the RME brand so vigorously! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753718289403-29062291.jpg">

RME Fireface UFX

Filmed around 1979 at Glossop Carnival Manor Park. As you can no doubt tell, the batteries were going flat!&nbsp;I will attempt to clean up the film when I get some spare time.&nbsp;The song 'Teenage Crush' is still copyright© 1979 'Revell / Scott' Trendy Records of course.. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753714378931-143034254.mp4"></iframe>

The Trend '79 Super 8 cine film

I joined Irish band 'Whiskey in the Jar' back in March 2012 playing my trusty Yamaha SLB200 upright bass (affectionately known as 'The Swordfish'!). I enjoy every minute playing with these guys. This must be the first band I have played in where ego counts for nothing! The band play mostly around Northwest England however, bookings in Ireland, Scotland, Yorkshire and London are not uncommon for the band: www.witj.co.uk <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753711910045-679287512.JPEG"><h6 class="ql-align-center">left to right: Jamie Knowles - Wal Walster - <a href="https://paul.walster.co.uk/post/bands/brendan-comer-singer-caller-gentleman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brendan Comer</a> - Phil Taylor</h6><h6> </h6> I have really enjoyed the last 12 months playing bass with Irish band 'Whiskey in the Jar'. We played lots of great gigs and I got on particularly well with founding member Phil Taylor.Most memorable for me was the Rainbow Festival on the Isle of Bute in Scotland where I got to take my Wife and 2 year old girl... I would like to personally thank all the members for some great times particularly, top fiddle player Jamie Knowles for putting my name forward for the position in the first place. Looking at the band's website today, it looks like I wasn't in the band quite long enough to qualify for a mention on the history page anyhoo, do checkout the website: <a href="https://www.witj.co.uk" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">witj.co.uk</a>

Whiskey in the Jar

Violin:Maggini / Amati Copys fitted with Walster / Baracus Berry embedded piezo bridge pickups / shock mounted DPA 4060 / 4061 miniature micsWalster MicroDI / Headway EDB-1 acoustic preamp (Separate piezo / mic mix to desk)Sennheiser personal monitor system Bass:Yamaha SB200 electric upright bass'99 US Lakland 4 94 Deluxe electric bassUS Lakland 55 94 electric bassWalster custom built rack with Hartkie HA 350 amp / Behringer rack tuner / Sennheiser IEM TransmitterHartke HA1200 Kickback comboSennheiser personal monitor receiver Electric Guitar:80's Ibanez highly customised electricWalster ValveDrive overdrive pedalVox Night Train all valve ampWharmby custom 1 x 12 cab (Vintage Celestion fitted)Sennheiser personal monitor system Acoustic Guitar:Customised Taylor GS Mini Acoustic (Walster electronics)Customised 'Baby Taylor' Acoustic (Walster electronics)StrumIt Fet Cable / MicroDIHeadway EDB-1 acoustic preampSennheiser personal monitor system

Wal's Live Gear Setup

Repaired my bands (Whiskey in the Jar) stage monitor.. The original fault was a blown audio amplifier IC. However, after an electrician cut all the connectors off to use the monitor passively, I had to completely rewire the whole thing.. Without a schematic! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753707946466-168918497.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753707611585-641069328.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753707536534-990290383.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753707520294-136057918.jpg">

Stage Monitor Repair

Someone accidentally poured a glass of wine over a friend's lovely Mackbook 3,1. After I recovered the files from the hard drive, the laptop was taken to a local computer shop, declared unrepairable and 'written off'.. He then kindly gave it to me.. My friend now has a brand new Macbook Pro, and my wife has a lovely Macbook! I name this Mac 'The Phoenix'!.

Macbook The Phoenix

N-Tune by Zero Crossing Inc, integrates accurate, chromatic tuning into the volume knob of your electric guitar or bass'. Hmm what about a violin? I'm thinking.. Zero Crossing Inc promised to send my friend George Wharmby (Guitarist / Writer The Systematics) a replacement pot for this tuner, but never came good! So he just wanted me to remove the thing and put the Telecaster back to standard wiring. Well, standardish! It has a Bare Knuckle Humbucker fitted in the neck position, wired with a coil Tap switch. After uninstalling the faulty tuner from the Telecaster My pal kindly said I could keep it. I'm going to try to fit this tuner (Assuming that I can repair the thing first!) into my custom electric violin. The tuner is chromatic and according to the spec, will tune an instrument from 27Hz to 520Hz (notes A0–A7) so I don't see why it shouldn't work just fine. The only real issue is that my fiddle has a home design Piezo preamp and I would suspect that this little tuner might well be quite noisy electronically however, I will make the mod true bypass so there should be no problems.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753706273403-210408802.jpg">Prising the pot apart <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753706362186-985467623.jpg">Fitting the new wafer <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753706425500-682606554.jpg">All done!

N-Tune On-Board chromatic guitar tuner mod

My pal Charlie Vincent's Mackie Onyx Satellite Firewire Interface base unit broke about a Year ago. So I swapped my working unit for it as I don't use mine very much. I decided to have a go at a repair the other day as I had some spare time.. It turned out to be the Power Switch Lol! And I just happened to have a replacement in stock. Ye haw...

Mackie Onyx Satellite Repair

I simply followed the schematic update that Mackie released.. It does seem rather puzzling that Mackie engineers would set the Phantom Power DC / DC converter clock rate at 6Khz on an audio interface? Perhaps they were aiming for the more mature user! Lol.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753704886136-755886163.jpg"> <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753704929675-118924898.jpg">

Mackie Onyx Satellite Clocking Noise Fix

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753703826269-805061516.jpg"> After loaning out my Dynacord powered mixer to a friend he in turn loaned it to a fellow sound engineer (I use the term loosely!) Who managed to blow it up on a local UK Council paid job (Glossop Remembrance Sunday)! The story even made a local UK Councillor's Blog. The audience were as disappointed as myself I suspect! And being the kind guy that I am.. I'm only charging for the destroyed parts, including 20 power transistors! I suspect that most engineers would have written the unit of.. Update: Not only has the clown who used my mixer-amp without my permission and then broke it, not yet apologised to me. But I believe he has actually complained at the cost of the parts for the free repair! The cheek of it! I already explained about complementary transistors and the need to use a matching set. I may just send him a bill for labour: So far 6 hours at let's say £60 per hour = £360 All done!1 x service manual £2016 power transistors, silicon diode, 3 x resistors, solder and heat transfer paste £130.Labour: 1 hour strip down time, 3 hours troubleshooting schematic, 2 hours fitting new parts,2 hours following manufacturers service procedure and 1 hour rebuild = 9 hours @ £40 per hour £360.Total £510. Be very grateful Coco! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753703053960-827429437.jpg">A rather frazzled power amp section! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753703379259-339295862.jpg">Transistors RemovedRemoving Through-Hole components from a double sided circuit board takes time and care. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753703562501-376087159.jpg">New power transistors fittedBefore soldering the transistors in I cleaned up the heat sinks with isopropol alcohol and then applied heat transfer compound to the bottom of each transistor.

Destroyed by Coco the Clown!

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753702193381-47440388.jpg">Label on rear of EW100 G2 receiver: Note the incorrect spelling of ASSEMBLED = ASSEMBlED!

Counterfeit Sennheiser Wireless System

These cables cost from around £26 to buy in the UK.. This one cost a little over £14 to make myself.. And apart from the Sennheiser type locking jack, which are available from that popular online auction site (£3)! Most&nbsp;of the parts came from the rather excellent <a href="http://www.audiospares.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audiospares</a>. Not to be confused with the well respected but also 'well expensive' Studiospares! <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753699591949-113302742.JPG">Sennheiser G2 belt pack transmitter pin out <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753701197592-44665960.jpg">Neutrik angled Silent Jack, Sennheiser (type) locking 3.5mm stereo Jack Plug, Lynx 6mm instrument cable and heat shrink tubing.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753701447090-447718915.JPG">I use a DI box to secure the jack plug whilst soldering the connections.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753701556666-730758472.JPG">Often overlooked with Neutrik connectors.. You must remove (snip off!) the spacer to accommodate thicker cable (6mm in this case) <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753701696267-221622856.JPG">Like so.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753701780587-632958485.jpg">Neutrik angled Silent Jack.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753701882225-354975196.JPG">All done! <table><tbody><tr><td data-row="1"> </td></tr></tbody></table>

Sennheiser G1, 2, 3 wireless systems

<img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753696005705-811529801.jpg"> Fully Balanced transformerless Preamp-DI.Phantom powered, can be plugged directly into mixer etc or via standard mic cable.470k instrument input impedance (up to 10 meg with Strumit Fet Cable) Pin 2 Hot, Pin 3 Power for powering my Fet Cables and Miniature Boom Mic. The MicroDI can also be used to power the popular DPA 4060 / 4061 and other miniature microphones.. No 'Bells and Whistles' here, but what more do you need than a matched instrument and an led to indicate that the unit is powered. And this little fella is only 9cm long. Warning.. This preamp has a very wide frequency response. Do use the appropriate High Pass EQ if used as an instrument DI.. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753696555153-923937857.png"> Hi Z CombinationMicroDI + jack shell mounted fet preamp lead10 meg ohm impedanceSuitable for most passive piezo pickupsNeutrik Silent Jack, Neutrik XLR connector,Low capacitance, OFC free cable. <img src="https://api.walster.co.uk/uploads/file-1753696807959-618725034.png"> Miniature Boom-Mic CombinationMicroDI + high quality back-electret condenser microphone20Hz - 20 Khz frequency responseFitted to a Neutrik jack plugNeutrik XLR, Low capacitance OFC free cableDesigned for mounting on a Carpenter style Jack Mount