DIYRE

CP5 Colour Mic Preamp

$150.00

The CP5 is the first microphone preamp to feature Colour. On its own, the CP5 is a reference-quality, 500-series mic preamp with copious amounts of clean gain. With Colour, the CP5 is the most tonally versatile preamp in the world.

World Class Preamp. The CP5 is a transparent, low-noise preamp that performs as good or better than preamps 5x the price (seriously, check out the SPECS tab above). The preamp's signal path features only best-in-class components, including WIMA capacitors and THAT Corp. ICs. Preamp gain and Colour are adjustable via stepped controls for easy recall and stereo operation.

Add Some Colour. Plug any Colour module into the CP5 to add some character to your preamp. Dial in the exact amount of Colour you want with the stepped Colour control. Switch between tone and transparency with the Colour bypass switch. The CP5's preamp works with or without a Colour installed.

Beginner Friendly. Like all our kits, the CP5 comes with every part required and step-by-step picture instructions.

Features

  • Fully compatible with the 500-series format
  • Stepped controls (21 positions) for easy recall and stereo operation
  • Anodized black aluminum knobs and front panel
  • Phantom power, polarity, -20dB pad, and Colour switches
  • Mic preamp gain adjustable from +20-66dB
  • Ultra-transparent, low-noise preamp
    • No electrolytic capacitors or transformers in the signal path
    • WIMA film coupling capacitors
    • Based on the best-in-class THAT Corp. 1512 preamplifier IC
    • Electronically balanced inputs and outputs
  • Single Colour socket
  • Colour control adjusts amount of Colour without changing overall gain
  • Kit includes every component required to build the CP5
  • Step-by-step manual and guaranteed support 

The CP5 circuit and PCB layout were designed by Peter and Robert-Eric Gaskell of GKL Audio.

What the Pros are Saying

"Undoubtedly the most flexible and variable mic pre out there. And if you know how to solder it’s at an unparalleled price point for its quality. Pro tip... it pairs extraordinarily well with DIYRE passive summing mixers for even more tonal flexibility on your mix bus or group buses."

-Jack Mason
J.Cole, Joe P, Spotify Singles

"This really is one of the most versatile and useful preamps on the market. If you like getting your hands on a soldering iron, it can be one of the most satisfying to own as well."

-Sonic Scoop

Dialing in drum sounds with the CP5 and Colours:


CP5 ($150) ($745)
Input Impedance 3.6k/7.2k (pad out / pad in)
Gain 20-66dB, unity gain with pad engaged
Pad Attenuation 20dB
THD+N @ 20dB gain* 0.00040% <0.00085%
THD+N @ 40dB gain* 0.0007% <0.0010%
THD+N @ 60dB gain* 0.005% <0.005%
Noise (EIN), 66dB gain, 150Ω source -128dB -128dB
CMRR @ 10kHz, 60dB gain 80dB 65dB

*+20dBu output, 1kHz, 20-20kHz bandwidth

Customer Reviews

Based on 47 reviews
96%
(45)
4%
(2)
0%
(0)
0%
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0%
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c
chris
Severely Underated

Bought a pair of these as a fun DIY project. Didn't really expect them to sound as good as they do, and the colour modules are nuts.

I ended up with a 15fps, and fuzz pedal, and both have their own distinct flavors.

These preamps went from being additional utlity preamps, to being my top choices for a bunch of sources.

Will be buying more and more of them.

J
Jasper
Simple and Effective

I have now come to build quite a few DIY preamps, this is by far the easiest build, well laid out, designed and thought through. If you would like to start your DIY projects, CP5 is the perfect module to start with. Enjoy every bit of this module, really impressed !! ..

R
Roberto

Great, I which it had a trim pot but amazing price and great sound!

S
S.
awesome

love it & the whole process is rewarding. sounds great.

S
Shardz
great idea and great sound

This was the first of 6 units I have built. It was quick and easy for me as I have been melting solder since Mr Gash's electronics class in high school decades ago, where we also learned about politics, women and why the world is unfair. Compared to my Camden 500 and Fredenstien HD, it's a bit more husky, less transparent and seemingly hyped transients and dynamic response which seems needed to drive the color modules as what could be heard as aggressive is as gone as a wild goose in winter when a module is installed. The Camden sounds more refined but with a color module installed things really get going in the mojo department. the TM 79 makes goo and sizzle, 15 ips mellows and fattens, the Jft crunch and edge and the doa sounds old and solid. The menu for tone shaping is very rich and encouraging to me.

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