‘DB-70’ Gates Inspired DIY Preamp
The ‘DB-70’ is our version of the Gates SA‑70 preamp. The DB-70 is a classic tube-based microphone preamplifier from the mid-20th century, valued for its rich tonal character, transformer-coupled signal path, and flexible tone-shaping capabilities. These will be available for sale soon as partially assembled kits or just PCBs . Historical Context & Lineage Schematic: Layout:…
Gates SA-70 Part 3 – Enclosure
Hi allI’m back with the final installment on how our Gates SA-70 preamps are crafted. Today, we’ll focus on the enclosure, layout, and metalwork. We’re moving a bit in reverse, as this is usually the first step in building a preamp. Lets start with parts we are going to need for a single channel preamp…
Gates SA-70 Part 2
Hello, everyone! I’m back today with part two. First, I’d like to thank you all for the positive feedback. If you have any questions about these articles or building your own Gates SA-70, please leave a comment or reach out via email or Instagram. Lets tackle the additional features of our builds. One thing to…
Downbeat Studio & Design 