*Soundgas Type 636P-500 Preamp

Soundgas Type 636P-500 Series Preamp.

The Soundgas Type 636 preamp in 500 series format. Exactly the same circuit as the guitar pedal when using the front panel in/out jacks. Plus transformer balanced output and phantom power options as found in the Type 636P2.

"A preamp like no other..."

We've taken our 636P2 transformer balanced germanium mic preamp and brought it to the 500 series format. You can use a 636P-500 as a Type 636P guitar pedal, using the front panel input and output sockets - the circuit is identical.

The main differences between this and the Type 636P2 Twin Channel Rack are firstly that the big red Carnhill transformers would not fit in the 500 - but the ones used are sonically very close - and secondly there is a wider variation in response between different units/channels with the 500 series.

A pair of 636-500s requires us to match two units much more closely, hence the greater cost. If you buy two single 636P-500s, you can use them together but will need to level match by ear/meter compared to a pair that built and calibrated to work together. The vintage components used in this circuit vary in response/behaviour so each unit will sound and react differently. To get a closer match (as we do in the Type 636P2) is a time consuming process. 

Wonder what extra channels of glorious germanium drive and texture sound like? Check out our Instagram video below.

Read Tony's blog Soundgas Type 636 Preamp Series Update: Complete Guide to Design, Build, and Availability here.

The Soundgas Type 636P-500 is the latest incarnation of the Soundgas Type 636, Type 636P2 and Type 636P which both feature our evolution of the legendary germanium preamp circuit.

You can use it exactly like the 636P guitar pedal by using the front panel ins/outs but the 636P-500 also features the transformer balanced output circuit from the 636P2* which massively increases versatility and offers a much wider sonic palette.

*A different output transformer was required as the big red Carnhills from the 636P2 don't fit in a 500 series chassis!

From subtle sweetening and widening of audio signals passing through with very little gain applied through to maximum filth and gnarl via the original unbalanced input/outputs.

We are hand building limited runs to this specification.

How does it sound? At higher gain settings the transformers smooth out some of the wildness of the 636P to deliver a classy - yet still harmonically rich - sound. We have been blown away by how different these sound with the balanced outputs, and by how much we want to use it on everything. And if you want the full original 636P preamp magic, untamed by those beautiful red transformers? Simple - just plug into the 1/4" jack 'break out' socket - this bypasses the transformer circuit and gives you that hairy (out of phase) direct output as found on the 636P.

What is it? Based on the legendary spring reverb - famously used and abused by Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Pete Townshend - and many others since. This circuit builds on the spirit of the original vintage units - no tone sapping surface mount components in the audio path or DSP. Designed and built by our team in our new premises in Derbyshire, England.

This is a labour of love and represents the culmination of our collective experience of - and love for - the 636P preamp circuit. It is not the modern way: the expense of working like this means these particular units are not for everyone, but this does mean we are able to control every aspect of the process and build something of which we are all justifiably very proud. The time and outlay just to source and test NOS transistors that perform to our specification is slightly terrifying: the vast majority of Mullard OC45s available do not meet our strict criteria.

What's inside? The design brief was to take one channel from the Type 636P2 preamp and port it over to the 500 series format. While space meant we had to lose the P2's massive red Carnhill iron, the transformers in the 636P-500's balanced outputs do not disappoint.

There's a 1/4" jack input, input level control pot (gain), original specification mic transformer, overload lamp and input impedance switch (select between guitar/line use, or adjust to taste) plus switchable 48v phantom power for use with condenser mics.

Staying true to the original design, the mic preamp 'break out' output is unbalanced on a ¼ inch jack socket and returns the signal out of phase - plugging into this output will disable the XLR outputs on the rear.

As with our original 636Ps, we have put tonal considerations ahead of all else. I was originally sceptical that we'd see a real benefit in using germanium transistors in the buffer section as our original prototypes had used silicon and sounded great. However Dr Huw insisted that we build an all germanium version for comparison which blew all the earlier versions out of the water; this became the 636P and 636P2 and which has now evolved into the 636P-500.

Condition

Brand new.

Voltage Information

N/A

Tax

For sales in UK the price will include 20% VAT. Buyers elsewhere may incur VAT or other local taxes on import.

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Our returns policy is 14 days, but we will always endeavour to seek a mutually satisfactory solution to any issues that arise. If 14 days have elapsed from receipt of goods, we reserve the right to refuse a refund or exchange,

You must retain the original packing materials and utilise them for any return – if this is not possible, you must return goods using packaging that matches the level of protection we employ: failure to do so may result in us refusing the return.

Goods must be returned in the same condition as supplied to remain eligible for a full refund. Important: in the case of new items, they must also be in the original packaging which, aside from any seals etc, must also be in mint condition (please take care with this); we reserve the right to charge a restocking fee of up to 25% if this is not adhered to.

Read our full returns and refunds information here: https://soundgas.com/pages/returns-refunds