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."
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
Built two with the Royal Blue. Easy build, great support from Peterson. It's awesome to get something clean and exciting or more Neve-ish fat on demand. Really liking the transients i'm getting on drums and bass. Work well on anything to be honest. Only downside is you need a booster for sm7b and Ribbons. It's become one of my favorite preamps, and I've recorded with a whole bunch over the years... Would be curious to make a record with just a console of this preamp.
I have wanted to build a CP5 for years and it did not disappoint. The instructions are best-in-class and the results, especially for voice over, are really great. What a great clean, but not sterile, sound and with the Op Amp Colour board inside, I can get a range of tones from the CP5 that I can't get from my other preamps. The whole build took about an hour and a half and I captured it all for a YouTube video in case that can be helpful for someone else either considering purchasing or building their own CP5. I am a huge fan of DIYRE and Peterson really knocked it out of the park with this one.
CP5 Colour Mic Preamp
Excellent customer service, product and quality. Easy to follow build guide. I built this for my son, the end user. He tells me its great!
The CP5 on its own without a module is a must-have piece of gear. So much clean gain before even hitting the converters, you really can’t beat that for the price. I put the Royal Blue Colour module in mine and it’s a game changer!
