--- title: How to Build a Digitally-Controlled Audio Preamplifier with Red Pitaya description: Discover how engineering student Dima Korschunov built a modular DIY audio preamp with Red Pitaya, featuring digitally controlled crossover filters. image: https://content.redpitaya.com/hubfs/blog%20featured%20image%20(53).jpg --- [![Red Pitaya](https://content.redpitaya.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Red_Pitaya_November_2021/images/redpitaya-logo-des.svg "Red Pitaya")](https://redpitaya.com/) [![Red Pitaya](https://content.redpitaya.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Red_Pitaya_November_2021/images/redpitaya-logo.svg "Red Pitaya")](https://redpitaya.com/) - Products - [STEMlab 125-14 Gen 2](https://redpitaya.com/stemlab-125-14-gen2/) - [STEMlab 125-14](https://redpitaya.com/stemlab-125-14/) - [SIGNALlab 250-12](https://redpitaya.com/signallab-250-12/) - [SDRlab 122-16](https://redpitaya.com/sdrlab-122-16/) - [STEMlab TI (Texas Instruments)](https://redpitaya.com/stemlab-ti-texas-instruments/) - [Multi-channel Solutions](https://redpitaya.com/multi-channel-solutions/) - [Accessories](https://redpitaya.com/accessories/) - [Applications](https://redpitaya.com/applications/) - Documentation - [Technical Documentation](https://redpitaya.com/documentation/) - [Teaching materials](https://redpitaya.com/teaching-materials/) - [Student projects](https://redpitaya.com/student-projects/) - [User forum](https://forum.redpitaya.com/) - [About](https://redpitaya.com/about-us/) - [History](https://redpitaya.com/history/) - [Distributors](https://redpitaya.com/distibutors-red-pitaya/) - [Blog](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog) [Shop](https://redpitaya.com/shop/) - [ACADEMIA](https://redpitaya.com/academia/) - [RADIO AMATEURS](https://redpitaya.com/radio-amateurs/) - [Home](https://redpitaya.com/) - Products - [STEMlab 125-10](https://redpitaya.com/stemlab-125-10/) - [STEMlab 125-14](https://redpitaya.com/stemlab-125-14/) - [SIGNALlab 250-12](https://redpitaya.com/signallab-250-12/) - [SDRlab 122-16](https://redpitaya.com/sdrlab-122-16/) - [Accessories](https://redpitaya.com/accessories/) - [Applications](https://redpitaya.com/applications/) - [Resources](https://redpitaya.com/documentation/) - [Shop](https://redpitaya.com/shop/) - [About](https://redpitaya.com/about-us/) - [Blog](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog) - [Compare](https://redpitaya.com/compare/) - [Login / Register](https://redpitaya.com/my-account/) ### Red Pitaya Blog [Home](https://redpitaya.com) » [Case study](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog/tag/case-study) » [Case study](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog/tag/case-study) # How to Build a Digitally-Controlled Audio Preamplifier with Red Pitaya - Posted by ![Red Pitaya Technical Editorial Team](https://content.redpitaya.com/hubfs/Red-pitaya-fav-ikona.png) [Red Pitaya Technical Editorial Team](https://redpitaya.com/Red-Pitaya-Blog-team/) , October 7, 2025 ![](https://content.redpitaya.com/hubfs/blog%20featured%20image%20(53).jpg) ## Introduction: From Thesis to DIY Audio Engineering  Meet Dima Korschunov, an electrical engineering student who transformed a long-held vision into reality during his bachelor's thesis at HTWK Leipzig. His project? A sophisticated analog audio preamplifier featuring digitally-controlled crossover filters, specifically designed for reggae sound systems - where precision audio control is paramount.  The journey began five years ago when Dima first envisioned building this preamplifier. After years of research and gathering information, he brought the concept to life over two intensive semesters of development and construction.  What makes this project exceptional is how Red Pitaya STEMlab 125-14 became the Swiss Army knife of his development process, replacing multiple expensive lab instruments while enabling precise measurements and validation at every stage.  ![](https://content.redpitaya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-08-55-0544-PM.png?width=445&height=593&name=image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-08-55-0544-PM.png)![image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-08-55-0544-PM](https://content.redpitaya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-08-55-0544-PM.png?width=445&height=593&name=image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-08-55-0544-PM.png) ### Project Goals: Building a DIY Digital Audio Preamplifier  - **Objective:** Design an active audio preamp with digitally adjustable crossover filters (Linkwitz-Riley style) in real time.  - **Complexity**: Bridging analog circuit design, digital control, PCB layout, firmware, and desktop software.  - **Key challenge**: Ensure seamless integration of all subsystems while preserving high audio fidelity.  ### Why Use Red Pitaya for Audio Projects?  Traditional instrumentation (spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, Bode analyzers) is expensive and disconnected. Red Pitaya gives Dima a unified platform for:  - Bode (amplitude/phase) measurements  - Oscilloscope traces  - Logic / digital signal debugging  - Spectrum and THD analysis  - Seamless data export for MATLAB and LaTeX  Dima: “With Red Pitaya, I could measure filter transmission, export to MATLAB, and integrate plots directly into my thesis.”  ## System Architecture: Modular PCB Design and Audio Filters  Instead of one large PCB, the preamp was split into four functional modules for easier testing and upgrades.  **Key modules:**  - Analog front end and filters - Digital potentiometer interface - Arduino Nano microcontroller for real-time control - Desktop UI for end-user interaction - Measurement and test points for Red Pitaya  ![Screenshot 2025-09-30 160437](https://content.redpitaya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-09-30%20160437.png?width=563&height=910&name=Screenshot%202025-09-30%20160437.png) ## Implementation: Simulation, Debugging, and Validation  - **Filter Characterization**: Bode Analyzer to measure amplitude and phase across audio frequencies.  - **Digital Interface Debugging**: Logic Analyzer caught subtle serial communication errors.  - **System-Level Testing**: Spectrum and THD analysis ensured clean, professional-grade audio performance.   ![](https://content.redpitaya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-07-21-4229-PM.png?width=379&height=506&name=image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-07-21-4229-PM.png)![image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-07-21-4229-PM](https://content.redpitaya.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-07-21-4229-PM.png?width=379&height=506&name=image-png-Sep-30-2025-02-07-21-4229-PM.png) ### Results: A Professional-Grade DIY Audio Preamplifier  - Achieved a **professional-grade**, modular audio preamp with real-time filter control  - Integrated measurement-driven design: every design decision was validated  - Created a desktop UI (C#) to make filter adjustment accessible to end users  - Demonstrated how a student project can reach high engineering standards  ### Student Learnings and Future Development  - **Grounding & layout**: Noise and crosstalk were nontrivial; better ground topology needed  - **Toolchain choices**: Moving from Altium to KiCad promised broader accessibility  - **Next steps**: Add **automatic tuning** via feedback (microphone + control theory) for adaptive adaptation in acoustics  ### Educational Impact: Why This Project Matters  This project proves that with the right tools, students can build **professional-quality audio electronics** without prohibitive lab costs. Platforms like Red Pitaya make it possible to design, measure, and validate projects end to end — bridging the gap between academia and industry.  ### Getting Started & Resources  1. Begin with a clear set of signal specs and a measurement plan.  1. Modularize early — test subsystems separately.  1. Use Red Pitaya’s multi-modal capabilities (Bode, logic, oscilloscope) continuously throughout development.  1. Export early, document often — seamless export from Red Pitaya to MATLAB and thesis is a major advantage.    ## Repository & References  Dive into the full design, code, and documentation of the DiKo PreAmp on GitHub: [https://github.com/dkorschu/DiKo\_PreAmp](https://github.com/dkorschu/DiKo_PreAmp)  This repository offers a comprehensive look at a student-led project that bridges analog audio engineering with digital control systems. Inside, you’ll find:  - **Modular PCB Designs**: Schematics and layouts for each functional block.  - **Firmware Code**: Arduino sketches for controlling digital potentiometers and filter parameters.  - **Desktop Interface**: C# application for real-time user interaction.  - **Measurement Data**: Exported results from Red Pitaya analyses, ready for further exploration.  - **Documentation**: Detailed explanations and insights into the design and testing processes.  Whether you’re interested in audio electronics, embedded systems, or measurement techniques, this project serves as a valuable resource. Feel free to explore, fork, or contribute to enhance and expand upon this work.     ### About the Red Pitaya Team The Red Pitaya Technical Editorial Team is a cross-functional group of technical communicators and product specialists. By synthesizing insights from our hardware developers and global research partners, we provide verified, high-value content that bridges the gap between open-source innovation and industrial-grade precision. 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