Help with DIY microphone please

[internecine]

so ive done a bit of searching and ive found that for the diy'er the best value is the panasonic mw-61a capsule, correct?

now, what i havent been able to find is a tutorial on how to build a mic using this part.

furthermore, i would need it to be self powered, or build a cheap/simple power supply (i guess thats called phantom power)

i have no problem using a design that uses a 9v battery. The only use i would have for this mic is RTA and MLS measurements with apps such as speakerworks of lsplab.

since i will be trying to keep it on the cheap i would be using somthing like a m-audio transit since i wont need power from somthing like a m-audio mobilepre.

if anyone can point me in the right direction, or if i should be posting in a different fourm, please let me know.

thanks and i hope i dont get too many flames

[Cal Weldon]

Hi, I have moved this over to everything else from loudspeakers.

[cuibono]

hi there,

The panasonics are nice mics. I use them a bit nowadays. Check out linkwitzlab.com,

http://linkwitzlab.com/sys_test.htm#Mic

it is what I have been using. This is pretty easy to breadboard and make a stereo mic. I've done some binaural recordings with them, and they impress everyone. Look into the yahoo mic builders group, they do a lot with this capsul, and diy microphones in general. Also check out http://homerecording.com/bbs/ they do more front end audio stuff.

[internecine]

dont need stereo at this point and dont think i will any time soon.

what about a preamp, is this the same as phantom power?

[error401]

Originally posted by internecine
dont need stereo at this point and dont think i will any time soon.

what about a preamp, is this the same as phantom power?

No, it's not. Phantom power is common in professional equipment and involves applying a 48VDC bias to the balanced lines in an XLR connector (+48V on each signal line, referenced to the ground). Because XLR connectors carry a differential signal, this common-mode voltage has no effect on the signal itself and allows the cable to carry power to the remote device as well without extra conductors. It's traditionally used for exactly this purpose, to bias condenser mics (though applying 48V directly will destroy this particular type), though other equipment can also take advantage of this power source. Most professional mixers provide phantom power on their mic inputs.

A preamp simply buffers and amplifies the usually small signal coming from the microphone up to line level, and doesn't imply phantom power (which is probably not too useful for this application).

[dangus]

http://mysite.verizon.net/tammie_eri...mp/preamp.html

[internecine]

so i now know what im doing about the mic

now is the question of the necessary equipment i will need after that.

if i get a m-audio transit, then i need a pre amp

if i get a m-audio mobile pre, then that covers both the interface and the preamp

am i getting this right?

is there any cheaper way to do what i am looking to do?

[Svein_B]

1) Byu the Panasonic WM-61A from Digikey or on Ebay.
2) Make a power supply:

3) Plug it into the mic input of your notebook PC, or use the M-Audio Transit (or similar)
If you use the M-Audio Transit you may be able to omit the separate power supply since it has [I believe] built in power for electret microphones.
4) Make a suitable stand
I just canibalized a cheap PC mic with a new capsule:


SveinB.

[error401]

Thanks for the post by the way, reminds me to put one or two of these guys on my next DK order. Would definitely be handy to have around since the cheapie computer mic I have now is absolutely horrible.

[internecine]

so a preamp is not necessary?

or is a preamp prefered but the 9v power supply is good enough?