DIY Mic

[lPhoenix]

Ok so let's go straight to the point. I'm looking into some home recording for myself until I save up for studio time. Basically, here's what I wanna do: I want to make a small microphone using junk I have here at home, but Google is only giving me stuff like How to make a microphone for inside a room or something like it, but not something to actually record with, while using my junk.

I've seen things using old speakers, or regular speakers/earbuds into my MIC port, but this never really came out all that good. I'm looking for something that could hold on it's own on a stick or something for me to put in my closet, kind of thing.

im a student AKA broke, and with rent, groceries and all that ****, I cant afford to pay for anything, really. Even though I do have a job, it can't pay off all that much for me to do anything.

I was thinking maybe someone would have any FUNCTIONAL ideas which would help me out. Keep in mind that I don't have much money to buy anything, not to say none at all, and I'd like some kind of home-made mic which is easily put on a shelf/stick or whatever

thanks!

DW

 

[Steerpike]

You could take a look at "Electret condenser capsules", as bought from a spares / component supplier. They are VERY cheap - and while not in the league of a professional microphone, they sound very good for their cost. (they need a power source, but 3 AAA cells is just fine & will last for years)

You can even pull them out of old telephone answering machines - with a good DIY pre-amp, they can be quite OK sounding.

Also, the handheld mic's that came with portable cassette recorders of the 70's and 80's. What generally spoils their performance is the moulded plastic case they were put into. If you take out the actual mic capsule, and use it 'naked' - some have a very transparent, natural sound. (I'm talking about the moving coil 'dynamic' type [200 to 600 ohm], not the crystal types)

Same applies to the electret mic capsules - try to use them 'naked', any box or casing can seriously alter / degrade their tonal character.

And you really don't have to spend lots of money: Good recordings have more to do with technique than owning the best equipment. Using a cheap mic well will get you better recorings than a costly mic used badly.

 

[Dr_EM]

I second the use of electret capsules. I've used them several times for recording mics, in my case to be connected to a mixer with phantom powering. You can battery power them though, but I wouldn't reccomend the pre-amp built into most sound cards, I know for one mine is awful. Some reading:

http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/microphone_powering.html
http://www.mp3forkidz.com/mic/
http://sound.westhost.com/project93.htm

Those ESP circuits might not provide enough gain for recording though. This will:

http://sound.westhost.com/project66.htm

but may not be ideal impedance match. Still undoubtebly better than the typical built in pre-amp

A great capsule is the Panasonic WM-61A, though most offer fairly good quality.

For interest here's a recording I made for a freind (comfort of silence) with an electret mic of mine:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=248197

They work quite well on classical guitars, but can be used for vocals and other instruments too

 

[Garyepe]

I can give you the Electret condenser microphone

I think I can give you the Electret condenser microphone. and our website is http://www.lxmic.com/English/En_Product.asp?EnBigClassName=Electret Condenser Microphone


By the way, we also can use the paypal .

John

 

[Dr_EM]

Wide selection of capsules there! EM-4522P looks quite good, though if 2V is maximum supply voltage it may not handle such dynamics as a Panasonic WM-61A, which takes 10V (I believe)?

PS: Your company makes the mains cable on my router!

 

[Garyepe]

thanks for your attention

Dr.EM

Thanks for your attention of the ECM.

As the Voltage of the MIC is from 1.5V to 10V.

How many that you need ?

John

 

[Dr_EM]

I was merely commenting objectively on your microphones for the benefit of the original poster, I was not intending to purchase any. Sorry for any confusion!

 

[Alexxx8610]

Hello Has anybody phantom powered an electret mic if so could you share the schematics and how to set them together 'cause i've seen this project "http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Studio-Condenser-Mic/ " but it's not clear enough to do it myself

thanks

 

[Alexxx8610]

HElp with Phantom power for electret

Hi i'm new here but i'm trying to find a way to create a power supplier for an electret capsule i've seen this project " http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Studio-Condenser-Mic/" but is not clear enough to be followed or also build, so i'm here asking if some of you have done something like that or also like " Electret Microphone Conversion - YouTube " hoe you can help me with the way to make one of them and thanks