Mods for cheap PC microphone?

TheLaw117 · 14th April 2011, 01:28 AM

Hi everyone,

So I have a super cheap Audio-Technica ATR4700 which is $15 condenser mic for PC use. Audio-Technica is a good brand for mics, but this one is on their lower tier...I'd like to do a little bit of recording. I have an electric dumset and keyboard so I do most of my stuff on MIDI, but I play the trombone as well...and I'd like to record.

Has anyone ever modded a PC based mic for better sound quality? Any quick and dirty mods are welcome, as well as more complex ones like changing around the internals and such.

I don't have my camera right now, but I'll have by Friday. Should I crack it open to see if there's anything in side? Do PC mics actually have circuit boards inside?

Thanks.

nigelwright7557 · 14th April 2011, 01:39 AM

Best option is to bin it and buy a quality mic with a 3.5mm adaptor.

TheLaw117 · 14th April 2011, 01:52 AM

Haha...Well I'm just saying, theoretically...

purplepeople · 14th April 2011, 02:07 AM

The first response is on the money. For example, I think you would do well to get a good used SM57 and build a preamp for it.

:)ensen.

TheLaw117 · 14th April 2011, 12:55 PM

Well...by mods I mean, stuff like putting a t-shirt over it or making a windscreen or something. I'm no audiophile. I'm just looking for improvements.

jackinnj · 14th April 2011, 01:05 PM

Might want to read Scott Wurcer's article in Linear Audio Vol. 1. (This article alone made the subscription worthwhile.)

DJNUBZ · 24th April 2011, 08:33 PM

There are no mods that will bring this up to a useable level. Spend $60-$100 on something like a blue usb snowball and you will be a lot happier. If you want an even better option, Build a decent mic pre and use it with your mic. Then when you have the money go buy a decent mic. There are some instances where you can mod mics or preamps but this is one of those instances where it really isn't worthwhile.

BTW you could always build your own mic, there are plans + kits out there.

Cirric · 2nd May 2011, 04:52 PM

I used a parabolic metal lampshade and mounted the mike to it, sort of like what you see on the sidelines of an NFL game. If the mike is noise cancelling (most use two elements out of phase to achieve this) you may need to experiment to find the sweet spot. Eventually used the same lampshade as a booster for my home XM radio for a while. Otherwise your first answers are your best bet. Of course you could carry the lampshade on your head for convenience.

14th April 2011, 01:28 AM	#1
TheLaw117 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010	Mods for cheap PC microphone? Hi everyone, So I have a super cheap Audio-Technica ATR4700 which is $15 condenser mic for PC use. Audio-Technica is a good brand for mics, but this one is on their lower tier...I'd like to do a little bit of recording. I have an electric dumset and keyboard so I do most of my stuff on MIDI, but I play the trombone as well...and I'd like to record. Has anyone ever modded a PC based mic for better sound quality? Any quick and dirty mods are welcome, as well as more complex ones like changing around the internals and such. I don't have my camera right now, but I'll have by Friday. Should I crack it open to see if there's anything in side? Do PC mics actually have circuit boards inside? Thanks.

14th April 2011, 01:39 AM	#2
nigelwright7557 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Carlisle, England	Best option is to bin it and buy a quality mic with a 3.5mm adaptor. __________________ http://www.murtonpikesystems.co.uk PCBCAD40 pcb design software.

14th April 2011, 02:07 AM	#4
purplepeople diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London, Ontario, Canada	The first response is on the money. For example, I think you would do well to get a good used SM57 and build a preamp for it. :)ensen. __________________ Those who claim to be making history are often the same ones repeating it.

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14th April 2011, 01:52 AM	#3
TheLaw117 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010	Haha...Well I'm just saying, theoretically...

14th April 2011, 12:55 PM	#5
TheLaw117 diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2010	Well...by mods I mean, stuff like putting a t-shirt over it or making a windscreen or something. I'm no audiophile. I'm just looking for improvements.

14th April 2011, 01:05 PM	#6
jackinnj diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Llanddewi Brefi, NJ	Might want to read Scott Wurcer's article in Linear Audio Vol. 1. (This article alone made the subscription worthwhile.)

24th April 2011, 08:33 PM	#7
DJNUBZ diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago	There are no mods that will bring this up to a useable level. Spend $60-$100 on something like a blue usb snowball and you will be a lot happier. If you want an even better option, Build a decent mic pre and use it with your mic. Then when you have the money go buy a decent mic. There are some instances where you can mod mics or preamps but this is one of those instances where it really isn't worthwhile. BTW you could always build your own mic, there are plans + kits out there.

2nd May 2011, 04:52 PM	#8
Cirric diyAudio Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: NE coast of Massachusetts	I used a parabolic metal lampshade and mounted the mike to it, sort of like what you see on the sidelines of an NFL game. If the mike is noise cancelling (most use two elements out of phase to achieve this) you may need to experiment to find the sweet spot. Eventually used the same lampshade as a booster for my home XM radio for a while. Otherwise your first answers are your best bet. Of course you could carry the lampshade on your head for convenience.

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