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http://recordinghacks.com/articles/how-to-build-a-microphone/
For decades condenser microphones have been the staple for high-quality recording and live sound assignments. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to own a good one. Well that's about to change. I've written this article so that anyone who wants a great condenser mic (or those who just want more of them) can have their wish.
For around $20 (US) anyone can build an extremely accurate, life-like condenser microphone. DO NOT let the cost fool you, this mic's frighteningly good performance will blow your mind — and it's easy to build! -Joel Cameron
This microphone is largely based on a posting I found on the internet showing how to modify Realistic (Radio Shack) PZMs for better performance. I have simply finished the design so people can build a complete mic from scratch. After making a pair of these, I was shocked to find out how amazing they sound. In fact, these little buggers have become my first choice for capturing unhyped, totally natural stereo images, beating-out pairs of choice small and large-diaphragm condensers, and some nice ribbons too!
(Score: 3, Informative) by Alfred on Monday October 21 2019, @01:53PM (4 children)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @02:30PM
It's not inventing a new mic, only the amp circuit. I made one many years ago using only a power transistor for a PA system. Lots of feedback but loud and clear.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @02:48PM (2 children)
IIRC, those Panasonic back-electret capsules were discontinued about 6-7 years ago. Things changed since 2012 and today $60 will get you a pair of crappy Chinese electret mics at retail [sweetwater.com] while all the studio classics have been cloned. [warmaudio.com] There's no longer any real cost advantage to DIY, [vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com] just fun ;)
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @05:05PM (1 child)
I've heard that the biggest difference depends upon how you get the sound out of it. If at all possible, if you can't get audophile-quality cables, at least grab a high-quality coat hanger. If you work in a TOSLink chip to your design, then for God sakes don't go do all that effort and not get the gold-plated fiber optic cables!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @05:41PM
Cannot deny but audiofools are a different industry. [audiophile.rocks] If you're building or maintaining professional audio recording equipment, you start here. [ap.com]
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @02:57PM
Anyone interested in this topic should check out this series from Dave Jones (EEVblog) and Doug Ford (former head designer at Rode Microphones), where they cover all sorts of microphone details and design considerations on the whiteboard. Well worth watching.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvOlSehNtuHv98KUcud260yJBRQngBKiw [youtube.com]
(Score: -1, Redundant) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @03:47PM (1 child)
Who cares?!
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @04:15PM
I do
(Score: 1) by Zappy on Monday October 21 2019, @04:17PM (2 children)
continue to build the preamp.
(Score: 3, Informative) by RS3 on Monday October 21 2019, @04:59PM (1 child)
And frankly it's not a preamp, just simple power / interface for an electret condenser mic. I was hoping for someone actually building a microphone element.
When I was a kid I messed around with lots of stuff, including growing crystals to make a crystal mic, carbon grain mics, wound coils to make "dynamic" mics. Nothing fancy- just proof of concept.
Here's a vid on making the crystals. They would then need slicing, electrical contacts, diaphragm, and mounting frame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3G2QM5a-9U [youtube.com]
Here's one where he buys a transducer, but makes an actual preamp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOJuCYgmPPE [youtube.com]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday October 22 2019, @06:33PM
this is what i was thinking when the article starts talking about a proprietary power supply like that's a good thing. if know how to find ebay, dude...
(Score: 4, Informative) by Rich on Monday October 21 2019, @04:17PM (4 children)
This is more like "cheapo Panasonic electret cartridge sounds as good as a decent studio mic". The article is just about wiring it up. Unfortunately, the WM-60AJ is long obsolete, and so is the WM-61A which was suggested (on a random thread I just saw) as even better alternative.
The article would be valuable if they'd tell us what replacement for those is recommended. There seem to be ebay offers for the 61, but these are probably Chinese replicas.
And it's not like Neumann built their classics from fairy dust, I guess it was more "Looken, zey are using zis newfangled 'mylar' stuff for kondensatoren - could we make a membrane out of zat and measure the capacitance?". Within the realm of modern makers. But then, the membrane mikes really did come down in cost, so DIY isn't that effective if one factors in the nice case. I have a StudioProjects B1 (iirc) because it came out best in blind tests I did, and it wasn't that expensive (relatively, anyway, around 120€, which is in the ballpark of any DIY if time gets factored in).
(Score: 2) by epitaxial on Monday October 21 2019, @04:50PM
Yeah I thought this was how to make the actual element which sounded pretty interesting. But as you said its just how to wire up a 99 cent electret.
(Score: 2) by hemocyanin on Monday October 21 2019, @04:53PM (1 child)
I'm inclined to agree -- I was interested in learning how to make a microphone more than how to wire up microphone components.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Monday October 21 2019, @05:24PM
Please see my above post, and tons more info: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=make+microphone [youtube.com]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 21 2019, @05:29PM
These old panasonic capsules are ~26dBA, a modern electret will have a self-noise of ~20dBA while ~15dBA is more typical for a true, externally polarized condenser.
EM258? [primomic.com] I've no idea if it's a drop-in replacement and I'd be looking for a better amplifier circuit too.
(Score: 1) by kolie on Monday October 21 2019, @05:06PM
Why not use WM-61A