Electret mic preamp

[quad]

Here's the deal. Let's start off with a picture. https://www.dropbox.com/s/5w0ck7r55vxe5oi/IMG_1595.JPG?m=

I got these headphones with a, which seems to be, an electret mic. I know nothing about these microphones. Now, what I want is to use these headphones with my audio interface (phones) and one of the recording inputs for the microphone. The options are XLR mic input and TRS instrument input on the interface. Those elecret mics probably need some kind of a power source. Obviously it doesn't work just by plugging that mic straight into the audio interface. So, the question is, what kind of a preamp do I have to solder? Any schematics would be welcome. One more thing, this headphone mic has 3.5mm stereo jack. Not sure how these things are wired. Could anyone help me out with this stuff?

P.S I'm not planning on using that bad mic for recording. It's just for convenient communication purposes.

[Kipper4]

probably a good idea to look at the spec sheet for the phone/mic combo
It could be that the mic is intended for use with a computer. In which case it is likely going to get its power (5v) from the 1/8" jack on the end of the mic.
Which means its probably unsuitable for use with your interface phantom power source which is usually 48v.
If you have an interface why not buy a cheap an chearfull small diagphragm condensor for use with the interface something like the Niaint xs. a dicreet mic . I own one and love it. (not affiated btw) Niaint.com i think it is???
Plus its great for recording acoustic guitar (bonus) and its real cheap.
Its omni directional mic too. so less proximity effect than a dynamic mic
Is it a gaming headset?
I hope this helps. feel free to tell me to mind my own if its no help

[quad]

I have plenty of proper microphones for recording. It is indeed a gaming headset intended for use with a computer, but I intend to use it for handling Skype calls and stuff like that through one of my recording inputs on the interface. It's quite convenient to have a mic attached to the headset. That's the only reason - convenience. Otherwise I'd just use my SM58. ^^

[Seljer]

Heres a load of options http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/microphone_powering.html

The simplest is the circuit at the start of the page: take a 9V battery, a couple of kiloohms resistance between the capsule and the supply voltage (refer to the capsule's datasheet) and a big capacitor

For use with phantom power you use a zener diode to get power from both supply lines.
I've built a couple of mics around this circuit http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/electret_xlr2.gif
You can fit the entire thing into an XLR plug if you're crafty. It sounds pretty decent on acoustic instruments, anything loud and the capsule itself runs out of headroom, also haven't had any trouble with 30m runs of cable.

[deadastronaut]

@quad: no mic on webcam?..

[quad]

Thank you for the tips. My computer mic input measures 5V on the tip, so I'll just feed 5v to it the same way my computer does. I will also try the phantom power circuit for fun.

@quad: no mic on webcam?..

I don't own a webam. ^^

[tranceracer]

If you search electret mic schematic and check out the images.  Lots of simple ckts.

[noisette]

Hi, check out this:
http://sound.westhost.com/project93.htm

[quad]

Thank you all for all the links. Plenty of stuff to pick from. Here's the end result: https://www.dropbox.com/s/8xbs868ithc3avi/IMG_1613.JPG?m=

I fed 9 volts into it from a battery. Used an old laptop PS enclosure. Other than that, one could simply build it into an XLR cable indeed. The mic's alive and well now.