DIY Microphones?

[obblitt]

Is there anyone in the DIY electronics universe that does microphones? 

'Cause... you know... Having a nice mic for DIY prices would be kinda cool, no?

[petemoore]

http://www.scotthelmke.com/alice-mic.html
 
  http://www.google.com/search?q=DIY+Microphone&rls=com.microsoft:*:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7DKUS
   

   GGL

[Chris S]

I've build this http://www.christianmusicweb.com/microphones/mic_project.html it's really small so I've stuck it in a resonator and put a couple in a foot stomping box too. Not amazing but really good for what it is.

[Ripthorn]

Check out John Niant.  He gives plans for microphones that he actually sells, but you can build them yourself.  He even has a tube one that you can build the whole thing for maybe 20 bucks or less.

[jefe]

A recent thread that you may find interesting:

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=73437.0

[bipedal]

Search for Tape Op -- monthly mag and they host an active online forum.  GREAT resource for recordists (techniques, tools, gadgets) from DIY home dabblers up to big "professional" projects.

There is an interesting-looking DIY microphone project in Tape Op's recently-published book (volume 2).

Cheers,

- Jay

[birt]

oh and you can find the schematic of the AKG solidtube mic online too

[moosapotamus]

These sound pretty good...
http://moosapotamus.net/THINGS/mics.htm

~ Charlie

[Joe Stone]

I built a pair of the TapeOp omnis and they sound great... really clean.  those moosapotamus ones look smarter though.

There's a diy mic builder yahoo group, but it's a huge pain in the ass to navigate through not as nicely laid out as the DIYstompboxes forum.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/micbuilders/

also, i haven't reached that stage where DIY = cheaper. . . does that actually happen? 

[Gus]

Yes I build tube and solid state condensers, machine the bodies soon might be winding my own transformers and maybe my own capsules.  Been building and adjusting and servicing microphones for some years.

look around this site
http://www.prodigy-pro.com/diy/index.php

Some good information on the web but IMO also a lot of not so good information.

[Mark Hammer]

I've been using homebrew electret cartridge + preamp units for years, and they can work really well.  Most people have encountered them in rather suboptimal conditions (e.g., in dictaphones, answering machines, or cheap cassette recorders) where the enclosure creates unpleasant resonances, or where there may be mechanical noise that cannot be avoided.  Used with suitable electronics in a more hospitable circumstance, they can actually sound pretty good.

[birt]

the moosapotamus mics are cool. i have loads of electrets without any indication of brand or type. might be a good way to use them.

[cathexis]

  STEREO!

[birt]

looks great, especially with the lego background :p

[Gus]

Two to start one tube one fet.  Capsule in the tube about $1,000 transformer about $150 made the body there are reasons for the shape.
Fet one is housed in a piece of fence pipe.  I have built other condenser microphones.

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/gus/moresquare.JPG.html

http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/gus/fet2.JPG.html

[obblitt]

Sorry everyone, I get kinda lazy sometimes and don't really take advantage of the search option.