Now, the next time you want a stereo microphone, you can hit print.
Well, okay – that’s not entirely correct. But a combination of last-century DIY (circuits for making the mic) with this-century DIY (3D printing for making a convenient housing) means a custom microphone you can build that’s exactly suited to your needs. And, oh yeah – it’s both cheap and fun.
Frank Piesik shares this project via Google+ and his blog. The plans are open-sourced and available on GitHub, so you can try making your own if you like; you’ll just need a 3D printer or 3D printing service for the housing (or you can try making your own via another, more traditional means).
Most importantly, the results sound terrific. Have a listen to some sound samples:
The ingredients:
First, the original project: Panasonic WM61 homebrew microphone design [Wildlife Sound Recording Society]
3D files on Makerbot’s Thingiverse
Features:
On/off switch
Gain boost (which could be converted to gain damp)
Preamp (which could be removed and replaced with phantom power)
9V battery (for powering the capsules, adding headroom)
And in this case, an old iRiver h120 with Rockbox firmware does the recording – another abandoned product saved from turning into toxic waste. Upcycle!
Best of all, because of the design here, modifications are easy, which isn’t true of most consumer mic products. And it looks pretty:
Thanks, Frank!
http://frankpiesik.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/pmic/
That was surprisingly clear and low in noise.. was there some reduction on the recordings?
hi!
no, the files are straight out of the recorder.
That was surprisingly clear and low in noise.. was there some reduction on the recordings?
hi!
no, the files are straight out of the recorder.
That was surprisingly clear and low in noise.. was there some reduction on the recordings?
hi!
no, the files are straight out of the recorder.
Would this mic be available to purchase for those of us who aren’t so handy with DIY assembly? I love the sound, but I could never make this.
yes, why not. Well, i don’t know what to charge for this yet. I’ll write a
bill of materials over the weekend to calculate what it costs me to produce. Then I’ll make you an offer…:)
I would also be interested!
Hi,
look, here is my offer:
http://frankpiesik.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/pmic/#comment-21
Would this mic be available to purchase for those of us who aren’t so handy with DIY assembly? I love the sound, but I could never make this.
yes, why not. Well, i don’t know what to charge for this yet. I’ll write a
bill of materials over the weekend to calculate what it costs me to produce. Then I’ll make you an offer…:)
I would also be interested!
Hi,
look, here is my offer:
http://frankpiesik.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/pmic/#comment-21
Would this mic be available to purchase for those of us who aren’t so handy with DIY assembly? I love the sound, but I could never make this.
yes, why not. Well, i don’t know what to charge for this yet. I’ll write a
bill of materials over the weekend to calculate what it costs me to produce. Then I’ll make you an offer…:)
I would also be interested!
Hi,
look, here is my offer:
http://frankpiesik.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/pmic/#comment-21
The Mic sounds great! Great Job Frank
The Mic sounds great! Great Job Frank
The Mic sounds great! Great Job Frank