DIY Studio Condenser Mic

Build a studio quality +48v phantom powered Condenser Mic for under $35! - http://www.diycondensermics.com

These Mics are highly sensitive, and be setup to use a 9v battery if you don't have phantom power. You can put them into pretty much anything, and they can be made pretty small.

Step 1 Phantom Power?

Phantom power is a +48v (typically) dc current that is applied to two of the pins on an XLR connector, that is used to create a reference for the Mic capsule. Condenser Mic elements work similarly to capacitors, who's capacitance varies when the diaphragm vibrates. Condenser Mics use this to produce a signal, as opposed to Dynamic Mics, which use magnetic vibration to produce a signal. Because Condenser Mics use the capacitance variation to create the signal, the element must be electrically charged. Thus we have Phantom Power! Most newer Mics that require phantom power, also have the option of using a (or sometimes 2-3) 9v batteries, just in case phantom power is not available.

The schematic below shows the 9v circuit. You know that you'll always be able to use phantom power with you mic, you can just leave it out to make it simpler.

Comments

[mryan11]

Hi there, the website you link no longer exists, and I'm finding in very difficult locating useful information on a simple condenser mic like this.
Your schematic in the first step simply describes four 10uF caps, but not their types. Judging from this picture:
- C3 is tantalum, but what is it's orientation? And it's voltage rating?
- C3 and C4 are identical, but notably larger than C1, even though they both appear to be metal-poly caps. What's going on there? Are you sure that your schematic correctly labels these three values?

Thanks, Mitch.

[traxonja]

You have got to be kidding me :-) "...phantom power. You can put them into pretty much anything, ..."

[JuCo]

haha... were you thinking what i was?

[markeeee]

Actually this is true you need to be aare that you are sticking 48 Volts and potentially a couple of 100 mA into some delicate equipment. get it wrong and you can magnatise your input transformers on your desk or in your mic.

Just unpluging a mic with phanton applied can damage a desk or mic if the item has no ptotection built it.
think about it the 48V is applied to th sides of the ballanced circuit apply it to one side and you can have issues.
I have seen a mic capsule blown by a badly wired xlr and phanton power applied ?


its possible

[JuCo]

yeah, i know... i was just making a crude joke.

but still... good info and a good warning.

[xadevox]

Where can i get the xlr pin thing with leads so i can put it on my circuit?

[REKAMBERGERAK]

What about the head room...is it quite good?. Thanks

[BearNecessity]

 Is there any way we could get this circuit with better resolution.. i try to zoom in but it just blurs it all.. Great work tho.. I cant wait to have my own

[bigdatapimp]

Go to http://www.diycondensermics.com/schem.htm.... there you find the schematic in a larger size, and you will be able to view it blown up. Plus there is more info in general for building the Mics.

[Macyoshary]

In your final link I think it should be http://www.diycondensermics.com (you missed out the s) :)

[bigdatapimp]

Thank you! Sometimes my fingers get a little dyslexic.... you are correct the link should be
http://www.diycondensermics.com

[Macyoshary]

Is using phantom power dangerous if something gets soldered wrong, because I've heard that it can backfire and fry the mixer (or at least the channel).