I-Mic Harmonica Microphone

I-Mic Harmonica Microphone
This is how to build a simple harp mic that was based on the imic design. I ran into elsewhere on the web but did not see it here and thought it would be a good fit. It is easy and cheap to build and provides a chance to get really creative by choosing a cool enclosure. If you don't play harmonica don't or play it as badly as I do it still has other uses. It is a dynamic mic and can be used as any dynamic mic would be used. The design really lends it self to being plug into to guitar type amplifier that is why harp players dig it. If you are a guitarist you can plug it into your amp and effects and get some nice dirty vocal or use it as a feedback instrument if you dig noise.
 
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Step 1Materials & Tools

Materials & Tools
Bill of Materials:

Electronics Grade Solder

Wire (i used 22 gauge braided but anything will do only need acouple of feet and 2 colors are nice to keep track of which wire is which)

10k potentiometer (use can use other values if you wish but this works good here is a link to the i used from mouser. small is good cause of little room 16mm pots work great.)

Knob for pot

1/4" phono mono jack (i used switchcraft #11there a quality but any jack will do and you can 1/8" if you wish)

Dynamic Mic Element ( I used a Kobetone 25LM032 but other can be used. The are lots of nice element available on ebay and surplus and antique electronic suppliers on the web. Or you can canabilize something you have around)

Enclosure (This is the fun part. A lot of people building these have chosen plastic bottles but any thing the right size, a little bit durable and able to be tooled will work. I use an empty lotion container from my wife because it was what I had around. TO get the idea going here is a link to someHere! Here!)

Tools

Soldering Iron (15W to 35W you have to be carefully with higher wattage irons on the element)

"Drill & Bits"

Wire Cutters

Wire Strippers

Maybes?depending on enclosure choice

Tape

File

Glue

Bubble wrap

Styrofoam

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15 comments
Jun 15, 2009. 8:04 PMClayton H. says:
how would you connect this with a XLR cable instead of a 1/4" jack?
Mar 25, 2010. 10:52 AMdenanderen says:
though i haven't tried it myself, i believe you could use this diagram for about any element you want.
520dwiring100224a.jpg
Sep 1, 2009. 1:30 PMDarwins_Deathcat says:
Your instructable here was one of my first inspirations to start doing this kind of stuff! Thanks man! Now it's come full circle: Check out my new instructable all about Harmonica Microphone building... http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-build-your-own-harmonica-mics/
Oct 23, 2008. 12:06 PMpod says:
hay thank's a lot man that realy helped thanks agen grillslinger!!!!!!!!!! p.s you rock man!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct 22, 2008. 2:11 PMpod says:
hay grillslinger how did you make a mic out of an led flashlighjt????
Oct 23, 2008. 5:52 AMgrillslinger says:
Not quite as exciting as it seems. Make sure you find the right flashlight. A search in Amazon.com fro "titan led flashlight" brought up a lot of good candidates. Find out that turns on with a rubber button on the end opposite the light. Then all I did was transfer the guts from a small microphone from a little kareoke machine, chord and all. I will say this though...the quality of sound is probably not as good as the microphone on this instructable. I-mics have a pretty good rating.
Oct 22, 2008. 2:08 PMpod says:
what typ of lotion bottle did you use?????
Sep 9, 2008. 2:47 PMgrillslinger says:
From small LED flashlight...
mic01.jpgmic02.jpgmic03.jpg
Aug 12, 2008. 1:38 PMabadfart says:
i use an old intercom mic
Jun 23, 2008. 9:46 AMwilliestratton says:
nice man, real nice, i find it helps cut feedback if you shield teh inside with tinfoil, just a tip, nice work man.
Mar 17, 2008. 5:41 PMcoleale says:
Great instructable, but I have a question: would the original microphone element from an old phone work? Thanks.
Sep 27, 2007. 4:17 PMconductor_AJ says:
Looks FAMILIAR ;)
Harpophone.jpg
Jun 24, 2007. 12:02 AMgoogoomuck11 says:
Totally Tubular!!!

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Author:kubton