sr1200
Well-known member
Curious if anyone has tried experimenting with carbon mics and the preamps needed to use them.
I've run into a few interesting articles that half contradict each other. One says processed anthracite coal is needed, another says you can use graphite for the carbon element. Apparently you want the granules as hard as you can get.
For the preamp, Shure has an interesting article describing a "typical" device using a 12V supply limited to 50mA of current using a 200Ohm resistor and a 20uF cap along with a transformer (of which there is no spec).
I've seen and heard these being used in a museum. Obviously not great sounding devices by any stretch, but I think it would be a fun project to either try and create the mic and pre, or just the pre and find an old mic to restore.
I've run into a few interesting articles that half contradict each other. One says processed anthracite coal is needed, another says you can use graphite for the carbon element. Apparently you want the granules as hard as you can get.
For the preamp, Shure has an interesting article describing a "typical" device using a 12V supply limited to 50mA of current using a 200Ohm resistor and a 20uF cap along with a transformer (of which there is no spec).
I've seen and heard these being used in a museum. Obviously not great sounding devices by any stretch, but I think it would be a fun project to either try and create the mic and pre, or just the pre and find an old mic to restore.
