Condenser mic body made of plastic and wire mesh?

[pasarski]

I'm thinking of making a body for a tube mic out of transparent PVC and wrap it with metal wire mesh. Also thinking of using a heat sink for the valve. Could this possibly work?

 

[riggler]

The PVC may take a static charge. Also, it may take on a slight amount of moisture. Now, would mesh on the inside drain it away? Not sure, and would be dependent on the build.

Not claiming to be a know-it-all here, but in my research for isolating high-impedance mic parts, you'd need a low-absorption, high-resistance delrin, perspex, or lucite plastic.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[pasarski]

Thanks for your two cents (at least three if you ask me!).

 

[pasarski]

Actually now that I read this response second time, I don't get why would the moisture absorption matter? Mic body wouldn't have to isolate, I would isolate the capsule in same manner than in a normal metal body mic. An if I place the mesh inside the mic body wouldn't that keep any static away from the circuit, at least if there is a air gap?

(I think I'm asking stupid questions, I prolly should just try these things out..)

 

[seavote]

seems likean interesting idea to me. i dont understand the point about moisture either.can you explain a little more riggler?. if the mesh will provide proper grounding and rf  blocking this would make DIY mic  bodies cheaper and easier the construct.

 

[Gus]

One issue could be the body damping. 

 

[gemini86]

try it!

worse that could happen? you'll have a useless piece of microphone-shaped plastic...

 

[riggler]

Not authoritative here, BUT my research has led me to the following:
some plastics take on moisture in the air, changing their electrical resistance properties. Around a capsule and really high impedance parts of the amp circuit susceptible to RF, you have a voltage potential in static electricity built up on the mic body. I can't say whether the internal mesh would protect the circuit from the above situation, sounds it would.

 

[pasarski]

Thanks guys! I'll look for a suitable mesh, plastic tube and think about the construction, damping and grounding issues. I'm really excited about this project, haven't seen a translucent microphone before.

 

[gemini86]

Any progress on this? Did it explode instantly?  ;D Just curious to see what you came up with.

 

[pasarski]

Still missing the plastic, mesh and other parts (like a Thomann mic that I'm going to use for frame and headbasket). It's going to take a while till I get anything done, but I'll report back when I'm at the trouble shooting stage