Icantthinkofaname
Well-known member
I have one of those Chinese electret condensers sitting around, the ones that go for like $20 on Amazon, and I think doing a DIY project with it might be interesting. I'd like to put the mic to use in some way rather than just throwing it away.
Ideally I'd like to be able to just replace the capsule if it's possible to get decent results with only a capsule swap. I see some decent looking electret capsules on JLI Electronics like the TSB capsules, but I don't know if those are any good (the frequency response looks alright at least).
I don't have any experience with designing or modifying electronics so I don't know how to design a PCB or read a schematic diagram of circuitry which is why a capsule swap is preferable. No idea how to polarize a capsule or design a circuit for that so large diaphragm (32mm/34mm) capsules are out of the question.
If a replacement circuit board is necessary are there any decent cheaper ones? I know Microphone-Parts has a $100 PCB kit, but if I buy that circuit board and their offered TSB capsule I think I might as well just look at used microphones. Links to guides and already completed projects with instructions using those throw away mics (BM-700/800 and the like) are welcome as well as are links to parts.
I do have a very usable LDC (U87 style mic, but transformerless and not very harsh sounding) so this is really only a project or mic for occasional use, not quite sure what I want tone wise but maybe a flat-ish or dark sound would be good for contrast with the accented mids and highs that my current mic has?
Ideally I'd like to be able to just replace the capsule if it's possible to get decent results with only a capsule swap. I see some decent looking electret capsules on JLI Electronics like the TSB capsules, but I don't know if those are any good (the frequency response looks alright at least).
I don't have any experience with designing or modifying electronics so I don't know how to design a PCB or read a schematic diagram of circuitry which is why a capsule swap is preferable. No idea how to polarize a capsule or design a circuit for that so large diaphragm (32mm/34mm) capsules are out of the question.
If a replacement circuit board is necessary are there any decent cheaper ones? I know Microphone-Parts has a $100 PCB kit, but if I buy that circuit board and their offered TSB capsule I think I might as well just look at used microphones. Links to guides and already completed projects with instructions using those throw away mics (BM-700/800 and the like) are welcome as well as are links to parts.
I do have a very usable LDC (U87 style mic, but transformerless and not very harsh sounding) so this is really only a project or mic for occasional use, not quite sure what I want tone wise but maybe a flat-ish or dark sound would be good for contrast with the accented mids and highs that my current mic has?