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Do-it-yourself semi-professional computer microphone. How to make a microphone from headphones. Do-it-yourself electret microphone - manufacturing secrets

Working with electrical appliances has always been considered a difficult task. Usually only people who have enough experience or have studied this in educational institutions do it. We are used to buying equipment in specialized stores, so few people think about making it themselves various types devices. Of course, you can repair something yourself, but making equipment at home requires skill.

If you have the necessary equipment and materials, experience in this field and the desire to design something and save money family budget, you can try to find interesting ideas on the Internet. There you will find many interesting ideas and tips on how to make devices better.

In our article we will look at one of the studio devices that can also be used for personal use. We will talk about microphones and how to create them yourself at home. We will look at all the pros and cons of this method.

IMPORTANT: Working with electronics and electrical appliances carries risks and potential health hazards. We recommend that you refrain from working if you are not confident in your skills and abilities in the field of electrical appliances.

Is it possible to make a microphone with your own hands?

Man is capable of creating almost anything he wants; nature has endowed him with inimitable intelligence and the ability to fantasize. A microphone for a computer is far from the most complex device of all possible inventions of mankind. But it is worth considering the level of your abilities and skills. The final result of all work will depend on them.

If you are seriously thinking about creating a unique microphone, you should ensure the workflow in advance with all necessary tools and materials. To do this you will need to purchase:

  • To create an electret microphone, you will need a special capsule, which can be taken out of the radio or taken second-hand from the market. This will be the main element in creating a home microphone.
  • A special adapter for connecting to a 3.5 mm jack connector. You can use a wire from an old headphone with a matching cable.
  • For the main body, any cylindrical material is sufficient: syringe tubes, jars, tubes...
  • Required amount of wire. Choose the length according to the distance from the sound transmitter. The optimal length would be 1-2 meters.
  • Foam or fur covering that protects the body from wind and moisture.

This is quite enough to create a homemade version of the device. No expensive elements, only the essentials for normal functioning. This method will help you save money, since good equipment in stores is very expensive, and cheap models usually have poor parameters and sound characteristics.

IMPORTANT: Appearance The microphone will turn out to be unusual and will differ from store-bought options. If you wish, you can purchase additional parts for the case or look for old non-working devices and take spare parts from them.

Manufacturing instructions

After you have prepared everything for manufacturing, you can begin the most difficult stage of the work. Be especially careful when performing sequences of manipulations with electronics. For convenience, all points are described in detail in the instructions below:

  1. Prepare the microphone body. Round off the pre-prepared cylindrical workpiece and cut it off at the ends, leaving the edges open.
  2. Pass the wire inside the cylinder and secure it inside by tying one end with a knot.
  3. Now solder the capsule to the end of the wire that is located inside the cylinder and secure it with a paper clip or paper clip. The braid of the capsule must be connected to the shielded wire.
  4. Solder the other, remaining free end of the wire to the 3.5 mm jack plug. In this case, you should connect both channels for transmitting sound vibrations and broadcast them to the transmitter.
  5. A foam covering works great for the top, cut it to the appropriate size and shape and attach it to the top.
  6. After that, connect the device and check its operation by saying a few phrases into the microphone. At correct connection wires, the sound should be transmitted to the capsule and amplified.

IMPORTANT: If there is no result, the problem may be in the adhesions. Try taking everything apart and re-soldering the wires to the capsule and plug.

How long will a homemade microphone last?

It is difficult to determine and say the exact service life for homemade items, as opposed to purchased items. You will not have a warranty for this product, so you will also have to repair and extend its performance yourself. Depending on a number of factors, the period of use will vary. Among the main parameters influencing the duration of operation are the following:

  • The quality of materials used during work.
  • Wire security and ability to withstand heavy loads.
  • The operating mode depends on the required technical parameters and the supplied voltage.
  • Careful use and timely troubleshooting.

Try changing the specifications and using different materials to compare and choose the best option.

Modern computer technology often has a lot functionality and is equipped to meet the most stringent user requirements. But this is only in a situation where a PC user has purchased one of the latest models and enjoys all the “benefits of civilization.” But this happens when you just need to use a microphone to transmit information, but it is either broken or simply not there. In principle, this is not a problem, because we know how to make a microphone from headphones, and in this article we will also help you deal with this pressing problem quickly and easily. We will also talk about how to make a microphone from scratch.

No soldering

In fact, you can buy such a device in advance if you plan to use a similar function when communicating via a PC. The device will be inexpensive. But if this is not your way, then we will now figure out how to make a microphone for a computer out of headphones. Moreover, this is a fairly simple process that will not take large quantities time and labor! So let's get down to business.

Instructions:

  • Plug your headphones into the pink jack. This jack is specifically for a microphone. Of course, it is wrong to plug headphones into the microphone jack, but we will try to use our headphones as a microphone.
  • Next, click “Start” - “Control Panel” - “Hardware and Sound”. In the sound section, find “Management” sound devices”, and then click on the “Record” section.
  • Then, in the “Recording” section, you should definitely see a device called “Microphone”.

Important! If this device missing, it means you did something wrong, try reading these instructions again, doing everything correctly.

  • Next, you make this device the “Default Device”. To do this, click once on the device, and then click on the “Default” button.
  • Then, in the “Use of device” column, pay attention to the “Use this device (on)” column.
  • Next, go to the “Levels” section and move the slider to the very end.

Important! In order to check the functionality of a microphone made from headphones, simply check the box where it says “Listen from this device.”

Important! Problems may arise during the connection and setup process. And so that you don’t have to spend a lot of time looking for solutions, we suggest that you immediately read or save the information from our articles:

Theoretical information about electret microphones

Today, electret microphones have almost completely replaced other microphone designs. This indicates that at a relatively low price they have a smooth frequency response, light weight and high reliability. If miniaturization is extremely necessary, then this property there are no equals to them.

An electret microphone is a classic condenser, one plate of which is made of a fairly thin layer of polyethylene film located on top of a ring. The film is subjected to a process of bombardment with a beam of free electrons, which penetrate short distance, due to which a spatial charge is released, which can remain sufficiently long time. This type of dielectric is called an electret, and it is for this reason that the microphone is called “Electret”. A thin layer of metal is also applied to the film, which is used as one of the electrodes.

Do-it-yourself electret microphone - manufacturing secrets

To work you will need:

  • Electret microphone capsule. By and large, it’s easy enough to get it out of an old Chinese tape recorder or an outdated landline telephone.

Important! The larger the capsule diameter, the greater the low frequency range.

  • A piece of flexible thin wire.
  • Regular 3.5 mm jack plug.
  • Plastic body from a syringe.
  • A small paper clip, as well as a piece of foam rubber.

So, let's begin the process of assembling a microphone for a PC with our own hands:

  1. Cut off a small amount of the syringe body from the side where the needle itself is attached (approximately around the 1 gram pointer) using a utility knife.
  2. Remove unnecessary markings from the surface of the syringe body with acetone or another solvent.
  3. Sand the cut edge with light grit sandpaper.
  4. Insert the shielded flexible wire into the hole and make a small knot.
  5. After this, solder the capsule so that the braid of the shielded cable is connected together with the metal case.
  6. Insert the capsule into the body, and then click the place where the needle was previously placed using the tab of a standard paper clip.
  7. On the second side of the flexible shielded wire, solder a 3.5 mm jack plug, with the right and left channels connected together.

By and large, the microphone is already completely ready, but let’s make another aesthetically important detail from foam rubber - a windproof cap:

  • Cut a square piece of foam using a knife.
  • Using absolutely any sharply sharpened tube, make a neat cylindrical depression by rotating the tip from the inner surface of the tube.

Important! Sections from used broken telescopic antennas, which you can sharpen with a scalpel, are excellent for these purposes.

On them you can not only dabble with voice search in Google (there are a lot of extensions for the Chrome browser for this, they are almost all the same, they use the same thing, but I found the most convenient extension “Voice search 2.02 - a microphone icon appears in all input forms by clicking on which can be said or dictated, or rather, for example, a search request like in the picture) but with speech recognition somehow, but still work.

I was not able to achieve any kind of reciprocity from Siri on Apple, to the extent that it could be “used” for something serious, after all, it is “imprisoned” by English language It has an effect, but I already know the addresses of the nearest dumpling shops. In any case, Google remains the leader in speech and voice recognition; it’s a pity that it is not yet possible to use it programmatically and in Russian.

So the main weak point of microphones is sensitivity, and then of course the price.

Here is an example of how you can get around these two restrictions for very little money, and if you have the details listed below, then for free, you can get a fairly sensitive homemade microphone. A photo of how to make it yourself, a description of how it works and microphone diagrams are below.

Made by me homemade microphone has high sensitivity and is able to perceive even the ticking of a clock at a distance of several meters. It also allows you to record high-quality sound using a computer. Recording quality also depends on the capabilities sound card V system unit. In the design of the microphone unit, components of worn-out electronics are used as much as possible.

An electret microphone can be taken from any old radio(as a last resort - from mobile phone). I used two microphones at once (+), which made it possible to significantly expand the directional pattern of sound perception. The signal from the microphones, amplified by the low-noise transistor VT1, is sent to operational amplifier DA1 (see drawing - microphone diagram). The amplifier output can be connected to regular headphones or feed it further to recording and signal processing devices (desktop computer, laptop, etc.).

Drawing 1. Microphone circuit

The microphone amplifier is powered from the battery of any old mobile phone. Its battery life lasts for tens of hours. You can use a free USB port on your computer to charge the battery. The amplifier can be left constantly plugged into the port, since the charging current is low. Wire with USB connector I took it from the mouse. The amplifier output connector used 03.5 mm, like for headphones, from any player, the volume control, too, and the rest of the parts, including the SA1 power switch, were any small-sized ones.

All components should be placed on a small fiberglass board (photo 1 - above). I glued a small piece of foam rubber onto the battery, and laid the board on top (photo 2). I tied it all together well with electrical tape and tried on the regulator knob (photo 3). Then, to eliminate interference and interference, such a “sandwich” was placed in a tin screen, which was soldered to the common wire (photo 4, 5).

Microphones need to be secured in a piece of dense, soft material. After that, I cut out a niche in a piece of foam rubber (which, for example, is used for washing a car) and inserted the entire block into it (photo b, 7), and put a fabric cover on top of it (photo 8). You only need to provide slots for the plug, switch and volume control.

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To assemble the sensitive microphone circuit we will need:

1. Transistor BC547 or KT3102, you can try KT315.
2. Resistors R1 and R2 with a nominal value of 1 kOhm. To increase the sensitivity of R1 for the capsule, rated from 0.5 - 10 kOhm.
4. Disc ceramic capacitor with a nominal value of 100-300 pF. It can be omitted if initially there are no “spikes” or excitations of the amplifier.
5. Electrolytic capacitor 5-100 µF (6.3 -16 V).

First of all, let's determine the polarity of connecting the microphone capsule. This is done simply: the minus is always connected to the body. Then we assemble the circuit, either by surface mounting or on a mini-board. All sensitivity preamp will depend on the gain of the transistor and the selected resistor R1. Usually the amplifier is assembled and works immediately; its sensitivity should be sufficient with a reserve.

The recording was made using a capsule without a preamplifier circuit.


The recording was made on a capsule from a pre-amplifier circuit.


The difference is visible to the naked eye. Now you don’t have to hang a microphone around your neck and shout into it. You can easily put it on the table and speak without any extra effort. Well, if the sensitivity turns out to be too high, then you can always reduce it without any problems using the settings in the operating system.

Microphone is a device that converts sound vibrations into electricity. In sound transmission, the microphone is the primary link in sound reception. A microphone is a useful device that can be used to communicate on the Internet, as well as to record voices or sounds (instruments, special effects). However, high quality microphones they cost a lot of money, and cheap ones will not be able to provide sufficient sensitivity and quality.

In this article we will tell you how to make a microphone suitable for daily use with your own hands.

What can you use a homemade microphone for?

Of course, making a condenser microphone for vocals or podcasts with your own hands is almost impossible - their design is too complex, which can become a hindrance for a person with little knowledge of electronics.

Electret microphones are much simpler in design and therefore more reliable. In addition, the small size and low cost of electret microphones allow them to be used almost everywhere where sound reception may be required.


Here is a simple way to make such a microphone with your own hands.

What will you need?

  • Electret capsule - it can be pulled out of the old one cell phone or radio;
  • Jack 3.5 plug for connecting a microphone to a computer;
  • Microphone body - a syringe cylinder works well;
  • Paper clip - for fixing the case and further attaching the microphone, for example, to clothing;
  • Thin wire - cut off a small section 1-1.5 meters long;
  • Black foam rubber - a small piece for protection from the wind.

Manufacturing procedure

To make it easier for you to navigate, look on the Internet for photos of a homemade microphone or a device for a standard electret microphone (“lapel”).

  • To make a microphone body, you need to cut off the tip from the syringe body with a knife. You can erase the markings on the syringe with a solvent;
  • Insert a wire through the cone of the syringe and tie a knot at its end to secure the microphone in the body;
  • Solder the electret capsule to the wire from the node side - connect the shielded braid to its body;
  • Install the capsule into the body, and secure the cone with the eye of a stationery clip;
  • Solder the second end of the wire to the plug, additionally connecting the left and right channels together;
  • Make a narrow round hole in a piece of foam rubber for the microphone. You can use a knife to cut off any excess corners - this will give you a decent windproof cap.

That's it, your homemade microphone is ready! You managed to create a sensitive measuring microphone with your own hands, which is also good for communication.

DIY microphone stand

As a rule, expensive and high-quality microphones are bought for serious work or a hobby, be it professional sound recording, broadcasting or hobby vocals.


In the vast majority of cases, for comfortable work and for maximum access to the sound source, you have to additionally purchase a special stand for such microphones. Now we will tell you how to make a tabletop microphone stand at home.

What will you need?

Lamp on a clamp - can be purchased at any electronics store. Attention: the mass of the lamp must match the mass of your microphone, otherwise the microphone on a weak clamp will easily fall under its own weight.

The holder depends on the type of microphone you have: for a dynamic microphone, the holder can be purchased at a price of 250 rubles, for a condenser (spider type) - at a price of 500 rubles.

It is possible to find and purchase an adapter for a microphone holder for easier installation on a clamp.

Manufacturing procedure

  • Cut and pull out the lamp wire;
  • Disassemble and remove the lamp shade;
  • Attach the microphone mount to the thread on the lamp pantograph - due to the mismatch of the thread, you will only be able to screw the microphone mount once;
  • Attach the microphone holder to the mount;
  • Place the microphone itself in the holder and secure the stand to the table.

Ready! Now you have a convenient, adjustable microphone stand that can be easily attached to your desk, and the clamp design allows you to screw a pop filter and other accessories to it.

DIY microphone photos