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Computer mic to "real" preamp

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Anonymous   04-28-2005 at 05:49:38 PM

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector. Is there a
simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp? Building custom
cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling power from my computer) I
don't know of a way to get the 5V into the mic.

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Anonymous   04-28-2005 at 05:49:39 PM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

In article <Xns96464FA161D03gulfjoehotmailcom@207.69.189.191>,
Carey Carlan <gulfjoe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector. Is there a
>simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp? Building custom
>cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling power from my computer) I
>don't know of a way to get the 5V into the mic.

try this:


+ 9V (from 9V battery)
|
|
\
/
\ 2.2K ohm
/
\
|
|
mic T----+-------||---------T
10 uF output
S----+------------------S
|
|
|
battery gnd
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   04-28-2005 at 05:49:40 PM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Carey Carlan wrote:
>I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector.
> Is there a simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp?
> Building custom cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling
> power from my computer) I don't know of a way to get the 5V
> into the mic.

If it is a 2-pole connector, then Scott Dorsey's circuit is
the one you need. However many "computer mics" use
3-pole connectors and dedicate the ring of the stereo
mini-phone connector to the 5v bias.
Complete discussion here....
http://www.epanorama.net/links/pc_ [...] nterfacing
http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/ [...] #soundcard

A couple days ago a fellow emailed me about a circuit to use
his "plug-in-power" mics with regulation 48V phantom
power balanced XLR inputs on his new camcorder. I suggested
a variation of Rick Chinn's P48 to T12 converter circuit...
http://www.uneeda-audio.com/phantom/p48t122.jpg
(with 5v zener, -audio cap to ground, and 2-3K bias resistor.)

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Anonymous   04-29-2005 at 08:45:45 AM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Carey Carlan wrote:

> I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector. Is there a
> simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp? Building custom
> cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling power from my computer) I
> don't know of a way to get the 5V into the mic.

Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic* to a decent
pre-amp ?

Just asking.


Graham

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   04-29-2005 at 08:45:46 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:427191C9.F5F69B93@hotmail.com:

> Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic* to a
> decent pre-amp ?

Variety. To get that nasty computer mic sound without succumbing to the
nasty noise created by the ugly computer sound card.

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   04-29-2005 at 11:16:20 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Carey Carlan wrote:

> Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:427191C9.F5F69B93@hotmail.com:
>
> > Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic* to a
> > decent pre-amp ?
>
> Variety. To get that nasty computer mic sound without succumbing to the
> nasty noise created by the ugly computer sound card.

Ok !

Graham

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   04-29-2005 at 08:45:46 AM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

"Pooh Bear" wrote ...
> Carey Carlan wrote:
>
> > I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector. Is there
a
> > simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp? Building custom
> > cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling power from my computer)
I
> > don't know of a way to get the 5V into the mic.
>
> Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic*
> to a decent pre-amp ?

You might need a "throw-away" mic for certain things. The guys over on
r.a.m.p.s talk about keeping an old beater dynamic in their it for capturing
things like gunshots, etc.

The guy that emailed me wanted to use his existing consumer stereo
mics with his new XLR-equipped camcorder because now he can't
afford new mics until he recovers from paying for the camcorder. :-)

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   04-29-2005 at 08:45:46 AM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Pooh Bear wrote:
> Carey Carlan wrote:
>
>
>>I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector. Is there a
>>simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp? Building custom
>>cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling power from my computer) I
>>don't know of a way to get the 5V into the mic.
>
>
> Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic* to a decent
> pre-amp ?

You'd be surprised how accurate these little electret
condensers actually are if you give their signal a good
chance to get recorded. They are relatively noisy, as are
all very small condensers, and there may be a broad presence
bump in the upper mids but their responses tend to be
exceptionally smooth.


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   04-29-2005 at 02:57:40 PM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

In article <Xns9646DFF39B1D7gulfjoehotmailcom@207.69.189.191>,
Carey Carlan <gulfjoe@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Pooh Bear <rabbitsfriendsandrelations@hotmail.com> wrote in
>news:427191C9.F5F69B93@hotmail.com:
>
>> Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic* to a
>> decent pre-amp ?
>
>Variety. To get that nasty computer mic sound without succumbing to the
>nasty noise created by the ugly computer sound card.

But the noise is half the fun! Also the preamp overload effects!

I still think communications mikes are more fun, though.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   05-01-2005 at 05:01:33 AM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Bob Cain wrote:

> Pooh Bear wrote:
> > Carey Carlan wrote:
> >
> >
> >>I have a little computer mic that expects 5V on the connector. Is there a
> >>simple way to connect this directly to a decent preamp? Building custom
> >>cables is not a problem, but (aside from pulling power from my computer) I
> >>don't know of a way to get the 5V into the mic.
> >
> >
> > Why would you want to connect a cheap and nasty *computer mic* to a decent
> > pre-amp ?
>
> You'd be surprised how accurate these little electret
> condensers actually are if you give their signal a good
> chance to get recorded. They are relatively noisy, as are
> all very small condensers, and there may be a broad presence
> bump in the upper mids but their responses tend to be
> exceptionally smooth.

Indeed, electrets tend to be pretty decent overall.

The application puzzled me though.

Graham

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   05-03-2005 at 04:04:57 PM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Bob Cain wrote:

> You'd be surprised how accurate these little electret
> condensers actually are if you give their signal a good
> chance to get recorded.

Who is surprised?

Letsee, how about a Chinese clone of a Pansonic WM64?

http://www.panasonic.com/industria [...] mn_dne.pdf

> They are relatively noisy, as are
> all very small condensers, and there may be a broad
presence
> bump in the upper mids but their responses tend to be
> exceptionally smooth.

It seems like it is hard for really small mics to be
anything but smooth.

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   05-04-2005 at 06:22:37 AM
- 0 +

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Carey Carlan wrote:

> Therefore, I want to know how to power the mic from a standard preamp.

Near the end of this page there are several increasingly
complicated and better performing circuits using standard
phantom:

http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/ [...] ering.html


Bob
--

"Things should be described as simply as possible, but no
simpler."

A. Einstein

Reply to Anonymous
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