Which microphones for boss micro br?
what are they?
The name is Plug-In Electret Microphone and they are a small type of Omnidirectional Condenser Microphones with an almost plain response to all frequencies, great sensitivity, a low operation noise and without the need to use +48V (Phantom Power).
They are very small and are frequently used in video cameras, computer microphones and mini-disc. But don't be iluded by their size, they can sound great (see for yourself below), especially on acoustic instruments, vocals, nature sounds, sound sources that aren't very powerful in general.
It's a type of microphone wich is cheaper to build than to buy ready to use and it is an excelent acquisition to record acoustic instruments, vocals and nature sounds. The total price of making one is about $10
In the interior they are made up by a small capsule which is the device that captures the sound, the microphone itself, see right photo.
They only work if you power it with 2.5 or more Volts. If you don't, they won't make a sound. BOSS offers those 2.5 Volts on the LINE IN of MICRO BR so we can use this small and portable Plug-in Electret Condenser Microphones with it, no use for other power source. The result is a portable multitrack recorder made with the guitarist in mind becoming an excellent field recorder. Because these microphones are so small you can make great designs that enable you to go outdoors with them and capture ambiences you can use on your songs or music experiences.
Note: Not all Electret Condenser Microphone Capsules sound good. Specs can vary a lot from capsule to capsule, after some search I've found that good ones are the Panasonic WM-61A (named Monacor MCE-2000 in Europe). But bear in mind that it is also possible to find some no-name brand on your local store that sound good too.
Sound Samples:
Mandolin and an Acoustic Guitar - Captured with a no-name capsule. All editing made on Micro BR.
Mandolin and an Acoustic Guitar 2 - Captured with a no-name capsule. All editing made on Micro BR.
SM58 vs WM-61A (Electret Capsule) - Comparison made by Jim Corliss on his site. This capsule costs $1.86. It's very little money for so much quality.
where can i find them?
If you just want to buy one already built there are several models in the market, for example: Sony ECM-DS70P
If you want to build a microphone yourself you can find the Panasonic WM-61A, in the USA, here for about $1.86 each. In Europe they are a bit more expensive but you can find them here for about €4 each. In Europe these capsules are also called Monacor MCE-2000.
How can i make one?
Materials needed:
- Solder Iron and Solder
- Two Electret Microphone Capsules, for example the WM-61A
- Glue gun
- Stereo 1/8 Male Jack to 1/8 Male Jack Cable
Total Price (excluding the tools): about $10
A Stereo Jack cable can be recognized by the two blue stripes. With one Jack Cable you can build two stereo microphones.
Once again it's recommended that you use Panasonic WM-61A capsules. They are probably the better capsule you'll find. But feel free to experiment and if you can share your results with the community.
This is an easy project, once you have all the materials in hand you'll finish it in 10 minutes or less. The most difficult part is solding the wires to the capsule.
Procedure:
- Cut the 1/4 Male Jack Cable in half. You will now have two cables equal to the one on photo 1. This cable is composed by two different wires "glued" to each other. Divide those two wires by 1 cm. Use a knife.
- Scrap those two wires. You will find another two wires, one with isolation and another with not. Scrap just a tiny bit out of the isolation of the ones that have it. You will then have something like photo 2 (except the isolated wires, which in the photo aren't scrapped).
- Now, as you see in picture number 3, there are two tips for contact on your capsules, the top one is connected to the outside of the capsule and the bottom one isn't. You will solder the bare wire to the upper one and the isolated to the bottom one. Your capsule may be different from this one. Just be sure to solder the bare wire one the tip that is in contact with the outside metal and the isolated wire with the tip that isn't. All capsules have these two tips. If your capsule has three, read the specifications to be sure. Note: Panasonic WM-61A has only two tips.
- After solding be sure that the two tips are not in touch with each other, it is very important. Test the Microphone in the MICRO BR by connecting it tho the LINE IN, choosing Input EXT, Utility and PlugInPower: ON. See if there is sound, record something, if the there is no sound recheck if the tips are not touching each other. If they aren't and it still isn't capturing, see that the INPUT is on EXT, if they are, resolder. If still it isn't capturing sound you probably fried the capsule when solding. Get another capsules and try again, at first it is really hard to solder such small tips, you will make it practice.
- If everything went well, glue the whole back of the capsule so the wires don't wabble and touch each other and nothing can touch the tips.
- Do the same thing but with other capsule.
- Protect the front side of your capsule with something
- If you can, register in the forum and share your results, show us pictures and sounds.
For more information:
How to build a Stereo Microphone and Battery Box - Excellent tutorial by Greenmachine.
DIY Stereo Mic Rigs with Panasonic WM-61A & Other Electret Capsules - Excelent site with lots of tutorials and designs with WM61A.
Simple Stereo Electret Microphone Preamplifier - Build your own preamplifier for using these mics in other inputs that don't provide the 2.5Volt (Plug-in Power).