DIY microphones Where do i start

[kip4]

Just for the fun of it I'd like to make some of my own mics. Dynamic
just some mini ones i think
i'd appreciate some input on what kind of capsules i should get.
and where might i find shematics and xformers.
thanks

[moresound]

Try making a microphone out of an old speaker Kip! Like the Yamaha sub kick - very easy to do. There are a few threads floating around here on making them with pictures and everything.

[Steenamaroo]

Are you just looking a bit of fun or do you want a usable mic too?

I made a ribbon mic the other day out of pure boredom.
Obviously it completely sucks but it was fun

Hard drive magnets and tin foil all the way.

[Blue Jinn]

What's your goal? You can make a Gyraf G7 from scratch with a piece of brass pipe, mesh, capsule (ranging from US$100-400) etc etc. You can make an electret mic inside an XLR jack. You can get a kit from Aurycle.com. US$70-170. These are all condensers though, but at various levels of effort and price. Google e.g. "alice mic" "gyraf g7" "ioaudio mk47"

Google is your friend for schematics.

[kip4]

Thanks guys for the contributions great stuff and plenty to think about.
I was thinking of making something along the lines of the shotgun shell mics. Compact and maybe not to many componants for a start.
Building knowledge as i go refining the design and yes i'd like to make something usable.
I havent ruled out ribbon mics maybe even using ebay condensor mic bodys found cheap. Prime candidates for modding. maybe something like the behringer c1 body gutted and slap a homemade ribbon assembly in it. I'm looking for ideas as well.
This could be a nice long term project and yes maybe one day a modded kit build too. When i've come to terms with the terminolgy and have a better understanding of the potential of differing componants effect on the mics.

[moresound]

At first you'll be saying smeg - a lot!

[kip4]

Yep I reckon your right moresound. I'll be making a right Dwayne Dibbley of myself.
No doubt burning out more componants with the iron than the project is worth but hay whats a few squids in the name of learning.
I've been making stuff since i was a kid. Not electronic i hasten to add.
It would have been if i'd had it my way.
I grew up watching my radio operator sailor dad making crystal radio sets using only a small bag of tools (even the bag was made by him out of sail material lol)
I wanted to follow in his footstep but unfortunately at 14 in my interview to join the services i discovered I'm colour blind and that was a now go so i became a cabinet maker instead.
My ambition to make electronic stuff still burn bright though and this may well set me on my way. After all what can go wrong ? Says the old man who have never even tried to bend a resistor into shape without breaking.

[moresound]

You'll soon figure out what side of the soldering iron to hold then you'll become an Ace Rimmer!

[kip4]

I found the stuff you were talikn about guys really easily here

D.I.Y. Recording Equipment - DIY Microphones, Preamps, Compressors, etc.

just the kind of thing i was looking for. love the prespex ribbon assembly and the jack plug omni mics.
I'll get some help from my engineer brother in law and the sparky at work says he'll advise me too.

I was off work sick last week and took some time out to research the RTV silicone modders use in mics. it took me hours to discover that basically it's an engineering grade silicone, heat resistant and non corrohsive a bit like the stuff used in gasket sealant. What a dissapointment given the amout of hours it took me to find that out. I'm slow guys but i get there in the end.

[kip4]

My solderings not bad at all. I couldnt do one of this op amp things with more legs than a cattapillar but i reckon i can cope with the kind of things found in mics. He says boldly.