Zapp Brannigan
New member
Hi,
I'm trying to copy the Zildjian GEN16 AE cymbal system. They are using something they are calling a 'direct source pickup' to amplify low volume cymbals. With this system you get true electric cymbals (instead of a trigger - sample system).
I think the 'direct source pickup' is an electret microphone configured to work like a contact microphone. So I tried making an electret contact microphone by attaching an electret to a flathead bolt with epoxy putty (see pic).
I hooked this up with a 50kOhm logarithmic potentiometer to a VM114 7W audio amplifier (velleman). For now, I'm powering the mic and the amp with a 9V battery (I could get a low noise audio power supply in the future). The contact mic is bolted trough a hole I made in an old sabian solar 16" ride (not a great sounding cymbal to begin with!).
I used the schematic in the attachment. But instead of a 10k resistor for the electret, I used a 1M resistor and I switched the capacitor for a 1000µF capacitor (it seemed to give les distortion). I also attached an small sound sample, doesn't sound that bad, but it could be better (the sound is only contact sound, there is no ambient sound picked up, which is great).
So my questions:
Thanks in advance, I'm a bit of a microphone noob, but it's an interesting project!
I'm trying to copy the Zildjian GEN16 AE cymbal system. They are using something they are calling a 'direct source pickup' to amplify low volume cymbals. With this system you get true electric cymbals (instead of a trigger - sample system).
I think the 'direct source pickup' is an electret microphone configured to work like a contact microphone. So I tried making an electret contact microphone by attaching an electret to a flathead bolt with epoxy putty (see pic).
I hooked this up with a 50kOhm logarithmic potentiometer to a VM114 7W audio amplifier (velleman). For now, I'm powering the mic and the amp with a 9V battery (I could get a low noise audio power supply in the future). The contact mic is bolted trough a hole I made in an old sabian solar 16" ride (not a great sounding cymbal to begin with!).
I used the schematic in the attachment. But instead of a 10k resistor for the electret, I used a 1M resistor and I switched the capacitor for a 1000µF capacitor (it seemed to give les distortion). I also attached an small sound sample, doesn't sound that bad, but it could be better (the sound is only contact sound, there is no ambient sound picked up, which is great).
So my questions:
- Does anyone agree that the 'direct source pickup' is in fact an electret mic hooked up to a preamp?
- Any ideas on how to improve the sound?
- Do I need another amp for the electret microphone?
- I'm using a cheap electret cartridge, would it be a good idea to use a 'back' electret microphone cartridge? Any advice on which one to use?
- Am I using the right circuit for the electret?
Thanks in advance, I'm a bit of a microphone noob, but it's an interesting project!