You might decide that you want an external supply for your opamp mic, but an external supply for a solid-state microphone could be a tough sell.
He did say USB, which IIRC provides a lot more power than 48V phantom would. Of course, USB mics are notoriously train wrecks with crappy converters and no useful way of using more than one at a time, which pretty much shoots that idea in the head for most people, but....
I don't know about ultimate. But I would not attempt to recreate designs of the past. That's not because those aren't great designs, but within say ten years or so there will be no more extra functional VF14s, no?
So I'd have to start with a tube in production, which is a huge barrier, since most of those types are not ideal and NOS versions are better. I don't really get why there are still tons of NOS tubes available, but anyway.
He did say USB, which IIRC provides a lot more power than 48V phantom would. Of course, USB mics are notoriously train wrecks with crappy converters and no useful way of using more than one at a time, which pretty much shoots that idea in the head for most people, but....
As an aside, you know there is actually little difference between a USB interface and a USB mic. In fact, if you open them up, you might even find they are using the same IC. That means a USB mic probably has the capability to be stereo input and stereo output, just that those pins on the converter IC would not be connected.
Phil: some years ago here I remember somebody built an analog optical mic with a 5" (!) diaphragm. Interesting project. That wasn't you, was it?
Got any good books on capsule design? Any resources at all?
Somebody does rectangular capsules
I am afraid, not. You see, it is easy to clone, but to design a good capsule is a very long, time consuming, and frustrating process of hard work. Those who figured things out (incl. myself) are not in a rush to give those secrets away that easily, or publish in a book.
For example, to figure out my 3 chamber MXL603 capsule design took me about a year of intense work.
I am afraid, here you are whether on your own, or else might consider licensing it.
Best, M
P.S. Just send that capsule whenever you can.
I also have an idea for an LDC optical mic, straight to digital, but that's for another topic.