Need some sort of signal boost for my capsule mic

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Edifier12

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Hi there!

I have recently purchased a detachable capsule mic that has a 3.5mm jack to it for everyday PC use, nothing serious. It is connected through I believe to be a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter to fit into my Asus Xonar Essence ST soundcard.

Now the problem I'm having is the Microphone is too quiet without software Microphone boost on, but with it on, it picks up literally every single thing around my room.

So I'm after some sort of Microphone preamp hardware solution or an audio interface, something cheap but can give my microphone adjustable boost with as little noise as possible.


Microphone capsule specs:

Pattern: Uni-directional
Sensitivity: -38 ± 3 dB
Response: 100 Hz–10 kHz
SNR: >50+ dB
Impedance: 2.2 KΩ
Operating Voltage: 1 to 10V
Max current at 2.0V: 500 µA
Max input SPL: 110 dB

Thanks guys!
 
The mic is doing what it was designed to do. You're not using the right *mic* much less the proper interface...
 
Massive Master said:
The mic is doing what it was designed to do. You're not using the right *mic* much less the proper interface...
Click to expand...

So are you saying I shouldn't bother trying to fix this current set up? There's always a solution right, which is what I'm after.
 
What are you aiming to record?
Computer soundcards aren't really built for quality and don't give you much by way of control.
 
Steenamaroo said:
What are you aiming to record?
Computer soundcards aren't really built for quality and don't give you much by way of control.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply! Yes it certainly doesn't, basically I'm mostly using it for voice chats, but people are complaining the amount of background noise the set up is currently picking up, would a simple mic preamp of sorts solve the solution of not over-boosting the signal?
 
No worries.
The main thing you can do, apart from actually removing noise sources, is reduce your distance from the mic.
Some mics like this better than others.

Now, the mic you have probably isn't ideal at all. Do you have a budget?
If you're semi serious I'd pick up a cheap 2 channel USB interface and a shure dynamic mic, or similar.
These interfaces are designed for what you're trying to do, whereas soundcards are designed to sound exactly like yours does. ;)

A mic like a 58 will happily let you get very close to it which means you're increasing the ratio of source level to background noise level, see?
It also means you can keep the interface gain down which should make any hiss less noticeable.
 
Oh thanks for that, yeah I think the reason why i chose this mic was because it's ability to just attach on to my sennheiser headphones, while being not expensive, so yeah I would say I wouldn't want to spend much because what I'm not really after a huge sound improvement, more or less something that be adjusted to drive this mic just right, not giving it too much gain.

I have thought about the Shure type mic approach, but too bad I have no real recording skills of any sort, it'll feel like such a waste...

Would a USB interface also benefit my course? Not sure if the 3.5mm connection of my current mic is a problem in itself since it's not XLR or anything like that.
 
I'd either get a decent mic and interface, or make do with what you have.
I think think there's much point in going half way.

Have you looked through the windows sound menus? Ok, your setup's not ideal, but there should be a gain control in there somewhere.
 
Steenamaroo said:
I'd either get a decent mic and interface, or make do with what you have.
I think think there's much point in going half way.

Have you looked through the windows sound menus? Ok, your setup's not ideal, but there should be a gain control in there somewhere.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I might have to re-look at the whole set up haha :P Thanks for the replies, and no unfortunately, with the sound card it's either microphone boost on or off, no gain meter to adjust how much, which is exactly what i needed unfortunately.
 
This is one of those rare occasions where a USB mic might not be a bad idea...

You want a decent rendition of what's going on but not necessarily (what most would consider) "studio quality" and a simple hookup of as little gear as possible.

The typical PC mic just isn't going to cut much of anything. They exaggerate noise and bad rooms, etc.

That said -- A bad space is a bad space -- An overly sensitive condenser is going to pick up everything. There are a few USB dynamics out there -- Rode's PodCaster comes to mind...
 
'King sure!
I posted a reply to this guy? Anyway it could have got lost Mods?

However, things are pretty manic here at "Chez ecc83" at the moment so it is quite possible I multiplied up!

I tend to agree John. A USB mic could be just the ticket for the OP in this particular case.

I have just bought and had a brief play with a "Pro-Sound" capacitor jobbie. £40.00 and remarkably well made. It is of the LDC type and comes with a wee but heavy base/stand and a decently long, 3.5mtr USB cable.

I have had little time to evaluate it but it seems to have a noise floor of about -60dBFS (that's a BLOODY good Dolby B cassette!) and speech at 1foot gives about neg 25dBFS.

I shall post more info'when I have the time.


Dave.
 
Massive Master said:
This is one of those rare occasions where a USB mic might not be a bad idea...

You want a decent rendition of what's going on but not necessarily (what most would consider) "studio quality" and a simple hookup of as little gear as possible.

The typical PC mic just isn't going to cut much of anything. They exaggerate noise and bad rooms, etc.

That said -- A bad space is a bad space -- An overly sensitive condenser is going to pick up everything. There are a few USB dynamics out there -- Rode's PodCaster comes to mind...
Click to expand...

Agreed. I understand some of them don't have gain controls. Keep an eye out for the ones which do.
 
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