Testing one... two...

Here's what I've been up to lately. I've taken a fancy to record things! Be that nature sounds or musicians (hear that kiddo). My budget for the venture is close to nil. I did buy a USB analog to digital converter so I can put whatever I record on the computer and manipulate it. It wasn't expensive but microphones (good ones) are bloody expensive. So, ever the fountain of knowledge I consulted the 'net to see what others had done. Order (free samples) integrated circuit chips (INA217) from Texas instruments to build microphone pre-amps. Done. Dumpster dive the Videotron dumpster for good quality shielded cable. Done. Scrounge bits of pipe and stainless screening from the shop. Done.

So far so good, not a penny spent on the microphones! I broke down and ordered 5 microphone capsules from Digi-key. At 2.72$ each they didn't break the bank! They're the tiny black things on the penny in the pictures. WM-55A103 Panasonic cardioid microphone cartridges if anyone is interested. I intend to modify them using the Linkwitz mod so that they are closer to professional standards.

The top photo shows a stereo pair I'm building. One is assembled and one is in pieces so you can see all the little parts spread out. The bottom one is much bigger and it will be a variable polar response microphone with a proper shock mount and everything! They're not done yet. The stereo pair is all stainless and aluminum so I'll leave them in the sandblasted state. The big one's main tube is just plain steel so I'll have to paint it or else it'll rust. I think it will look nice what with a black body and the shiny aluminum end caps.

It's funky to look at what the camera did to the screening!