Build your own microphone

[JoshuaPhilgarlic]

Just found this. Didn't try it myself, but looks interesting .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj-wkw98j7Q

[Julibee]

'Scuze me... I gotta run out and buy some alligator clips.....

(That is super awesome, and I am SO doing it)

[ScuzzyEye]

Did you know you can also use a speaker as a microphone? They don't have amazing audio quality, and limited frequency response, but if you're looking for a unique and colored tone, they'll deliver that. No phantom voltage, just a pre-amp with enough gain is all that's needed.

[EnochLight]

Just found this. Didn't try it myself, but looks interesting .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yj-wkw98j7Q

That's bad ass - thanks for sharing!

[Julibee]

So, I/we made one... My son and his bestie were here after school today, and we started by folding origami boxes, since I didn't have a matchbox (well, I had ONE, but it was ancient and a keepsake, and too short). 

The one caveat I can give you is that it is a LOT harder to get a lead out of a pencil than they made it seem on the video. Pencil number four was the one that finally worked. The mess I made to prove it:

 


Here they are attaching the alligator clips [both of them are ginormous (and adorable) nerds that grew up with snap circuits and Evan is mastering his solder gun, so this was literally child's play]:



Verdict?  Hooked to cheap earbuds, tapping the box definitely produces an audible vibration.  Moving the graphite leads in the box makes you want to scream. In fact, my son DID. hahaha!

We couldn't tell if *speaking* into it made any sound at all, and I was super hopeful that it would... so I removed the earbuds and hooked it up to a mini plug to mini plug lead I had, added a 1/4" plug adapter to one end, crossed my fingers and plugged it into my Focusrite Scarlett. I then tried to capture it on a recording with an Edisonesque 'Watson, come here, I need you!". No dice. Cranked the gain... nope. Not a waver. Flatlined.

So, I guess I won't be using it on my next project, but it did give the boys something to do for an hour. About all I could have asked for, really. 

All in all, glad I tried.