Mics and Vocoders

[KingVidiot]

I'm trying to use a standard headset mic and headphone combo with a few devices with a mic input. The Microkorg has a dedicated plug-n-power miniplug like Sony Walkmans which works great, by my Micron and a few other things only seem to work with a dynamic mic.

 

I tried a basic phantom power unit with some adapters and no luck. How the hell do I get a condenser mic like that to work with those connections?

[ElectricPuppy]

 

condenser mic

 

 

Preamp.

[KingVidiot]

It's not low, just not powered. I thought all electret condensers (and others) need power, and that certain devices provide the power and input at the same jack (like Sony's plug-n-power).

 

A pre-amp alone would boost nothing in this case right? If the mic has no juice then it can't submit the input signal. Isn't that why all handheld condenser mics that I've seen that weren't "XLR phantom powered" needed a battery in the handle?

[ElectricPuppy]

Ah. No, you're right, electret mics need power, but you said "condenser", and that threw me.

[KingVidiot]

Cool, so how do I do it? It must be fairly simple.

[urbanscallywag]

I think headset type electret use a lot lower voltage than phantom power. Maybe 5V would be better. Use a 10uF capacitor between the Micron and the mic and add a 5V supply through a 2.2kohm resistor on the mic side of the capacitor. Or google powering electret.