Here is a collection of interesting videos on microphones and microphone technologies:
Audio 101: Microphones
Dynamic vs Condenser Microphones, What’s the Difference?
Audio recording tutorial: The different microphone types | lynda.com
XLR vs USB Microphones, Which Should You Buy?
$22 MICROPHONE VS $3600 MICROPHONE | Andrew Huang
Voice-over Microphone || DIY or Buy
How a Neumann U87 microphone is manufactured
How to Make Your Own DIY U87 Vintage Condenser Mic
Soyuz Video #3 Capsules
The Soyuz SU-019 FET Microphone
MKH-416 counterfeit mic teardown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdoeh7y0yeE
Disassembly – Taking apart the BM-100FX Microphone.
BEST Budget USB Microphone!? | FIFINE Honest Review
Why the Blue Yeti Sucks
Why the Blue Yeti Su cks | Pro Audio Engineer Responds
Do XLR to USB Cables Work?
Samson USB GO Mic Teardown
BM-800 Microphone Review / Teardown
Teardown of the Blue Yeti Microphone
Samson c01u usb microphone test + look inside
A quick teardown on the Samson Go Mic USB studio microphone for laptops and tablets
Samson C01U USB Mic Teardown (part of the article)
Random Teardown #001: Blue Snowball Ice Microphone
183 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
How to Make Your Own DIY U87 Vintage Condenser Mic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtNH46jpwJo
Neumann’s “holy grail” of workhorse condenser mics is now closer within reach than ever before, thanks to a capsule and body from http:///www.microphone-parts.com and circuit boards from Dany Bouchard (http://vintagemicrophonepcbkit.com).
DIYer Matthew Jenkins walks us through his build, employing parts from Cinemag (cinemag.biz) and Mouser.
For more info, including the cost and options for this project, check out the full post at
https://www.diyrecordingequipment.com/blogs/news/15851880-building-a-vintage-style-u87-mic-is-easier-and-cheaper-than-you-think-video
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Ultimate DIY Microphone (super low self-noise!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quuHV9pTyoo
In this video I’ll be showing, in overview, the design of my super-low-noise self-contained ORTF microphone rig. It features superb stereo, a built in recorder, triple shock mounting, and of course a noise floor that is so low that you can record the beat of ones own heartbeat in a quiet enough environment. Impressive to say the least!!!
Low Noise Balanced Microphone Preamp
http://sound.whsites.net/project66.htm
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Austin Ribbon Mic Blumlein Build and Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3mI59vJris
Microphone Kits: http://diyribbonmic.com/diykits/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Smartphone Mic Comparison – Best Sound for Your Buck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lxNJ1735ZY
I compare two camera/smartphone mics with that found in the iPhone 7 Plus, and a professional shotgun mic in order to help you decide which smartphone mic might make the most sense for you and your video prodution needs. If you’re a Vlogger or you want to create videos for sharing with your studentrs or fans, this short mic comparison should help you.
Best Microphones for Android, Windows and iPhone Filmmaking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2N7TJ9cM4M
A guide to the some of the best microphones you can add to your iPhone, android or Windows phone for filmmaking.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Shure MV88 iOS Condenser Mic Review / Test
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4kP5aRIcok
Comments:
Probably the best phone mic ever created, sounded really good, Shure has sure outdone themselves.
good video. i bought one but returned it since it won’t work with any
iphone or ipad in a case. although the sound was pretty good, I get much
better recordings out of my tascam digital handheld. in the end, it all
depends on what you want to do with it. I also found this mic to me a
little hollow-sounding and not too real or full. i’m picky. been into
film and audio engineering for years. great channel you have!
Tomi Engdahl says:
HOW TO MAKE A PROFETIONAL YOUTUBE MICROPHONE FOR INTERVIEWS [DIY]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LsrlTwm4a4
Tomi Engdahl says:
DIY Microphone Amplifier for Shotgun Microphones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9Q_XnvTxa4
One of the biggest problem that i encountered during video production is bad audio. Audio makes 50% of the video. When a video have a bad audio, even with a greath content, it is very difficult to watch. I have a shotgun mic that works pretty well except for the signal intensity. It is pretty weak and my camera doesn’t offer a good audio preamplifier. So i decided to make my own, external and directly connected to the microphone. The idea is to get a 20dB boost, with a variable volume, sharing the same battery and controlling everything with just one switch.
Circuit diagram
http://bit.ly/2lfVXjm
Tomi Engdahl says:
Great $23 Budget Preamp for Video Shooters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5nOkyiu3qQ
Today we look at using the Saramonic SmartRig XLR preamp with video cameras. This cheap $23 preamp is very impressive and offers 48v phantom power and level control with a knob.
hack video for this preamp here:
Hacking the $23 Saramonic Preamp For Video Use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=997z3f0Vzho
It still seems crazy to me that the preamp in a 23$ accessory is better than the internal preamps in most dslrs. Like seriously guys, get it together. Amazing video Caleb, love seeing you mod stuff.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://www.thomann.de/fi/onlineexpert_page_large_diaphragm_microphones_large_and_small_diaphragms.html
Diaphragm size plays an important part in directivity. Large diaphragm mics become more directional at higher frequencies. This means that on-axis sources appear brighter than sound coming from the sides (off-axis). Also, impulse response on large diaphragm mics is not quite as excellent as on small diaphragm mics, because the diaphragm mass is slightly heavier. But that’s just a generalisation. Impulse response on LD condensers is still more than sufficient.
Large diaphragm mics, however, do have one advantage over small diaphragm mics that’s relevant in many recording situations: Large diaphragm mics have a better signal-to-noise ratio. A larger diaphragm produces a stronger signal while the amplifier noise remains the same. A louder signal above the same noise floor means better signal-to-noise ratio.
Bottom line: small diaphragm mics perform better than large diaphragm mics in many disciplines, but large diaphragm mics have one advantage – low noise – that outweighs other factors in many situations.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Altoids USB Condenser Microphone
https://www.instructables.com/id/USB-Microphone/
Record quality audio at home with a Homebrew USB Condenser Mic! This week, we are hacking a tiny little gadget, the USB soundcard, and turn into a studio quality microphone. It’s a microphone that carries the whole package, it has a shock-mount, pop filter, preamp and an internal DAC.
The project was housed on a Retro Altoids container. Its cardioid pickup pattern, smooth frequency response and 16-bit, 44.1/48kHz resolution give you professional audio results no matter what you’re recording.
Why Make a USB microphone?
USB microphones are made for easy, plug-and-play use. They’re fantastic for podcasters, musicians, voice actors, audio students, tech-reviewers and people who just want something better than the microphone built into their laptop. If you don’t have a USB mic, you might want to try a Homebrew version before you buy one! Don’t worry, the project fits on a $10 budget! DIY is the most rewarding thing to do!
Tomi Engdahl says:
Can I parallel microphones into one input of my mixer?
http://www.shure.com/americas/support/find-an-answer/can-i-parallel-microphones-into-one-input-of-my-mixer
Wiring Microphones in Parallel
Connecting microphones in parallel allows more than one microphone to be connected to the same microphone input of a mixer. This reduces the cost and complexity of the sound system, since fewer mixers and microphone-to-mixer cables are required. There are tradeoffs, however
It is not possible to adjust the level of one individual microphone.
Only dynamic microphones may be used.
In Push-to-Talk applications, the switches on the microphones must be of the Normally Open type
If two or more mics are activated at the same time, the output level of each mic will be less than if only one mic is activated.
Tomi Engdahl says:
THE CHEAPEST MIC IN THE WORLD!?!?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOd44kDk0K4
This video tests 22 dollars microphone BM-800
Comments:
It seems that there isn‘t really awful stuff on the market nowadays, you just have to figure out how to use it and get the best results possible
I listened to this on my studio monitors – as I do with most of your videos. I also have subs connected. The most glaring difference I noticed is the cheap mics roll off bottom end. The U47s have a much wider dynamic range. So I would say if you’re recording low end, give these a skip… Otherwise generally I thought they sounded alright. You can’t beat the price!
Tomi Engdahl says:
How The Microphone Changed The Way We Sing – Cheddar Explains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gXOQ39xWz8
Ever wonder why some old songs sound outdated and others sound like timeless classics? Cheddar explains how the invention of the microphone changed the way vocalists sang love songs.
From video comments:
Josh Turner Guitar
Excellent and very engaging video. A few notes, for what it’s worth:
Early, pre-microphone recordings were done on wax cylinders, which predated the disk shaped record.
On Frank’s mic technique: part of what made it so great was his use of proximity and axis not only for the control of sibilance and plosives, but also minute control of volume, allowing him to bellow one phrase and whisper the next with equal intelligibility. He also used proximity effect to his advantage, the tendency of microphones to build up low frequencies when a sound source is closer, which gave his voice a warmer quality in those whisper like passages. AND, finally, it might be worth mentioning the next huge leap forward in technology – the Neumann U47 condenser mic with which frank is pictured many times here. It is vastly more sensitive and has a wider frequency response then all of its ribbon contemporaries, and would have allowed him to tailor his performances that much more. (Although, as a side note, “Always” would still have been recorded on a ribbon). Hope this is interesting/helpful!
Tomi Engdahl says:
A new cheap microphone – wonder if it’s any good?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd4S8Bg42Cg
In my ongoing quest to make my videos easier to watch, I got myself yet another cheap microphone to try out.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How a recording-studio mishap shaped ’80s music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxz6jShW-3E
Warning: This is an unapologetic ode to gated reverb drums
Tomi Engdahl says:
$22 MICROPHONE VS $3600 MICROPHONE | Andrew Huang
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMiuElvxEFw
Tomi Engdahl says:
BM 800 Condenser Mic vs Audio Technica AT2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zomZsBSUNwg
This is a demo between a budget condenser Mic (BM800) and a fairly priced Audio Technica AT2020
Signal chain:
Microphone — XLR cable — Scarlett Focusrite 2i2 with Phantom Power ON —- USB 3.0 into a Mac Mini
Comments:
at2020 is litle bit better to talk, but bm 800 get a better sound on singing
definitely not! the bm 800 might sound better dry but thats just the microphone slightly distorting due to noise. imagine trying to do louder forms of singing into it, would be a nightmare. you can get the exact same effect on the at2020 with some distortion or a tube saturator and it’ll actually be a better and more pleasant distortion.
Tomi Engdahl says:
BM-800 microphone low noise hack
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lpQ0BpjUtg
How to reduce the background hiss on the BM-800/BM-700/etc microphone. Includes measurements.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Inside the Floureon BM-800 Microphone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1supPpairw
Dismantling of the Floureon BM-800 Microphone.
Comments:
This mic does require 48 volts phantom power. If you do some simple research, you will find out what the circuit board actually does. It will not blow up using a 48 volt phantom power supply. It will actually work at optimal performance.
It is nothing but simple small condensor mic of rupees 10 in india. With small amplifier circuit.
Great video Joeteck. Now I’m wondering if ALL the mics like this one (and there are a lot on the market that look exactly the same) are built the exact same way?
I no longer use this because the quality is just not there. Overdrives like mad, regardless of the mixer settings.
I bet they are all made in same factory w/different names it’s obvious they are the same mics.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microphone electronics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L3nLGIx3BA
Microphone electronics theory tutorial for project and home recording studio owners
Comments:
Even if your ribbon mic has a low output, you may get sufficient level into a mic pre, which doesn’t have a ribbon mode, simply by close mic’ing, or when you are recording a loud source (eg guitar cab). If the noise level is acceptable and you like the sound, use it. We’re not familiar with the Cloudlifter but because the low level at the mic pre is due to impedance problems, you would need to be sure that the Cloudlifter is addressing this issue and not just amplifying the signal from the ribbon. Although many ribbon mic’s don’t need phantom power, and some may be damaged by it if it is engaged when the the mic is connected/unconnected, it is recommended to check and take care. However, many new ribbon mic’s have active electronics which require power and protect the motor from damage.
Microphone types
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INFUjFJUWBg
A theory video tutorial for project and home recording studios owners
Tomi Engdahl says:
BM-800 Microphone Review – BM-800 With and Without Phantom Power Test – Budget Buys Ep. 21
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAwDNn2Fumc
Today I take a look at one of the most common beginner microphones on the market, the BM-800.
Once again, I break out the audio spectrum analyzer to test the quality of this mic, and this time I actually test it in two different configurations. The BM-800 can be used both with and without phantom power, and the difference between the two setups are like night and day. Also, keep in mind that I have done no post processing other than volume adjustments where necessary, so this video should give you a really good idea of the quality you can expect out of the BM-800.
How to use BM 800 Condenser Microphone without phantom power + How to edit BM 800 audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUddSSjYttM
Comments:
you are still using phantom power to power the microphone. the 4v the soundcard gives off is enough to power the bm800. it is impossible to use a condenser microphone without phantom power.
Yes it does work even only with a soundcard but it will not give you the maximum capability of the condenser microphone. Try replacing your USB soundcard with any audio interface if you want to use your microphone to its maximum capability
Tomi Engdahl says:
EEVblog #602 – Introduction to Microphones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihAG6cMpUlY
In the first of a series of videos tutorials on microphones, Doug Ford, former head designer at Rode Microphones explains the basics of how microphones work, the different types – carbon, dynamic, ribbon, condensor/electret, and how the omnidirectional pattern works.
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-602-introduction-to-microphones/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Microphone Reality Check – DIY VS PRO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGlGHzeesm0
Making A Low Cost Microphone
https://ibuildit.ca/projects/low-cost-microphone/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Ultimate DIY Microphone (super low self-noise!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quuHV9pTyoo
In this video I’ll be showing you how I made a portable studio microphone that has an extremely low self noise and a wonderful stereo soundscape.
In this video I’ll be showing, in overview, the design of my super-low-noise self-contained ORTF microphone rig. It features superb stereo, a built in recorder, triple shock mounting, and of course a noise floor that is so low that you can record the beat of ones own heartbeat in a quiet enough environment. Impressive to say the least!!!
Here’s the preamp schematic:
http://sound.whsites.net/project66.htm
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Make a DIY Ribbon Mic!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tWbwcS_9sA
Tomi Engdahl says:
The High-End Recording Microphone That Time Forgot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LaygteiUCg
In which I explore the musical usage of a vintage Brüel & Kjaer 2204 Sound Level Meter to astonishing results.
As a thrifty musician, searching through classifieds for obscure gear has become second nature. Oftentimes I stumble upon weird things I buy on chance and see if they can be used in music. This is probably my best find of the them all: the Brüel & Kjaer 2204 Sound Level Meter is after some headscratching now the best mic in my already not too shabby collection, as well as a beautiful bandpass filter and overdrive. If you have similar finds, do share them in the comments!
Tomi Engdahl says:
What Is the Difference Between Electret Condenser and “True Condenser” Microphones?
https://www.neumann.com/homestudio/en/what-is-the-difference-between-electret-condenser-and-true-condenser-microphones
Studio microphones are often advertised as “true condensers”. What does that mean, and is there such a thing as “false” condenser microphones?
There are two ways to apply this electric charge. The traditional way is to polarize the capsule with an external voltage. In studio applications, that’s no problem. The standard powering system is P48 Phantom power, which delivers 48 volts – enough to polarize the capsule, although many modern condenser mics contain voltage converters for even higher voltages (usually 60-80 volts).
Another polarization method is to “freeze” an electric charge permanently in the capsule. This is done by applying a special substance called “electret”.
Good sound is not simply the result of a particular polarization scheme. Superior sound quality comes with great engineering and high attention to detail in manufacture.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Installing a large diaphragm capsule in an electret mic?
https://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=68985.0
I saw some comments on YouTube from somebody saying they put a 34mm capsule in a BM-800 microphone (on of the cheap Chinese OEM electret ones, not the iSK ones) and properly polarized it by adding some capacitors and resistors to the stock PCB. Is there any recorded mods for this
You mean like this? https://groupdiy.com/index.php?topic=61845.msg783516#msg783516
Or like this?
http://khronscave.blogspot.com/2017/05/cheap-chinese-bm800-microphone-modding.html
http://khronscave.blogspot.com/2017/10/16-bm800-modding-part-2-ck12-k47.html
I fitted a 34mm capsule into a BM800 body and added a voltage multiplier to bias it, using stripboard and my own circuit (pretty standard though….. Schoeps circuit from here: http://www.sdiy.org/oid/mics/Schoeps.gif and voltage multiplier ideas from here: http://www.gyraf.dk/schematics/Voltage_multipliers_with_CMOS_gates.pdf )
Pictures and circuit schematic here: http://www.jp137.com/lts/LDCX2.notes.pdf
The rubber sleeving on the frame edges helps to dampen the resonances in the sleeve – it’s a pretty tight fit!
Tomi Engdahl says:
EEVblog #1199 – Samson C01U USB Microphone Teardown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YITrlQcKGPw
Dave’s Samson C01U USB Microphone got caught up in the flood, let’s take a look inside.
Tomi Engdahl says:
How To Sing With A Mic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faYp3AtCEuU
What Makes a Singer Sound “Good”? Why Doesn’t Your Voice Sound The Way You Want It To?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8eLXQMSrU
Tomi Engdahl says:
Tiny Microphone Versus Pro Studio!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeeF0cmg-ME
Tomi Engdahl says:
How The Microphone Changed The Way We Sing – Cheddar Explains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gXOQ39xWz8
Ever wonder why some old songs sound outdated and others sound like timeless classics? Cheddar explains how the invention of the microphone changed the way vocalists sang love songs.
Comments:
Excellent and very engaging video. A few notes, for what it’s worth:
Early, pre-microphone recordings were done on wax cylinders, which predated the disk shaped record.
On Frank’s mic technique: part of what made it so great was his use of proximity and axis not only for the control of sibilance and plosives, but also minute control of volume, allowing him to bellow one phrase and whisper the next with equal intelligibility. He also used proximity effect to his advantage, the tendency of microphones to build up low frequencies when a sound source is closer, which gave his voice a warmer quality in those whisper like passages. AND, finally, it might be worth mentioning the next huge leap forward in technology – the Neumann U47 condenser mic with which frank is pictured many times here. It is vastly more sensitive and has a wider frequency response then all of its ribbon contemporaries, and would have allowed him to tailor his performances that much more. (Although, as a side note, “Always” would still have been recorded on a ribbon). Hope this is interesting/helpful!
Tomi Engdahl says:
How a recording-studio mishap shaped ’80s music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxz6jShW-3E
Warning: This is an unapologetic ode to gated reverb drums
Over the past few years a general nostalgia for the 1980s has infiltrated music, film, and television. I deeply love those gated reverb drums of the ’80s – you know that punchy percussive sound popularized by Phil Collins and Prince? So for my second episode of Vox Pop’s Earworm I spoke with two Berklee College of Music professors, Susan Rogers and Prince Charles Alexander, to figure out just how that sound came to be, what makes it so damn punchy, and why it’s back.