I cannot find an eletret condenser microphone?

[electricman12]

I am trying to follow a guide that I found online and it requires an eletret condenser microphone...which no one seems to carry (my electronics shop, Fry's Radio-shack).

I am still a started level guy so I really don't know what to look for when it comes to microphones so I was hoping one of you could identify it.

here is the guide along with the schematic.

http://www.electronicpeasant.com/projects/ledlamps/ledcolor.html



thank you!

[schip666!]

You could probably use any kind of mic in that circuit, but check my two favorite surplus suppliers:
http://www.allelectronics.com/
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/

ps...all those transistors in the schematic gave me a big headache...

[berkeman]

I am trying to follow a guide that I found online and it requires an eletret condenser microphone...which no one seems to carry (my electronics shop, Fry's Radio-shack).

I am still a started level guy so I really don't know what to look for when it comes to microphones so I was hoping one of you could identify it.

here is the guide along with the schematic.

http://www.electronicpeasant.com/projects/ledlamps/ledcolor.html



thank you!

You mention Fry's Electronics. Are you here in Silicon Valley?

If so, give Halted Electronics in Sunnyvale a call. They carry all kinds of new and surplus stuff:

http://www.halted.com/

.

[vk6kro]

An electret microphone looks like this:

http://static.sparkfun.com//images/products/08635-03-L_l_th.jpg

Sparkfun in Colorado have them for $0.95, plus shipping.

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8635

Most electronics stores should carry them.

Even this one:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062215
at 3 times the price. They call it a condenser microphone.

Note that all of these have a small amplifier built in. That is why they need a DC power supply via a resistor.

If you use another type of microphone, like a dynamic, you will need to remove the 4.7 K resistor above the microphone in the schematic.

[electricman12]

thanks guys!! those site really helped!

just ordered the mic off of sparkfun :)