Amplifier for electret microphone

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around designing an amplifier for an electret microphone using a unipolar power supply. Participants explore various amplifier configurations, components, and challenges related to achieving low noise and sufficient output voltage levels.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions using the LM386 amplifier but expresses the need for more gain and discusses the challenges faced with achieving desired output levels.
  • Another participant points out that electret microphones include an internal amplifier stage and suggests using a resistor and capacitor to complete the circuit for better signal output.
  • Some participants discuss the output swing capabilities of the LM386 and provide references to the datasheet, noting that it can drive up to about 7Vp-p with a 9V supply.
  • There are mentions of the importance of DC blocking capacitors and the need to avoid feeding DC into the amplifier inputs, with suggestions for biasing the microphone correctly.
  • Participants discuss the implications of capacitor size on the amplifier's frequency response, noting that larger capacitors can lower the corner frequency of the high-pass filter created by the input impedance.
  • One participant shares their experience with a dual op-amp setup that provided better gain and frequency response compared to a single supply configuration.
  • There is a discussion about the gain levels achieved with different setups, with some participants questioning whether the gain provided by the current configuration is sufficient for the electret microphone.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the design and functionality of the amplifier, with no clear consensus on the best approach or configuration. Disagreements exist regarding the effectiveness of different components and setups.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations related to their knowledge of amplifiers and the practical challenges of assembling circuits on a breadboard. There are unresolved questions about the specific gain requirements and the impact of different configurations on performance.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in audio electronics, amplifier design, and those working with electret microphones may find this discussion relevant.

  • #31
jim hardy said:
Okay so the 13V was probably more like 6.
It's the type meter that half-wave rectifies AC, then reports average multiplied by a scale factor. That's okay so long as we are aware of it.
DC multipled by that scale factor is more than the DC was. If you reverse the leads it'll probably read zero not peg downscale.
One must know his test equipment - just like people what it says isn't always what it meant..
That sounds like either an open spot in potentiometer near the end, or there's a small signal making us charge the capacitor.
Check pot with ohm-meter over full range of adjustment.

You are getting close i believe.

What are values of C1 and C2 now?

I may have not made this clear - opamps generally dislike large capacitive load because they can't deilver enough current to change the voltage across capacitor quickly (i = dv/dt)
so they can't make their feedback and burst into oscillation.
So we picked a speaker driver opamp with fairly hgh current drive.
That's why i am nudging for a smaller C1 & C2, with maybe a very few ohms in series with amp outout pin. 1uf C2, 1 meg pot, and 0.1uf C1 is what my intiution says would keep LM386happy in audio range. Give pin 5 wire a few turns around a ferrite donut (from junk PC power supply) perhaps.

old jim

ferrite donut

you mean, this?

http://pokit.org/get/9bb10dafa57c717930fa3f66b378c293.jpg

This is from an old motherboard.

This in an inductor right? If it is, this is my first use of inductors :D:DI will try the capacitors and get back to you, I got some trimmers laying around, so I think they will do.
 
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  • #32
That's a ferrite donut okay !
You could use a smaller one,
but objective is just to provide some impedance for high frequency between amplifier and those caps... that one would do and it's handy (if that's a junk supply - don't wreck a good one).
 
  • #33
Getting on to bedtime here - see you tomorrow

Have fun - I'm learning with you on this one.
I hope Yungman is watching, and will point out any errors of thinking.

old jim
 
  • #34
Dont give up !
 
  • #35
jim hardy said:
Dont give up !

Im not giving up :D I just had tons of math on my back. This a project for my soul, but my faculty still wants my soul too :D

I've been deriving some equations for entropy and all, I will get back on the project tomorrow probably.

Don't worry, I will keep you posted! I am probably 2h from finishing it, thanks to you of course.

[for some strange reason, didn't get the notice for your last post sorry :( ]
 

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