I cannot find an eletret condenser microphone?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the difficulty of finding an electret condenser microphone for a specific electronics project, as outlined in an online guide. Participants share resources and suggestions for sourcing the microphone, while also discussing related technical details about microphone types and circuit requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in finding an electret condenser microphone at local electronics shops and seeks assistance in identifying suitable options.
  • Another participant suggests that any type of microphone could potentially work in the circuit and provides links to surplus suppliers for sourcing components.
  • A different participant recommends Halted Electronics as a local option for finding various electronic components, including microphones.
  • One participant provides a specific link to Sparkfun, indicating that they sell electret microphones and notes that these microphones include a built-in amplifier requiring a DC power supply.
  • There is a mention that using a different type of microphone, such as a dynamic microphone, would necessitate modifications to the circuit schematic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the availability of electret microphones from various suppliers, but there is no consensus on the necessity of using a specific type of microphone for the project, as some suggest alternatives.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the need for a DC power supply for electret microphones and the implications of using different types of microphones, but the discussion does not resolve the specifics of circuit modifications required for alternative microphone types.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electronics projects, particularly those involving microphones and audio circuits, may find this discussion helpful.

electricman12
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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!
 
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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...
 
electricman12 said:
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/

.
 
An electret microphone looks like this:

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.
 
thanks guys! those site really helped!

just ordered the mic off of sparkfun :)
 

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