I really would like more details on that Microphone build! That would be an amazing thing to make, especially with the wireless sender and receiver because I could just hook it up to a battery bank or something similar.
@marcdraco omg thanks, that took me into a rabbit hole, and i realised diyperks already made a video about building a mic, with all of the parts listed.
https://diyperks.com/project_31_high-quality-usb-c-microphone/ this is that project..
We're working on the V2 right now, I've had to beat the original in every specification and that's been quite a challenge to do that while reducing the overall cost of everything while maintaining compatibility with the V1.
As you'll note I work at rather glacial speed but it'll be ready when it's passed Matt's QC (you'll see that we're both absolute perfectionists). You can follow development of the boards at my GitHub with the Starfire series offering a number of different options from power supplies to pre-amps that don't need a THAT1512.
That completes the "original" upgrade but the for the real V2 I've dropped the original BOM and started from the ground up - this is almost at the prototype stage but I won't make those files public until they are ready. Some things such a load (the amount of current we draw from USB) needs to be measured as I can only estimate it in the quiescent state. The NMA0515 Matt used in the V1 is a bit of a power hog (200 - 300mA quiescent). While this is well inside the USB-2 (never mind 3) specification, it's still quite a pull on a hub.
There are issues in some parts of the world obtaining parts like the THAT1512 so it's made it difficult for some people to make their own (which is why the Michelle "Starfire" was developed). I would encourage anyone who is not in a massive hurry to make the V1 to hold up for now. All I can say is that the V2 does support the original capsule design, it has a specially designed front end to make this possible, predicted to be more sensitive by a factor of roughly 2x, but beyond that everything is brand new. It also has support for the sort of microphone capsules Matt demonstrated in the wireless video, naturally with the high-performance baked in.
Just don't hold your breath, I work at a rate that would make an inebriated, three-legged tortoise seem like Olympic sprinting champion. Think glacial and then slow it down a bit so I'm also working to make it worth the extended wait too.
Re. the video, I concur with Matt, this is the future, wireless power delivery is almost with us and in decades to come I can imagine entire homes being wired with things like lights that you stick to the ceiling with a super-magnet (or even Velcro) and simply move around if and when you need to. Nikola Telsa's dream is almost a reality, even if it's taken us nearly a century to do it!
Take everything I say with a pinch of salt, I might be wrong and it's a very *expensive* way to learn!
@marcdraco I think they were originally referring to the Mic in the wireless video, as its a very different build, being 3d printed and all with the wireless sender and receiver
I'm wondering about the "low cost audio transmitter" that is used for the wireless part of the microphone.
Does someone know what exactly he is using?
The ones I found are either Bluetooth or are using a giant antenna. Do they go by a specific name?
@marcdraco I think they were originally referring to the Mic in the wireless video, as its a very different build, being 3d printed and all with the wireless sender and receiver
You're right but the V2 USB C should broadly compatible. I'll have to check the specs on the transmitter module to see what it accepts/expects. I'm trying to cover as many bases as possible so more people can enjoy it. In fact, the lower-cost 3D printed stand is a great idea for people on a budget or that have the metalworking skills (like me) of a squirrel. 🙂
Take everything I say with a pinch of salt, I might be wrong and it's a very *expensive* way to learn!
The ones I found are either Bluetooth or are using a giant antenna. Do they go by a specific name?
I had the same issue trying to locate that on AliX. I did find that the "Vention Wireless HDMI Video Transmitter and Receiver Extender kit 5G 50m Adapter For PC Camera Laptop To Projector Monitor TV" (there's a mouthful) is on sale to new subs at 50% off and the reviews look good so that's an option for the monitor.
I've seen audio transceivers before. In the days before stereo Bluetooth (at high quality for what it is) that's all we had. Some parts of the world limit what sort of frequency we can use so that can be a problem too. What you're going to need is a FM transmitter/receiver pair that is on a "free" band where you live. Many countries in Europe are very strict about the allocation as much of the "free air" is actually reserved for military and aerospace use and if your gear transmits on that band, you might get a visit from the local G-Men.
If I speak to Matt any time soon I'll ask where he got that from as I've drawn a blank, at least on my usual sites as no matter what you put in they keep suggesting Bluetooth and with the latency issue, it's simply not good enough for a microphone.
Take everything I say with a pinch of salt, I might be wrong and it's a very *expensive* way to learn!
This is so sick. I'm in talks with a good friend of mine to build a "round table" for homemade alcohol sharing nights, but with wireless charging areas for phones/watches/embers.
I thought about an Adapter between MagSafe And ETI Wireless Power wich you just Throw on your Desktop And your phone on it And the phone charges maybe an entiere Dock to put Stuff Like AirPods your phone Apple Watch
It looks absolutely stunning!
I have a question though regarding the efficiency. Have you measured the power usage of the whole system? And how much energy is "wasted" to the wireless transfer?
Thank you!
@velocity I've been looking into the parts and I think I found it all thanks to Google Lens/Image search
The Microphone capsule is JLI2590A however the shipping cost is different per country so your mileage may vary.
However there is a chinese knockoff called DR2501 which you can find on ebay/aliexpress for around 15€. Image search works the best as not all of the sellers put the name into the item name but rather than the description. I've actually ordered this and will see how good does it sound.
The audio amplifier can be found under DC 5V-12V Micro Electret Amplifier MIC Condenser Mini Microphone Amplifier Board on Amazon/Ebay/Aliexpress usually below 2€
The actual audio receiver/transmitter seems to be Voxfull VF-510 which can be found on alibaba (basically aliexpress but you usually need to order in larger quantities) for around 20€ with shipping. I also found some sellers on aliexpress but then the cost is around 30€
Overall, to me it seems like this DIY microphone can be created under under 50€ (below $60)
I did not provide any links as I do not want to benefit any specific seller.
Hello guys! Just a quick update, haha. I tried to replicate the wireless microphone design, but I don’t have the specific capsule that Matt used (JLI2590A), so I used the JLI2555 instead. I soldered it to a 2SK30A-GR to mimic the internal JFET of the 2590A. I also bought an LM386 preamp and a wireless lavalier mic. I hooked everything up according to the specs: transistor gate to the middle pin of the 2555, source to the negative mic input of the preamp, drain to the positive mic input of the preamp, audio out (positive and negative) to the wireless lavalier's old electret pads, and a 5V input line.
Sad to say, all I’m hearing is loud static noise. I guess the JLI2555 paired with the 2SK30A isn't ideal for this project, or I’m doing something wrong in the process, haha.
@renzevan Where did you found out that the Capsule that he used was JLI2590A? From the rear view of the microphone where you can see green board, I'd say it's DR2501 as I've stated above. Unless JLI2590A is now being manufactured with green board instead of blue.
Edit: Never mind, after googling JLI2590A, I found multiple sources where the motherboard is green. You are correct.
@nightmean NGL, I just assumed that it is 2590A because almost all creators of DIY high quality mic uses capsule from JLI Electronics HAHA