3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Did you buy a new mixer? Do you need advice? Post here.
Forum rules
If you require help using Audacity, please post on the forum board relevant to your operating system:
Windows
Mac OS X
GNU/Linux and Unix-like
Locked
steve
Site Admin
Posts: 81627
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:43 am
Operating System: Linux *buntu

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by steve » Sun Apr 11, 2010 1:05 pm

One box should be fine.
As Koz has said, there may be a bit of "cross talk" (the signal from one microphone circuit bleeding through to the other circuits), but for your application that doesn't matter since you intend to mix them all together anyway.

It is even possible to run all of the microphones from the same batteries, but there is an important problem that needs to be overcome if you want to do that. The problem is that the microphones will interfere with each other due to signals passing through the battery.

Going back to the first diagram Image

If each microphone has its own 2k2 resistor, that will provide partial decoupling between the microphones. That resistor value can be increased and so improve the decoupling, but doing so will also drop the voltage across the microphone capsule. If the voltage drops too low the capsule will not be powered sufficiently and will distort, or stop working altogether. If you want to experiment a bit you could try adjusting the value of the resistors (too low a value could cause an unacceptably high voltage on the microphone and destroy it) and you may be able to find suitable values to provide adequate performance.

The very much easier - and better - method (though more expensive on batteries) is to use a separate circuit for each microphone.
There should be no problem putting them all in the same box, but they should all be "earthed" to the box at the same point (a nut, bolt and a couple of washers bolted through a hole drilled in the box should do the trick).
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

aighead
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:46 pm
Operating System: Please select

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by aighead » Sun Apr 11, 2010 4:58 pm

Ok, so seperate circuits in a box...

Can I go to the Radio Shack and buy a "2K2, 10uF, and a 10K" and would they also have the various wires that connect it all? Are they gonna know what I'm talking about? Is there a better way to go about buying this stuff, rather than the Shack? A set of 10 of each perhaps?

steve
Site Admin
Posts: 81627
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:43 am
Operating System: Linux *buntu

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by steve » Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:34 pm

What country are you in?
I'm in the UK, Koz is in the US.

Koz used different resistor values in his circuit to run from 2 coin cells - the resistor values are not very critical, but I'm sure Koz can give you a parts list if you want to replicate his design.

Resistors are often available in packs of 10 (cheaper than buying them individually).
It is important that the capacitor (marked "10uF" in the diagram) is rated at a higher voltage than the battery. "16v" is a common rating and will do nicely. It is also important if you use an "electrolytic capacitor" that it is connected the right way round. (I think Koz already covered this if you look back a few posts).

Within the metal box, cheap standard "hook-up wire" will be sufficient. Outside of the box "shielded" audio cable is required - the "shield" (the outside wire mesh) should be connected to "ground" and the inner wire used for the audio signal. On a jack plug, the signal wire connects to the "tip" of the jack plug.
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

aighead
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:46 pm
Operating System: Please select

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by aighead » Sun Apr 11, 2010 8:03 pm

I'm in the US. Thanks for the info steve!

kozikowski
Forum Staff
Posts: 69374
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by kozikowski » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:19 pm

The 2200 ohm or 2K2 or 2.2K resistor is standard and most microphones are comfortable with that. The 10000 ohm or 10K resistor is a protection device and doesn't enter into production of the sound. I used 4700 or 4K7 in my designs. 10K is probably better.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062344
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062347
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062393
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2103233
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062217

Tantalum is a type of electrolytic. Aluminum Electrolytic is the more normal one, but Radio Shack doesn't sell a 16 volt unit. You can use a 35 volt rated unit. I think that's what I actually used.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2103610

This stuff, save the box, is normally found in the wide component drawers in the back of the store. I never did photograph the second box, did I?

The second box is more interesting because I put a male XLR right on the end of the cable to eliminate one adapter.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2104076

I live on the coast and it's really easy to get a terrific assortment of screws from the sailing shops. Hardware stores work, too, but they usually force you to buy ten or twenty. Marine West will sell you one screw.

There is also the technique of cutting a 1/8" stereo extension cable in half and putting the box in the middle so you don't have to wire either of the end connectors. Just the box.

Koz

kozikowski
Forum Staff
Posts: 69374
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by kozikowski » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:25 pm

Do you have a voltmeter or know how to use a continuity tester -- or better still, know somebody who knows those things? You can dig yourself a hole pretty quickly with this design; some of the connections are hidden inside rubber coverings.

Missed one.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=2062219
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Id=3897297

I'm curious which six-input microphone mixer did you decide to use, remembering that the Peavey only does four.

Koz

aighead
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:46 pm
Operating System: Please select

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by aighead » Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:21 pm

Nope on the bigger picture...

Thanks for giving me the links to all this junk, it's going to be a challenge for me, but I think I can manage.

As for the mixer, assuming it will work I plan on continuing with the Nady mixer I have with all the headsets I have (especially due to the fact that I'm quickly running out of return-it time) then I'll find a preamp that'll work. Does that plan sound like it'll work? I may end up just using the tiny sound until I can afford the preamp... edit- But now upon actually looking at this stuff, I'm out of luck unless I want to spend over 100 bucks on a lowend preamp...

kozikowski
Forum Staff
Posts: 69374
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by kozikowski » Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:12 pm

This is not an inconsequential project. If you weren't carefully hand-constructing and choosing parts, a system like this would snap into the multi-thousand dollar range in a heartbeat.

The commercial version would have an amplifier feeding the show mix back to the ear pieces. This is highly desirable, by the way, because it makes the voice talent self leveling. It's instantly obvious when somebody asks you a question and you can hear the question, but not your own answer because you insist on talking into your beer.

http://kozco.com/tech/audacity/wynonna2.jpg
Those headphones are not accidental and all radio people look like that.

http://www.drtara.com/pressHouse.shtml
Second illustration.

Koz

aighead
Posts: 25
Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2010 10:46 pm
Operating System: Please select

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by aighead » Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:30 pm

You are insinuating that we have talent, which is really the biggest issue I'm having. I wouldn't mind spending a couple extra bucks (getting into the hundreds of dollars) if we had an audience at all, however, we don't really. We have listeners but no feedback, and therefore I can't justify a budget.

It scares me to hear you say that this isn't an inconsequential build...

So, we're back to sending the mixer back to go with a preamp mixer, right? I can likely deal with only 4 channels if the budget is right. This is probably the best way to go on my ultratight budget?

kozikowski
Forum Staff
Posts: 69374
Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:57 pm
Operating System: macOS 10.13 High Sierra

Re: 3.5mm mic's into mixer output to pc?

Post by kozikowski » Tue Apr 13, 2010 6:08 pm

<<<You are insinuating that we have talent, which is really the biggest issue I'm having.>>>

I don't deal with that. My job is to get the performance recorded perfectly. Talent is your job.

That makes you the Producer, by the way. That's the person who brings the show together before the performance. During the performance, the Director rules, but before and after, it's all about the Producer.

So If you've ever wondered what one of those does, look in a mirror.

Koz

Locked