Electret Microphone
How to use a electret microphone with a balanced phantom powered input.
We use the Primo EM172, a 12€ high quality electret microphone. The circuit presented here can be use to build a monophonic streambox, or with two of them a binaural head.
The presented circuit power the electret microphone with a bias voltage determined by the value of a zener diode. Usualy 5 volts is enought, but I find out 12v works better with the Primo EM172. It use the +48v from the phantom power, and output a balanced signal. This way, an extended length of cable can be used with very little background noise.
You will need:
Resistors:
2K2 1/4W 1% x2
22K 1/4W 1% x2
Capacitors:
10nf 100v mylar or ceramic x1
10uf aluminum electrolytic x3
All capacitor must rated for a voltage above the zener voltage used, for exemple vith a 12v zener diode, 18v rated capacitors ar fine.
Beware of the polarity of the capacitors, each must be wired as shown on the schematic.
Diode:
zener 12v x1
Other:
XLR male connector
Microphone cable, shielded stereo
Electret microphone (primo EM172).
The circuit is quite simple
Here is where the parts goes.
The circuit can be assembled on test board. Butif you want to print it, you can find the eagle files here.
Here are a few complete circuits.
It has been working outside for years, and is proven to be reliable. However, if left outside, coating the circuit is a good precaution, otherwise the humidity from the air with the +48v will disolve your trace, as it happend to me:
That is what happend with uncoated circuit outside.
Some sort of wind protection is recommended.
You can listen to this very circuit here.
Last changed 2023/03/13 15:35