Interested in microphone design - what should i be looking into? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: gnr2206
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 10, 2016, 09:31:11 pm
content: Hello allHave gotten an interest in microphone design over the past few months. Interest arose from the research project in college. Have looked at the microphone 101 videos on EEV yt channel. Amazing stuffCan anyone recommend any additional reading e.g. book that would be worth looking up with regards to the physics behind creating dynamic microphone, condenser etcThanks

author: umagarz
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 07:18:58 am
content: Take a look at Handbook for Sound Engineers by Glen Ballou.It covers much more than just microphones and is quite technical but very comprehensive.

author: Keicar
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 07:39:43 am
content: You might want to look into joining the Yahoo Micbuilders group - some very knowledgeable folks and occasionally lively discussions to be found there.Cheers,Karl.

author: borjam
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 07:50:37 am
content: One of the standard titles on the field is John Eargle's The Microphone Book.http://www.themicrophonebook.com

author: alanb
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 08:40:42 am
content: There is a series of EEVBLOG videos by Doug Ford on microphone design, EEVBLOG#602 -- 611

author: mikeys
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 12:15:48 pm
content: Just pasted this straight out of my microphone & loudspeaker module reading list.Colloms,S.1991High Performance LoudspeakersVance Dickason1991The Loudspeaker Design CookbookJohn Borwick1994Loudspeaker and Headphone HandbookRobertson, A1963MicrophonesRossi, M.1988Acoustics and ElectroacousticsFrederick V. Hunt1982ElectroacousticsOnly one I've read is the loudspeaker cookbook and it was alright. Never really got interested in this area though.

author: amspire
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 02:35:07 pm
content: This interview with Bob Heil is interesting:http://thehub.musiciansfriend.com/gear-pioneers/bob-heil-master-of-game-changing-microphone-technologyBob started making dynamic Ham radio mikes and then Joe Walsh of The Eagles asked if he could make a custom version because the Ham mikes sounded better then his usual microphones.Anyway, you get some of the history of Heil's large diaphram dynamic microphones and why design decisions were made.http://www.heilsound.com

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 02:35:57 pm
content: Quote from: borjam on May 11, 2016, 07:50:37 amI'd second that. In fact I'd go so far as to say: get a copy, sit down, read it cover to cover. Then you'll either know everything you'll ever need to know about the subject or, you'll have a good grounding to know what subject areas to hunt out more detailed information on. The references and bibliography section of the book runs to 4 1/2 pages which is neither poor nor comprehensive but would provide a decent jumping off point for further study.Microphone design in one of those things that falls into the 'black arts' category. There is only a moderate about of published literature (compared to many other areas of study) and much of the true art lies in the hands and heads of past and present designers. Plus, as far as microphones for performance/recording go (as opposed to measurement) there's a substantial subjective element to 'what's a good microphone for what purpose' that extends beyond the purely technical and isn't baseless in the way that audiophoolery is.