I’ve been trying to build a carbon microphone. Why? Well, partly, because I can, and partly, because if you want that “telephone” sort of sound, the best way to do it is to use a telephone element rather than fake it later (see also: BULLHORN), and partly because I want to be able to sing into a can, like them fellers at the radio station.

A Microphone of Constant Sorrow

And this should be – electrically, at least – very simple. Small power supply – battery is fine – resistor or two, capacitor. Done. Very simple circuit.

But it isn’t working, and I have absolutely no idea why, and I’m highly frustrated. I’m going to try a higher-voltage circuit, which I’ve been avoiding for no good reason other than it shouldn’t help, but I’m starting to think the carbon element I got new-old-stock off eBay isn’t up to snuff.

Anybody else built one of these monsters before? I have actually managed to get extremely-low-volume recordings out of it a couple of times – far too low level to be useful, I’m afraid – so I don’t think the element is actually dead. But honestly, I have no idea.

eta: GUESS WHO HAS A WAVEFORM 😀

A WAV of Constant Sorrow