microphone wireing (for dummies ;) )

omgitsaliv55

For quite some time I've wanted to be able to hook up a microphone to my basic stamp projects and take readings from it one way or another, but all the threads I've read scare me away with all the technical terms. Are there any straight forward ways to take readings from a microphone? If anyone could also fill me in on the types of signals microphones produce, that would be helpful. I know I sound totally clueless, but this has always intrigued me and I'd like to pursue it. I know how to put together basic r/c circuits and have access to a/d converters, but thats about the extent of my knowledge. I just need to know what other parts i'd need, and where to begin with wiring. All help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Patrick

Brian218

Hi Patrick,

Here is a link to the Propeller cookbook which shows a circuit with a microphone.

http://ucontroller.com/Propeller%20Protoboard%20Designs%20for%20the%20Beginner.pdf

It should be very easy to adapt it the BS2


Post Edited (Brian218) : 11/24/2007 10:48:57 AM GMT

Mike Green

The circuit shown for the Propeller isn't really adaptable for the Stamp. A Stamp just isn't fast enough to do the audio processing.

Here's one circuit for sound detection. There are many others depending on what you want to do. Try searching the web for "sound detector".

www.seattlerobotics.org/encoder/200003/larryb.html

Zoot

This completed project http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=572182 uses some common parts and ADCs to sense sound levels (i.e., volume) for a Stamp. The builder has schematics and parts list.

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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. -- HST

omgitsaliv55

these are all very helpful, but before I go and buy the required parts, what type of output does a microphone send (does the amperage/voltage change based on sound levels etc.) and what exactly does an audio amplifier do (I know I sound stupid, it's just if I don't understand what i'm dealing with i'll never be able to troubleshoot the circuit if something goes wrong). Thanks!

-Patrick

Mike Green

You should explore the Wikipedia which has all sorts of information like this. Search the web for "Wikipedia microphone" or "Wikipedia amplifier" and follow the links that may seem useful or interesting.

Basically, a microphone produces a small voltage or current in response to pressure on the diaphragm of the microphone.

An audio amplifier is simply an amplifier optimized for the audio frequency spectum (roughly 20Hz to 20KHz).