DIY Microphone Kits From Sound Sleuth

It takes an hour max, it’s fun, and it’s a large canary (CHEEEEEEAP!)

This is electronics designer Jules Ryckebusch’s latest DIY audio product. While I haven’t tried these mics yet, I can vouch from personal experience that his projects are terrific – and I still have a headphone amp in service that he designed from the ’90s to back that up that endorsement!

Here’s the company release. -NB

THREE NEW DIY CONDENSER MICROPOHONES PRODUCE STUNNING SONIC CLARITY AND DETAIL FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST OF EXISTING COMMERCIAL MODELS 

DALLAS/FT. WORTH – Sound Sleuth, LLC, an audio technology innovation company, has just released three microphone kits that combine unprecedented versatility with budget-friendly price tags. Whether you’re a musician, a vocalist, a podcaster, a voiceover professional or a recording engineer, the innovative circuit design in these microphones makes for impressive results in both recording and postproduction environments. 

According to Sound Sleuth founder and “Chief Listening Officer,” Jules Ryckebusch, while the manufacturing consistency of condenser microphone capsules has improved over the last decade or so, the design of the electronic circuits hasn’t changed since FETs were introduced in the 1970s. Today, every modern device requiring precision analog circuitry uses operational amplifiers. 

“I designed these mic kits using a dual operational amplifier, which results in a lower noise floor, higher signal handling ability, and less harmonic distortion than every existing commercial microphone.” said Ryckebusch. “I knew these would be an improvement, but I was actually blown away by their performance,” he added. 

• Samantha – uses a 25mm electret capsule and is perfect for miking instruments, guitar amps, and for voiceover work. Padding with an additional capacitor makes it great for close miking toms, snare drums or high hats.
• Serena – a world-class mic with a 34 mm capsule and polarized voltage supplied by a separate voltage bias board. Perfect for large room orchestral and choir recording, as well as in the vocal booth. 

• Endora – features a dual diaphragm 34 mm capsule intaking a signal from both sides and exporting them separately, eliminating pre-recording pattern checks and enabling adjustment in post-production. Perfect for both studio and live recording. 

According to Mr. Ryckebusch, “If you can solder a few wires and use a screwdriver, you can build one of these microphones in an hour.” Compete kits start at $199. Sound Sleuth has partnered with specialty manufacturer JLI Electronics to fulfill orders. For more information, visit them at www.jlielectronics.com.