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Dollar Store Parabolic Mic

by jurtle on December 31, 2007

Table of Contents

intro: Dollar Store Parabolic Mic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Gathering your materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 2: Let's Prepare the Parabolic Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 3: Make a Hole for the Handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 4: Finish the Parabolic Dish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 5: Preparing the Handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 6: Insert the Handle into the Umbrella . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 7: Install the Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 8: Voila! There You Have It! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 9: Take it for a Test Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

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Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
intro: Dollar Store Parabolic Mic
This is a ridiculously easy way to build a very functional parabolic microphone using mostly items purchased from one of those stores where everything is a dollar. Check
out the original design at: Dollar Store Parabolic Microphone.

step 1: Gathering your materials.

First, gather all the materials you will need. This is very easy. In fact, this whole project is so easy you almost don't even have to have the instructable.

Find a small folding umbrella hat, a regular nine inch paint roller handle, and small microphone. Make sure the umbrella hat is vinyl and not fabric. Fabric is too
acoustically transparent and will not reflect the sound properly. Just about any small microphone will do as long as it is reasonably sensitive. Here I am using a stereo
"Clip-On" mic from Radio Shack (33-3028).

You will also need a few tools and supplies. This is basic stuff. Get a hammer, side cutter, sharp knife, razor saw, permanent marker, some gaffer's tape, and a few cable
ties. The reamer is optional. A file might come in handy. So might a small laser pointer of some sort.

That's it!

A little note for "dollar store purists:"

It is possible to build this whole thing using only components from the dollar store. Many of them sell small earbud headphones that can function like microphones, albeit
very poor ones. The also sell little hands-free headsets for cell phones. Those have real microphones in them. They will require a little surgery to work but a dollar store
purist won't mind. Using either of these options will give you a true $3 parabolic mic

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 Image Notes
1. This is a Radio Shack Stereo Clip-On microphone (33-3028). They also sell a
more current mono model (33-3013) that just does not perform as well. Try to find
the older model if you can. Otherwise, just about any small sensitive mic will do.

step 2: Let's Prepare the Parabolic Part

The first thing to do is get rid of the hat band part of the umbrella hat. Use the side cutters to snip away the plastic holders.

Image Notes
1. I just like the idea of a yellow frame around this flower.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
step 3: Make a Hole for the Handle
Next, take a look at the very top of the umbrella hat. See that little knob? Slice it off with your razor saw and clean up the hole with a reamer or sharp knife as needed.

Done? Then the parabolic part is almost complete. I told you this was easy.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
step 4: Finish the Parabolic Dish
Now, cut a small triangular piece of the gaffer's tape and place it on the outside of the umbrella hat, near the center. Make a couple of small incisions in the tape and
umbrella vinyl to form a cross. This will be the reinforced hole through which the microphone wire will pass.

step 5: Preparing the Handle

Ok, now let's make the handle. All you have to do is remove the plastic caps and wire frame that hold the paint roller on the handle. Here is where you use the hammer. A
couple of good whacks and the job is done. You may have to file away some small burrs on the shaft but otherwise, this step is done!

Is this easy or what?

Image Notes
1. I am sure there is a more elegant way to do this but somehow this seems like
more fun.

step 6: Insert the Handle into the Umbrella

Now just push the shaft of the paint roller handle through the hole in the top of the umbrella hat so that it protrudes about six inches into the interior. Be careful to leave
about half an inch between the bend of the handle and the outer surface of the umbrella.

Once the handle is in place, wrap a piece of gaffer's tape (any kind of tape will do) around the handle and secure it with a cable tie. This will keep the handle from slipping
back and mark its position.

Then wrap the inside of the shaft with a piece of tape as well. This will provide a gripping surface for the microphone itself.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
step 7: Install the Microphone
This couldn't be any easier. Just clip the microphone to the shaft and thread the mic cable through the reinforced hole. Secure the cable with a few cable ties to make it
neat and you are almost ready to go.

You want to place the microphone as close to the focal point of the parabolic reflector as possible. There are several ways of doing this. First of all remember, this is a
plastic umbrella, not a scientifically designed parabola! The focal point is going to be a bit fuzzy, to say the least. So here are a some possibilities from the most
complicated to the simplest.

1) Point a laser beam at the umbrella from a distance. You should be able to see where it reflects onto the shaft. Mark that point with a permanent marker (that is why it is
in the materials list). Repeat the process several times until you are satisfied that you have identified the general region of focus.

2) Plug the mic cable into a recording device, put on some headphones, point the parabolic mic toward a small sound source (a ticking clock is good), and move the
microphone along the shaft until you get the loudest sound.

3)Just take my word for it. Place the mic about three inches, give or take half an inch, from the inside surface of the umbrella. Of course this will vary depending on what
kind of umbrella hat you decided to use.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
step 8: Voila! There You Have It!
Add a few cable ties to anchor the mic cable and make it look neater and you are all done.

step 9: Take it for a Test Ride

Plug your new parabolic mic into the microphone input of your favorite recorder. Use headphones to monitor your work. Then point it at something interesting. You are in
for a pleasant surprise. Try recording the same sound without the parabolic set up.

Haven't made one yet? Hey, that's okay. I did it for you. Here is a link to an '''a short MP3 file''' that lets you hear how well it works. First you will hear a recording of a
growling squirrel with the mic element by itself followed by the same squirrel recorded with the parabolic set up. That is followed by a similar sequence recording a
cardinal chirping in the distance, first without the parabolic setup, then with it. The segments are separated by short tones. I think the differences are pretty amazing.

So, make one for yourself and let me know how it comes out.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 Image Notes
1. A typical setup using the parabolic mic, headphones, and a digital recorder. Needless to say you will attract lots of attention walking around in public places with
this rig. I usually welcome the inquiries and let people listen to what I am doing. Kids, especially, love it.

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Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 85 comments

audience says: May 18, 2008. 6:47 PM REPLY

the mp3 link to hear a sample was completely silent. Do you have another link to listen to a sample? because it looks like this one's not working. It was
playing but there was no sound.

jurtle says: May 18, 2008. 8:10 PM REPLY

I just checked the link. It seems to be working. Try checking your audio settings to make sure the problem is not on your end. Failing that you can always
go to the original site: http://www.bambooturtle.us/ParabolicMicrophone.html. There are some additional audio samples there. I hope it works for you.
j

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 jurtle says: May 18, 2008. 8:12 PM REPLY
Sorry for including the period in the url. Try this:
http://www.bambooturtle.us/ParabolicMicrophone.html

posthastily says: May 10, 2008. 6:34 PM REPLY

By using the paint-roller handle you can also buy extender handles of various lengths that would allow the mic to be raised above unwanted noise (crowds,
etc.) to better target the wanted sound.

Also, I've seen postings elsewhere that suggest using a round plastic terrarium cut in half for this type of mic. Apparently the perfectly round halves made of
smooth hard plastic work in a similar fashion for gathering sound. The clear plastic allows the user to see through and aim at the targeted sound, and looks
more like the store-bought parabolics.

Great instructable!

DIY Dave says: Apr 12, 2008. 12:34 PM REPLY

Does it sound bad on windy days?

jurtle says: Apr 12, 2008. 2:49 PM REPLY

It behaves just like any other parabolic microphone under windy conditions. There is some wind noise that comes from the mic diaphragms. In very
breezy conditions there is also some noise generated by the action of the wind on the umbrella itself. If you are talking about a very mild breeze, the
foam windscreens that come with the mics work well. Beyond that some more drastic measures would be called for. Maybe that could be an Instructable
for another time. As it is presented here, the device is not suitable for windy conditions.

govind says: Apr 10, 2008. 2:54 AM REPLY

Dear friend ,
I'm govind, I red ur project , I liked v much. It is simple n cheap.
Cool it is!
Bye..... Govind

crayzclown says: Apr 4, 2008. 12:33 PM REPLY

c00l

GorillazMiko says: Jan 1, 2008. 8:34 PM REPLY

Cool, looks great, those fake heads are creepy..

theRIAA says: Jan 1, 2008. 8:59 PM REPLY

I second that

signposts says: Jan 13, 2008. 2:24 PM REPLY

3rd

Geoffrito says: Jan 13, 2008. 7:13 PM REPLY

fourth would probably be overkill, but might as well put it out there.

sensoryhouse says: Jan 15, 2008. 11:29 PM REPLY

5th would be more ridiculous than this instructable.

cactusbin says: Jan 20, 2008. 7:12 PM REPLY

6th? Why not. Great instructable btw

dragonito says: Jan 29, 2008. 1:07 PM REPLY

7th

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 jarrenrules202122 says: Jan 31, 2008. 3:41 AM REPLY
OMGoodness they are soooo freaky I hearby 8th that motion!!!!!

qwerty90210 says: Jan 31, 2008. 6:55 PM REPLY

9th!!! :D

laraghy123 says: Feb 1, 2008. 10:35 PM REPLY

10th just to keep this rolling.
awesome instructable by the way

Orchestrapit says: Feb 2, 2008. 12:48 AM REPLY

elevendty billionth. awesome instructable, i am going to the Shack tomorrow!

bowmaster says: Mar 3, 2008. 5:43 PM REPLY

Elevendty billionth squared

ReeToric says: Mar 10, 2008. 12:48 PM REPLY

Infinity.

Pwned

bowmaster says: Mar 10, 2008. 2:46 PM REPLY

Infinity squared

Double Pwned

GorillazMiko says: Mar 11, 2008. 5:53 PM REPLY

Infinity10,000 .

WHAT?!
Get some.

someguy1234 says: Mar 11, 2008. 6:52 PM REPLY

infinity to the infiniteith power!
thats pretty big

bowmaster says: Mar 13, 2008. 12:08 PM REPLY

infinity to the infiniteith power squared!!

ReeToric says: Mar 11, 2008. 7:06 PM REPLY

Yes, its pretty big. So big in fact that its actually infinity. Oh, the irony. :O

Geoffrito says: Mar 11, 2008. 7:09 PM REPLY

it's OK guys. Just take deep breaths and think happy thoughts. we get the picture with this
whole 'second, third, fourth' thing :P

sensoryhouse says: Mar 11, 2008. 8:15 PM REPLY

Holy crap...we have created a monster

THE END, SERIOUSLY

THE END

bowmaster says: Mar 13, 2008. 12:09 PM REPLY

No, this only the beginning
MAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 qwerty90210 says: Mar 25, 2008. 9:35 PM REPLY
lets start it over! jk jk lol

bowmaster says: Apr 2, 2008. 9:03 AM REPLY

Ok, why not? Cool, looks great, those fake heads are creepy..

The Nate Dawg says: Apr 10, 2008. 7:06 AM REPLY

infinity to the infinity power to the infinity power to the infinity power.

Geoffrito says: Apr 10, 2008. 2:06 PM REPLY

please. No.

bowmaster says: Apr 10, 2008. 2:45 PM REPLY

Infinity to the Ninja power

n8man says: Jun 16, 2008. 6:29 PM REPLY

Infinity to the infinitieth power infinity times.

So its infinity to the infinity to the infinity....... and so on

Beat that!!!

The Nate Dawg Jun 16, 2008. 8:27 PM REPLY

says:
you really can't get any higher than infinity. lets really start
over now!

n8man says: Jun 16, 2008. 8:53 PM REPLY

You're just mad that I beat you
Pwnd

The Nate Jun 17, 2008. 9:11 AM REPLY

Dawg says:
I know you are.

Geoffrito Jun 17, 2008. 2:51 PM REPLY

says:
Guys. Seriously. i think its time we all quiet
down and go to out respective happy places.

n8man says: Jun 17, 2008. 1:47 PM REPLY

but what am I?

The Jun 17, 2008. 5:13 PM REPLY

Nate Dawg says:
What did Geoffrito just finish saying?

Jun 17, 2008. 5:30 PM REPLY

n8man says:
He told us to go to our happy places
and this is mine

Jun 19, 2008. 10:24 PM REPLY

bowmaster says:
Ninja to the power of Ninja

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 Jun 20, 2008. 4:37 PM REPLY
The Nate Dawg says:
ninja isn't a number

Jun 20, 2008. 7:17 PM

REPLY
n8man says:
Infinity is actually theoretical
so
Googleplex to the
googleplex to the
googleplex and so on

Jun 20, 2008. 8:43 PM

REPLY
jurtle says:
Okay, Children. It is time
to go out and play
somewhere else. My
inbox keeps getting
these "You have 1 new
comment" messages,
almost all of which have
absolutely nothing to do
with the project. Please.
There is no way to "win"
this ridiculous game of
ordinal one-upchildship
except to get the last
word before the
moderator simply
deletes the whole batch.
I am happy to respond
to all relevant comments
about the project itself
but this thread has gone
far enough.

Jun 21, 2008. 6:51

PM REPLY
n8man says:
You could try turning
off the alerts or just
set them for every
hour.

Sorry for the earlier

comments.

Jun 21, 2008.

9:00 PM REPLY
The Nate
Dawg says:
i'm done. cause
u can't go any
higher.

Jul 12, 2008.

12:42 AM
REPLY
signposts
says:
We've Created
a
monster!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/
 Jul 12,
2008. 6:30
AM
REPLY
The
Nate
Dawg
says:
well, it
was
asleep,
but now
you woke
it.

view all 85 comments

http://www.instructables.com/id/Dollar-Store-Parabolic-Mic/