How To: Make An XLR Mic From Old Rotary or Touchtone Telephone

[emanuelh1111]

I'm sorry, but could you dumb this down for me with a step by step procedure on how this works and what pieces/tools I will need in order to make this work efficiently? I'm really interested in this project. Thank you very much.

[wildfirexxl]

@emanuelh1111

It's very simple. Getting the phone will be the main thing. They're on ebay cheap. The XLR input is also cheap. I'd say less then $5 at any radioshack or also available on ebay.

Tools, I literally only used a screwdriver, drill and wire crimp (needle nose pliers). Wire connections I used wire crimp connections, but that only cause I had some left over from a car stereo project and I wanted to get rid of them. You could use electrical tape just as well.

[theseaneverrests]

I have a dumb question: where did you get the breakout box with the xlr ? I'm trying to find this part on the internet but I'm kinda confused. Could you help me out with a source? Thanks!

[wildfirexxl]

@theseaneverrests

All you need is an xlr jack. You can get them at radio shack, ebay, etc. I only used that breakout box because i had it laying around my shop and it had the xlr I wanted. I hope that helped. Thanks for your question!

[theseaneverrests]

@wildfirexxl Thanks! that does help, I figured I could just use the XLR but I wasn't sure. I have the exact same phone so I'm really excited to make this!!!

[punkrawk9]

Weird thing. The speaker (ear end) of the handset works as a microphone that sounds really cool and lo-fi with less distortion (also doesn't require phantom power) and when I do use phantom power the mic end of the handset works and sounds just like your example but the level is super hot, I need an attenuator. I really like it, definitely appreciate the video. It was super easy and a lot of fun to make. Thanks!

[wildfirexxl]

@punkrawk9

Hmm an attenuator, i didn't think about adding one of those. What kind did you end up using?

But I'm glad I could help!

[punkrawk9]

One question. You said you attached the red and green wires to pin 1 and 2 on your xlr connector. Pin 1 is ground, so how did that all work? I have the exact same phone, and I want it to be my project studio talkback mic.

[wildfirexxl]

@punkrawk9 My bad i did say pin one. I meant lead 1 and 2. Run your ground/pin 1 to whichever spot get you the least humming mine was the spot shown in the video with the black wire. The you two speaker wires are running from the red and blue point on the back side of the switchboards. Thanks for the comment. Hope it works out.