K-Micro aka "The 99¢ Mic"

Dot · 29th July 2006

That's right, folks. Someone had to do it. Waylon Ford of Karma Audio has knocked out the K-Micro aka "The 99¢ Mic". And, yes, this is a condenser mic.

Thought you guys might be interested in these little gems that are just hitting the market.

We've been using some prototypes for a few months. And just received the final go-to-market versions. Will have some session reports and soundclips soon.

http://www.karmaaudio.com

tonymite · 29th July 2006

i wann aknow more

Solar · 29th July 2006

This is the Top of the TOp!! A .99cent microphone?

Wow can't wait to see or hear more about this mic, i mean i'm speechless!! Thanx for sharing!!

**Lindell** · 29th July 2006

I want one hundred

blaugruen7 · 29th July 2006

will it sound better than a u47?

living sounds · 29th July 2006

I just ordered 99 $ cent (well almost) each caps to put in one of my mics... :-)

mr.gefell · 29th July 2006

1 dollar mic and 10 dollar mic pre-amp

living sounds · 29th July 2006

BTW, could anyone please tell me how many microns a human hair is?

blaugruen7 · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

1 dollar mic and 10 dollar mic pre-amp

very cool!

and 30$ for a fully blown stereo/surround analog console.

endless possibilities...

mr.gefell · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by living sounds

BTW, could anyone please tell me how many microns a human hair is?

depends...in a recent research article they measured 0.6 micron thickness of hair of
bald men.

mr.gefell · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaugruen7

very cool!

and 30$ fully blown stereo/surround analog console.

endless possibilities...

the sky is the limit

dave-G · 29th July 2006

Even if it's made with the cheapest of parts, I can't imagine profitability in this. You can't even get an XLR connector for 99¢

-dave

living sounds · 29th July 2006

Well, that was more of a rethorical question... as it's all on karma audios website (on every single mic page, to be precise). :-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

depends...in a recent research article they measured 0.6 micron thickness of hair of
bald men.

Solar · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindell

I want one hundred

Lindell! You're crazy.. a 100? Damn!!

mr.gefell · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by living sounds

Well, that was more of a rethorical question... as it's all on karma audios website (on every single mic page, to be precise). :-)

i know thumbsup

i was kidding bro...

zboy2854 · 29th July 2006

I wonder, do you think they'll offer a 6 months-no interest-no payments plan?

TheRigaletto · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by zboy2854

I wonder, do you think they'll offer a 6 months-no interest-no payments plan?

Ha!!

big country · 29th July 2006

finnaly all my dreams and prayers answerd with a 99 cent mic. I can finnaly buy
a mic with that change saved up in my couch

pan60 · 29th July 2006

better get one before the price up.

drmmrboy · 29th July 2006

Is it better to have 1 - $1000 mic, or 1000 - $.99 mics..??

e-cue · 29th July 2006

What's the best condenser mic for less than 98¢? I'm on a tighter budget these days.

zboy2854 · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmmrboy

Is it better to have 1 - $1000 mic, or 1000 - $.99 mics..??

[Spinal tap voice]

Well, the $1000 mic is $10 more, now innit?

[/Spinal tap voice]

LaLaFaV · 29th July 2006

I'm going to wait until I can get one used in the Gearslutz secondhand classifieds for 50 cents...

blaugruen7 · 29th July 2006

but be serious,
buying 1000 AD-channels is much more expensive than one!

zboy2854 · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaLaFaV

I'm going to wait until I can get one used in the Gearslutz secondhand classifieds for 50 cents...

Wait till the seller sees what kind of bite the Paypal fees take out!

I'm telling ya, the jokes just write themselves...

Geoff_T · 29th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave-G

Even if it's made with the cheapest of parts, I can't imagine profitability in this. You can't even get an XLR connector for 99¢

-dave

Hi

I suspect it's an electret insert, a few R's and C's, and a XLR body, all available from China and Chinese assembled for probably 45 cents.

Sounds about the right price...

It won't sound bad either... not exactly a U47 but those electrets are nice sounding.

**TonyBelmont** · 29th July 2006

I guess the race to zero has just picked up some speed..

arimaka · 30th July 2006

I went on their site and couldn't find any info on the mics or how to buy.
All they had was a graphic in the front... dfegad dfegad

Anyone???

Geoff_T · 30th July 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by arimaka

I went on their site and couldn't find any info on the mics or how to buy.
All they had was a graphic in the front... dfegad dfegad

Anyone???

Hi

I also think that their photo would be more useful if it had showed a top or end view so that you could see the element or at least the mesh.

It's not wildly expensive to make one of these mics yourself. You can buy the mic element in places like Radio Shack....

http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...&tab=techSpecs

and the circuits are simple... a diagram for connection is shown here...

http://www.epanorama.net/circuits/mi..._powering.html

The only issue is cost because you are paying for distribution and middlemen/store profits this way rather than buying bulk from China. You should be able to make one for about $10 though.

You will be pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds....

Nosound · 30th July 2006

Finally Behriger has competion can't wait for the price wars BTW I am a Behringer fan.

29th July 2006	#1
Dot Lives for gear Joined: Nov 2002 Location: on the beach in warm, sunny SC Posts: 872 Thread Starter	K-Micro aka "The 99¢ Mic" That's right, folks. Someone had to do it. Waylon Ford of Karma Audio has knocked out the K-Micro aka "The 99¢ Mic". And, yes, this is a condenser mic. Thought you guys might be interested in these little gems that are just hitting the market. We've been using some prototypes for a few months. And just received the final go-to-market versions. Will have some session reports and soundclips soon. http://www.karmaaudio.com __________________ Dan Richards Yackin' about gear and recording techniques at http://studioforums.com

29th July 2006	#3
Solar Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Canada/Mexico Posts: 1,887	Damn!! Can not believe this!! This is the Top of the TOp!! A .99cent microphone? Wow can't wait to see or hear more about this mic, i mean i'm speechless!! Thanx for sharing!! __________________ MY Music Producer, Mix Engineer, Entrepreneur http://soundcloud.com/absolutmy www.myspace.com/absolutmy

29th July 2006	#12
dave-G Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,486	Even if it's made with the cheapest of parts, I can't imagine profitability in this. You can't even get an XLR connector for 99¢ -dave __________________ DAVE GREENBERG SONOPOD MASTERING

29th July 2006	#16
zboy2854 Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL Posts: 7,941	I wonder, do you think they'll offer a 6 months-no interest-no payments plan? __________________ What the wise man does in the beginning, fools do in the end. --Warren Buffett The four most expensive words in the English language are: "This time it's different." --John Marks Templeton

29th July 2006	#20
drmmrboy Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Philadelphia PA Posts: 2,780	"What should I buy" Is it better to have 1 - $1000 mic, or 1000 - $.99 mics..??

29th July 2006	#2
tonymite Gear addict Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 456	i wann aknow more

29th July 2006	#4
Lindell Moderator Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,455	I want one hundred

29th July 2006	#5
blaugruen7 Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2004 Location: berlin Posts: 1,887	will it sound better than a u47?

29th July 2006	#6
living sounds Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 2,939	I just ordered 99 $ cent (well almost) each caps to put in one of my mics... :-)

29th July 2006	#7
mr.gefell Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2002 Location: forest and hills Posts: 1,248	1 dollar mic and 10 dollar mic pre-amp

29th July 2006	#18
big country Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Location: (visiting) Lake Elsinor Posts: 7,874	finnaly all my dreams and prayers answerd with a 99 cent mic. I can finnaly buy a mic with that change saved up in my couch

29th July 2006	#19
pan60 500 series nutjob Joined: Nov 2004 Location: 500 series Guru SKANK! ; ) Posts: 10,940	better get one before the price up.

29th July 2006	#21
e-cue Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 4,069	What's the best condenser mic for less than 98¢? I'm on a tighter budget these days.

29th July 2006	#23
LaLaFaV Gear addict Joined: May 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 363	I'm going to wait until I can get one used in the Gearslutz secondhand classifieds for 50 cents... __________________ Lance LaFave Free downloads at: http://www.reverbnation.com/Skydiver http://www.reverbnation.com/controll...?autoPlay=true http://www.facebook.com/SKYDIVERband http://www.facebook.com/kstreetrecorders https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...0413af6&type=1

29th July 2006	#27
TonyBelmont Moderator Joined: Feb 2004 Location: Boston,MA Providence,RI Posts: 15,929	I guess the race to zero has just picked up some speed..

30th July 2006	#28
arimaka Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 619	I went on their site and couldn't find any info on the mics or how to buy. All they had was a graphic in the front... dfegad dfegad Anyone??? __________________ http://www.arimaka.com

30th July 2006	#30
Nosound Gear maniac Joined: May 2005 Posts: 182	Finally Behriger has competion can't wait for the price wars BTW I am a Behringer fan.

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