May 24th: Creating Task List | Starting Design

organize my thoughs & provide reasoning for project decisions to effectively use my time and minimize drastic changes (2 hours)

Questions + Reasoning

Q: Why attempt to make a microphone to have the ability to record with multiple sound patterns?

A: To give users flexible control over audio capture; from isolating vocals and minimizing background noise with a cardioid pattern, to capturing immersive, full-room sound with omnidirectional mode. This versatility enables everything from solo recordings to group sessions, even allowing 8D audio effects when played through multiple speakers.

Q: Why make the microphone have so many connectivity options? Wouldn't one or two satisfy?

A: Because no single connection will fit every use case. Multiple options ensure the mic works seamlessly across different setups - wireless for convenience, AUX for real-time use, and USB-C for high-quality digital audio and power. By maximizing compatibility, flexibility, and user freedom.

May 25th: Simplifying + Refining Design Intent; Begin Hardware

narrowing down the desired features to include as part of the microphone has been difficult, and recieving opinions from other HackClubbers helps a lot with thinking the possible designs. Doing a bit more research on PCB design methods, using 2 PCB's as opposed to just one simplifies switching profiles, allowing for switching between Cardioid & Omnidirectional function desirably. Additionally, by discarding wifi cabailities steming from the microphone itself allows for less battery draw and simplify the pcb design.

Adding a companion deck, similar to those used with audio mixers, could enable a lighter mic design and add features for connected devices. It would handle sound control, making it easier to switch audio profiles and mic patterns. Also, the initial concept of adding swappable capsule/heads via thread + magnetic pin detection may overcomplicate my end goal. If I can make it all into one custom build, it'll lower costs and save time on manufacturing the parts, giving me more time to focus on the software and tuning the profiles.

Sourcing Material/Hardware to test prototype

I plan on utilizing my Rasberry Pi 4B from a previous project to serve as a prototype companion deck and test compatibility to the ESP32, which will be the microphones processor & since I also had it from a previous project, I may as well reuse & do connectivity tests.

Update: Went to MicroCenter to purchase a few components to get the microcontroller to function independently (below are the products purchased)

Product	Description	Cost
IPSG DC-DC STEP DOWN MODULE	Used to step down voltage from a 9V battery to output only 3.7V (indicated operating voltage for the ESP32)	$5.99
LKG INDUS T SHAPE 9V BATTERY SNAP	9V battery snap connector designed for securely attaching wires to a step-down voltage converter	$1.49
IPSG INLAND JPR WIRE 20CM 3PK	Extra M-M, F-M and F-F jumper wires to connect components to Mic prototype	$4.99
IPSG USB A TO MICRO-B CABLE	USB A -> Micro-B used to upload code + program ESP32 Directly from laptop	$2.99

Sales TOTAL : $16.89 (after tax)

Reference Images of Products

ITEM 1	ITEM 2	ITEM 3	ITEM 4

May 26th: Working on Block Diagram (2 hours)

Spent majority of my day with family but eventually found time to refining designs for both Companion Deck + Microphone

Image	Description
	Lines symbolize connections to different internal parts (dashed -> wireless & solid -> contact)

Side note: This design currently only displays the interaction between the components and not with other devices yet. More detailed interactions will be added on on a later date.

By referencing both a physical prototype and similar products, has helped me visualize component and UI interactions, refine my design early, and add a personal touch to a more unique concept.

May 27th - June 6th Update: School + Project

these past few days, I've been trying to end the school year strong & to get all my academic responsibilities away. I will be posting my microphone schematic soon enough and my current progress of the Microphone Housing

June 13th - Finally Returned to Working: Designing prototype casings

Begun prototype design of microphone body to best fit my design intent: swappable microphone capsules, quick and easy customizability and ease of use

this is the starting point for the microphone body design : 3 trapezoidal slots used for capsule pod to be first inserted, then once its into place by reaching flat surface, twist 45 degrees clockwise until pod magnets connect, securing the head in place. I also plan on having a pogo ping connection in the center for ground connectivity. Power and Signal Wires will most likely be on opposite ends to reduce the possibility of signal interference. more detailed measurements will be added later on the closer reflect the final design

post 3D printing half section of prototype: comments - current 20 degree slope of case is hard to hold for longer time and will be hard to mount at angles for stands (will make more comfortable) - feel of microphone should be 5-10 mm longer for a more comfortable hold (currently feels like a short coffee cup) - Housing will fit components, but need to add mounts for everything, including the capsule housings

June 14th - Near Finalizing Mic Body + Mic Capsule

About finished with capsule locking + connection mechanicsm (provided in the picture is a Prototype Design for the Capsule Mounting; has been tested and fits into place nicely)

As of right now, mechanically everything should fit well within the now redefined body (will upload 3D print file once final dimensions are set) and the capsule fits perfectly, so now all thats left is to finalize the microphone schematic

post 3D printing: capsule swap mount + reprint of body connector - as of right now, the component is fitting a bit snug (hard to twist w/o magnets being used) so slight remodifications are to be made to make up such a tight fitting - putting the capsule pod into the 4 slots however is really easy and clicks in nicely, so dimensions of slots + capsule fittings dont need adjustments (at the moment...)

mic body itself is pretty light weight (did 10% infill with adaptive cubic infill to save on materials while keeping rigidity)

June 15-16 - Narrowing down BOM (Importing Components to Assembly) (1 hour)

Im onto finalizing the dimensions of my microphone with my newly updating a Bill of Materials, helping me finalize the parts (surprisingly keeping the cost below 40 so far) but definetly will be going up after PCBs are finalized. Will add BOM to ReadMe by June 18th.

June 23 - Finishing up Mic Body and Pod + Beginning on Companion Deck (3 hours)

Finishing the Bill of Materials previously had helped speed things up today, especially when it came down to determining the dimensions of the microphone's internals, the companion deck top plate and basically the final constraints for my custom pcb's. ADDITIONALLY, I finalized my decision of the logo/branding of it... Here are pictures of my models!

Mic Body

Isometric View	Section View

Notes:

Companion Deck

Concept	Top Plate