Dual Connector Microphone

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to the field of microphone connectors, and more particularly to a dual connector including an analog connector and a digital port. The digital port can be positioned directly adjacent to the analog connector or within the analog connector. For example, a Type-C USB port can be positioned directly over one or more pins of an XLR connector or between one or more pins of an XLR connector. Advantageously, the microphone can be configured to connect with a variety of host devices and can facilitate functioning as a USB-C microphone via the digital port to generate a 32-bit floating-point recording or audio stream.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of microphones, and more particularly to microphones that include dual connectors. [Background technology]

[0002] Microphones, such as directional microphones, are widely used in a variety of applications, including professional and home music recording, news gathering, sporting events, outdoor filming, and content creation. Once audio is captured, it can be output to one or more devices via wireless or wired connections.

[0003] A wired microphone typically includes an audio interface for outputting audio to another device. For example, a conventional microphone may include an optical interface, a universal serial bus (USB), a 3-pin external line return (XLR), a tip-and-sleeve (TS) connector, a tip, ring, and sleeve (TRS) connector, etc.

[0004] To accommodate the wide variety of audio connectors on the market, a particular microphone may include multiple analog and / or digital interfaces. However, wired microphones that use analog inputs tend to rely on the host device to improve audio sound and performance.

[0005] Traditional microphones with digital or USB connections typically contain a single analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for one or more input channels. This often results in non-simultaneous sampling of the individual channels, ultimately resulting in poor performance. Furthermore, traditional microphones often require sorting through dual recordings in post-production to find a non-clipping track. USB or digital microphones typically have a limited usable dynamic range, determined by a fixed or variable gain applied to the microphone, which is fed into a single or dual analog-to-digital converter of 24 bits or less. If the audio signal exceeds the maximum range allowed by the analog-to-digital converter, the signal will clip, resulting in poor quality.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a microphone configured to route audio signals to each available interface to record low-distortion, high-dynamic range audio that exceeds that of a single analog-to-digital converter. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates generally to the field of microphones, and more particularly to a microphone having a dual connector including an analog connector and a digital port. Advantageously, the microphone can be configured to connect to a variety of host devices and can facilitate functioning as a USB-C microphone via the digital port to produce improved audio signal recordings.

[0008] In one aspect, the microphone may include an insert having an XLR connector. The insert may include a cutout configured to receive a Type-C USB port. In particular, the cutout may be positioned such that the Type-C USB port is positioned vertically directly adjacent to or between one or more pins of the analog connector. A grounding bracket may be configured to couple to one or more pins of the analog connector. The grounding bracket may be secured to the insert via a grounding screw.

[0009] Additionally, the microphone may include a printed circuit board (PCB) secured between the analog connector and the digital connector. The PCB may be a double-sided printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface. The PCB may include switching circuitry for selectively powering the microphone circuitry or the capsule. Additionally, the PCB may include processing circuitry for generating an output signal.

[0010] Additionally, the processing circuitry may include a microprocessor for performing audio signal processing to improve the sound and performance of the microphone when connected to a host device via a digital port. Specifically, the processing circuitry may be configured to split the audio signal into two or more processed signals. Each processed signal may correspond to a fixed decibel level offset of the audio received by the microphone capsule. For example, the audio may be split into four processed signals, resulting in each processed signal having a fixed decibel level offset between 0 dB and approximately 60 dB.

[0011] In another aspect, the microphone may be configured to monitor audio samples according to a sampling interval or sampling frequency. In particular, the processing circuitry may be configured to monitor each processed signal to detect a highest gain processed signal having the best available signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, the processing circuitry may be configured to selectively switch between two or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) based on an ideal gain processed signal (corresponding to a signal having the highest signal-to-noise ratio without overload or clipping).

[0012] By monitoring the lowest gain signal, the processing circuitry can facilitate monitoring the signal for a given sampled audio section, such as an 8-sample sampling interval, with the goal of switching to the "highest" gain ADC that is not clipping. In other words, the higher the gain level, the processing circuitry is configured to determine the signal farthest from the noise floor, thereby providing the best signal-to-noise ratio available for that audio sample. The processing circuitry may then combine or combine the samples so that the signals are always at the ideal signal-to-noise ratio. For example, a whispered input may result in the highest gain signal being selected and therefore matching the input signal, while a jet engine may receive the lowest gain signal, which therefore did not clip.

[0013] More specifically, the processing circuitry may be configured to select an ADC to generate a digital signal of the processed audio sample. To select the ADC, the processing circuitry may monitor the lowest-gain processed signal because it is likely to have the largest signal headroom, thereby predicting the signal with the highest gain without clipping or distortion, i.e., the highest signal-to-noise ratio. The processing circuitry may then seamlessly switch between the generated digital signals from the ADCs for each audio sample and combine the generated digital signals by selecting an ideal ADC for each audio sample for reconstruction. Furthermore, the processing circuitry may be configured to apply an appropriate digital gain offset to compensate for analog gain differences between each ADC input.

[0014] When the digital signals from the corresponding ADCs are combined, the microphones may be configured to generate an output signal that is a 32-bit floating-point recording or audio stream that facilitates restoring clipped recordings without distortion and capturing a wide dynamic range, for example, reducing the need for gain adjustments and avoiding culling due to double recording in post-production.

[0015] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure may relate to a retrofit kit for a microphone or other audio device. The retrofit kit may include an XLR connector and a Type-C USB port. The USB port may be positioned vertically directly adjacent to or between one or more pins of the XLR connector. Additionally, a grounding bracket may be configured to couple with the pins of the XLR port and be secured via a grounding screw.

[0016] As disclosed above, the retrofit kit can include a PCB secured between the XLR connector and the Type-C USB port. The PCB can include switching circuitry for selectively powering the capsule or other electronics and processing circuitry for generating an output signal. Advantageously, the retrofit kit can facilitate updating a microphone or other audio device to function as a USB-C microphone to generate improved audio signal recordings, such as 32-bit floating-point recordings.

[0017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments disclosed, but rather the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0018] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate similar elements and in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary microphone coupled to a digital interface. [Figure 2] 2 shows the microphone of FIG. 1 coupled to an analog interface. [Figure 3] 2 shows the microphone of FIG. 1 including a Type-C USB port positioned directly adjacent to the pins of the XLR connector. [Figure 4] 2 shows the microphone of FIG. 1 including a Type-C USB port positioned between the pins of the XLR connector. [Figure 5] 2 shows an exploded view of the microphone of FIG. 1 including an L-shaped ground bracket. [Figure 6] 2 shows an exploded view of the microphone of FIG. 1 including a curved ground bracket. [Figure 7]6 shows a side view of the microphone housing of FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 6 shows a side view of the components of the microphone of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] 6 shows a front view of the ground screw and housing of the microphone of FIG. 5. [Figure 10] 6 shows a front view of the microphone insert and housing of FIG. 5. [Figure 11] 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the insert and housing of FIG. 10. [Figure 12] 12 shows an enlarged view of the insert and housing of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 7 shows a side view of the microphone housing of FIG. 6. [Figure 14] 7 shows a side view of the components of the microphone of FIG. 6. [Figure 15] 7 shows a front view of the ground screw and housing of the microphone of FIG. 6. [Figure 16] 7 shows a front view of the microphone insert and housing of FIG. 6. [Figure 17] 17 shows a cross-sectional view of the insert and housing of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] 18 shows an enlarged view of the insert and housing of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 2 illustrates an exemplary power supply circuit for the microphone of FIG. 1. [Figure 20] 2 shows an exemplary block circuit diagram of the microphone of FIG. 1; [Figure 21] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation for generating an output signal, such as a 32-bit floating point record. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] The present invention relates generally to the field of microphone connectors, and more particularly to a dual connector including an analog connector and a digital port. The digital port can be positioned directly adjacent to the analog connector or within the analog connector. For example, a Type-C USB port can be positioned directly above one or more pins of an XLR connector or between one or more pins of an XLR connector. Advantageously, the microphone may be configured to interface with a variety of host devices and facilitate functioning as a USB-C microphone via the digital port for generating an improved output signal, such as 32-bit floating-point recording.

[0021] Turning now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like components, Figures 1-4 show an exemplary microphone 100. As shown, microphone 100 may include a capsule 102, a printed circuit board 104, and a housing assembly 106. It is contemplated that microphone 100 may be any type of microphone, including, for example, a capacitor or condenser, dynamic, carbon, piezoelectric, liquid, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) or silicon, laser, or speaker microphone.

[0022] The capsule 102 of the microphone 100 may include, for example, an array of field effect transistors to achieve low noise. Additionally, the capsule 102 may be electrically connected to one or more audio interfaces via a PCB 104, as described in more detail below.

[0023] Additionally, capsule 102 can be configured to convert sound waves into an electrical signal. Although not shown, capsule 102 can include a flexible diaphragm and an insulated electrode called a backplate. The diaphragm and backplate form the two plates of a capacitor, which has a very small but well-defined capacitance in the absence of sound waves. When sound waves displace the diaphragm, the capacitance either increases or decreases from its rest value, depending on whether the sound waves push the diaphragm toward the backplate or deflect it away from the backplate.

[0024] Housing 106 may be cylindrical and may further include a downwardly extending threaded portion 107, which may be configured to mate with corresponding threads on, for example, a stand, tripod, suspension mount, or the like. Additionally, housing 106 may include an opening 108 configured to receive an insert 109 including one or more connectors, as described in more detail below. The radius of insert 109 may be between about 5 millimeters and about 15 millimeters, preferably between about 7 millimeters and about 9 millimeters. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , microphone 100 may be configured to facilitate connection with various devices, such as via a digital cable 110 and / or an analog cable 112.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 3-4 , microphone 100 may include two or more audio interfaces. The audio interfaces may include a digital port 114 and an analog connector 116. Digital port 114 may include, for example, a USB Type-C connector, a USB Mini connector, an RCA connector, a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, a DisplayPort connector, etc. Analog connector 116 may include, for example, a Tip-Sleeve (TS) connector, a Tip-Ring-Sleeve (TRS) connector, a Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve (TRRS) connector, an RCA connector, an analog XLR connector, or a digital XLR connector, etc. The audio interface may facilitate transmission of audio signals, such as analog or digital frequencies, to a host device, such as a camera, a computer, an audio mixer, a tablet, or a mobile device.

[0026] The digital port 114 is preferably a Type-C USB port 118, and the analog connector is preferably a 3-pin external line return (XLR) connector 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the USB Type-C port 118 can be configured to be positioned directly adjacent to one or more pins of the XLR connector 120. For example, the USB Type-C port 118 can be positioned above the top two pins of the XLR connector 120 within the mounting component 108. As shown in FIG. 4, the USB Type-C port 118 can be positioned vertically between the pins of the XLR connector 120 within the mounting component 108. The distance between one or more pins of the XLR connector 120 and the USB Type-C port 118 can range between about 1 millimeter and about 5 millimeters, preferably between about 2 millimeters and about 4 millimeters.

[0027] 5-18 show additional details of microphone 100. As shown, XLR connector 120 may have three conductive contact pins 122a, 122b, and 122c held in place by insert 109. Contact pins 122a, 122b, and 122c may correspond to contact pin 1, contact pin 2, and contact pin 3, respectively. These pin numbers may be used to designate pin locations on the connector, as known in the art. For example, contact pin 1 may be for connecting to ground, contact pin 2 may be for connecting to the positive polarity of the audio circuit, and contact pin 3 may be for connecting to the negative polarity of the audio circuit. While XLR connector 120 is shown as having three pins, XLR connectors with other pin counts are contemplated, such as XLR connectors with four, five, six, or seven pins.

[0028] The insert 109 may further include solder cups 124a, 124b, and 124c, which may be part of the contact pins 122a, 122b, and 122c, respectively, and protrude from a rear surface of the insert 109. The solder cups 124a, 124b, and 124c may be configured to electrically couple with the PCB 104, as described in more detail below.

[0029] 5-18 further illustrate different configurations of the grounding bracket 126. As shown, the grounding bracket can be configured to mate with one or more pins of the XLR connector 120. The grounding bracket 126 can include a pin-receiving section 128, such as a slot, hole, or other receptacle. The pin-receiving section 128 can be tapered, curved, or outwardly biased to ensure a good electrical connection.

[0030] 5 and 7-12, the cross section of the grounding bracket 126 may be substantially L-shaped. In particular, the grounding bracket 126 may include a first leg 130 extending transversely relative to a second leg 132. As shown, the first leg 130 may be coupled to the grounding pin 122a via a pin receiving section 128, and the second leg 132 may engage a side surface 111 of the insert 109 to secure the grounding bracket 126 to the housing 106 via a ground screw 134.

[0031] 6 and the configurations of FIGS. 13-18, the grounding bracket 126 can include a first leg 126 or contact portion 136 and a curved portion 138. As shown, the contact portion 136 can be coupled to the grounding pin 122a via the pin receiving section 128, and the curved portion can extend transversely to the contact portion to engage the side surface 111 and curve upward toward the top surface 113 of the insert 109 for securing the grounding bracket 126 to the housing 106 via the grounding screw 134.

[0032] Additionally, insert 109 may include cutout 140. While cutout 140 is shown in Figures 5-6 as being directly horizontally above and adjacent to contact pins 122a, 122b, it is contemplated that cutout 140 may be positioned vertically between contact pins 122a, 122b, 122c (Figure 4). Cutout 140 is adapted to receive USB Type-C port 118 electrically coupled to PCB 104.

[0033] As shown, the PCB 104 may be secured between the Type-C USB port 118 and the analog connector 120. More specifically, the PCB 104 may be a dual-surface mounted flexible printed circuit board. The PCB 104 may include a first surface 142 and an opposing second surface 144. Both surfaces 142, 144 may include electronic components mounted thereon, as described in more detail below. The present disclosure contemplates that the electronic components on the first surface 142 may be the same as the electronic components on the second surface 144, although the electronic components on each surface are different.

[0034] The first surface 142 may include a USB Type-C port 118 mounted thereon. The USB Type-C port 118 may allow connection to USB devices in multiple cable orientations. The port 118 may be a multimode port capable of supporting multiple different protocols. The pins included in the USB Type-C port 118 may include SuperSpeed ​​pins, USB 2.0 pins, Auxiliary pins, Power pins, Ground pins, and Configuration channel (CC) pins. The SuperSpeed ​​signals may be used to implement USB 3.1 signaling, and the USB 2.0 pins may be used to implement USB 2.0 functionality. The Auxiliary Signal pins may be used for sideband signaling. The CC pins may be used to detect connection, determine plug orientation, and facilitate baseband communication. The Power pin may be configured to provide power for standard USB operation, system operation, battery charging, or power an active cable. The Ground pin may include a ground return current path.

[0035] 5-18 , the second surface 144 may also include a housing column 146. More specifically, the housing column 146 may extend vertically downward from the second surface 144 and then bend parallel to the second surface to form a substantially L-shape. Additionally, the housing column 146 may include through holes positioned to respectively receive each of the solder cups 124 a, 124 b, or 124 c protruding from the rear surface 114 of the insert 109 to electrically couple the XLR connector 120 to the PCB 104.

[0036] As mentioned above, the housing 106 may include an opening 108 configured to receive the PCB 104 and the insert 109. As further shown in Figures 5 and 6, the housing 106 may include an aperture 148 adapted to receive the ground screw 134. More specifically, the insert 109 may be secured to the housing 106 via the ground screw 134 inserted into the aperture 148 and aligned to connect or engage with the ground bracket 126.

[0037] 5 and 7-12, an aperture 148 may be positioned in a side of the housing 106. The ground screw 134 may be inserted through the aperture 148 to engage the second leg 132 of the ground bracket 126. Additionally, the side 111 of the insert 109 may include a notch 150 adapted to receive and support the end of the ground screw 134.

[0038] Alternatively, as shown in the configurations of Figures 6 and 13-18, aperture 148 may be positioned on the top of housing 106. Ground screw 134 may be inserted through the aperture to engage curved portion 138 of ground bracket 126. In this configuration, top surface 113 of insert 109 may include a notch 150 for receiving and supporting the end of ground screw 134. Although not shown, it is further contemplated that the housing may include more than one aperture for securing more than one ground screw to insert 109.

[0039] It is further contemplated that kits may be provided for incorporating certain features and components disclosed above into other microphones or audio devices. For example, the other microphones or audio devices may lack one or more interfaces, PCBs, and / or other features disclosed herein. For example, the kit may include insert 109, digital port 114, analog connector 116, and grounding bracket 126. In one aspect, the kit may include Type-C USB port 118, XLR connector 120, and PCB 104. It is further contemplated that the kit may include housing 106 or another casing configured to attach and secure to the microphone or audio device. The kit may also include all necessary wiring, mounts, cables, fasteners, and other hardware required to install the kit components.

[0040] FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary power supply circuit 200 for microphone 100. Power supply circuit 200 may include one or more semiconductors, such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS). Although not shown, microphone 100 may include one or more switching circuits configured to switch from a normally closed position to a normally open position to facilitate changing between operational configurations of microphone 100. For example, as shown, switching circuit 202 may be configured to switch between a first configuration 204 and a second configuration 206 of microphone 100. First configuration 204 may correspond to connecting microphone 100 to a host device via analog connector 116. Second configuration 206 may correspond to connecting microphone 100 to a host device via digital port 114.

[0041] As shown, a first configuration 204 corresponds to connecting the microphone 100 to a host device via the XLR connector 120. In this configuration, the capsule 102 of the microphone 100 may be powered by a phantom power supply 208. For example, the capsule 102 may be powered by a standard 48 volt DC power supply provided to the microphone 100 from the host device as a bias voltage 210. It is further contemplated that the bias voltage of the actual capsule itself may be anywhere from 3-5 volts for an electret capsule to 200 volts for a measurement microphone, depending on the capsule type. As shown, the circuit 200 is then configured to distribute the power supply to the other components of the microphone 100.

[0042] When microphone 100 detects that it is connected to a host device via digital port 114, such as Type-C USB port 118, the state of circuit 200 may be changed from a first configuration 204, e.g., a normally closed configuration, to a second configuration 206, e.g., a normally open configuration. In this configuration, power conditioner 212 may be configured to generate separate bias voltages for application to capsule 102 and other components of microphone 100, as described in more detail below.

[0043] 20 shows an example circuit block diagram 300 of microphone 100. As shown, in addition to power supply 200 and bias voltage 210, microphone 100 may include processing circuitry 300 and microphone circuitry 302. Microphone circuitry 302 may include, for example, one or more transistors, resistors, and capacitors configured to convert audio signals received from a microphone capsule, such as capsule 102, into electrical signals for transmission to another device, such as via XLR connector 120.

[0044] As further shown in FIG. 20 , the processing circuit 300 may include one or more microphone preamplifiers 304, one or more passive attenuators 306, and a microprocessor 308. The preamplifiers 304 may be configured to amplify the audio signal by a fixed or variable amount. Each attenuator 306 may be configured to reduce the gain level by a fixed or variable amount. The microprocessor 308 may be a digital signal processor (DSP) configured to process the audio signal. Further, as shown, the microprocessor 308 may include one or more analog-to-digital (ADC) converters 310. The number of ADC converters may correspond to the number of channels available per audio source. While four ADC converters 310 are shown, the same operations disclosed herein can be applied to any ADC codec having two or more channels per input audio source.

[0045] 21 is a flowchart 400 illustrating steps in an exemplary operation of microphone 100. Operation begins at step 402, where microphone 100 detects a connection to a host device such as a preamplifier, mixer, audio interface, speaker, computer, mobile device, tablet, etc. At decision step 404, microphone 100 determines whether the connection is through a digital port 114, such as a Type-C USB port 118.

[0046] If, at decision step 404, the connection is not through the Type-C USB port 118, then, at step 406, the capsule 102 of the microphone 100 may obtain power from the host device through an analog connector 120, such as the XLR connector 116. For example, standard 48 volts DC power may be generated and applied to the capsule 102. At step 408, the capsule 102 may be configured to receive audio, which may be routed directly to the XLR connector 116 for output at step 410.

[0047] If, in decision step 404, the connection is via Type-C USB port 118, then, in step 412, microphone 100 can obtain power from the host device. In step 413, a separate bias voltage may be generated and applied to capsule 102. In step 414, capsule 102 is configured to receive audio. In step 416, the audio is routed to processing circuitry 300 to improve the sound and performance of the audio. In particular, processing circuitry 300 may be configured to split the audio signal into two or more processed signals, each corresponding to a fixed decibel (dB) level offset of the audio signal. For example, the audio signal may be split into four audio signals based on a codec with four channels available per input audio. Furthermore, each processed signal is offset according to a fixed decibel level ranging between zero decibels and approximately 60 decibels.

[0048] In step 418, microphone 100 may be configured to simultaneously monitor each processed signal to find the optimal gain signal. The monitoring may be performed according to a predetermined sampling interval, such as every eight samples. The term sampling interval may refer to the number of samples within each interval used to determine the optimal gain signal available, which corresponds to the signal with the highest signal-to-noise ratio, that is, the signal with the highest gain that is not distorted or clipped.

[0049] In step 420, for each sample of audio, microphone 100 may be configured to seamlessly and selectively switch between two or more ADC converters. More specifically, microphone 100 may select an ADC from two or more ADC converters to generate a digital signal based on an optimal gain processed signal monitored at a predetermined sampling interval. The highest gain processed signal may be selected because it has the highest signal-to-noise ratio.

[0050] In step 422, the microphone 100 may be configured to combine the digital signals generated from two or more ADCs to generate an output signal. The output signal may be a 32-bit floating-point audio stream. 32-bit floating-point recording may facilitate restoring clipped recordings greater than 0 dB relative to full scale with zero distortion. Furthermore, the output 32-bit floating-point recording signal may be configured to capture a dynamic range of up to 1528 dB. This large dynamic range may reduce the need for real-time gain adjustments and avoid sifting through double recordings in post-production to find unclipped tracks. In step 424, the 32-bit floating-point audio stream may be routed to a digital port, such as the Type-C USB port 114.

[0051] Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It should be understood that the forms of the invention shown and described herein are to be taken as exemplary embodiments. Components may be substituted for those shown and described herein, parts and processes may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention. Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. a capsule configured to receive an audio signal; an analog connector including one or more pins; a ground bracket coupled to the one or more pins of the analog connector; a digital port configured to be positioned directly adjacent to or vertically between the one or more pins of the analog connector; a printed circuit board secured between the analog connector and the digital port, the printed circuit board including processing circuitry for generating an output signal; A microphone comprising:

2. 2. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the analog connector is a three-pin connector including a ground pin, a positive pin, and a negative pin.

3. The microphone of claim 2 , wherein the grounding bracket is connected to the grounding pin and secured via a grounding screw.

4. The microphone of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to split the audio signal into two or more processed signals, each processed signal corresponding to a fixed decibel level offset of the audio signal.

5. 5. The microphone of claim 4, wherein the audio signal is split into four processed signals, and the fixed decibel level offset of each processed signal is between about 0 dB and about 60 dB.

6. The microphone of claim 4 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to monitor samples of each processed signal according to a sampling interval to detect an optimal gain processed signal.

7. further comprising two or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); 7. The microphone of claim 6, wherein for each sample, the processing circuitry is configured to selectively switch between the two or more ADCs, a selected ADC corresponding to the optimal gain processed signal, and the selected ADC is configured to generate a digital signal.

8. The microphone of claim 7 , wherein the processing circuitry combines the digital signals produced by the two or more ADCs to produce the output signal.

9. 9. The microphone of claim 8, wherein the output signal is a 32-bit floating point audio stream.

10. 2. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is a double-sided printed circuit board having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface corresponding to the analog connector and the second surface corresponding to the digital port.

11. The microphone of claim 1 , wherein the printed circuit board further comprises a switching circuit for selectively powering the capsule.

12. 2. The microphone of claim 1, wherein the digital port is a USB Type-C connector.

13. A retrofit kit for a microphone or other audio equipment, comprising: an XLR connector including one or more pins; a ground bracket coupled to the one or more pins of the XLR connector; a Type-C USB port configured to be positioned directly adjacent to the one or more pins of the analog connector or vertically between the one or more pins of the XLR connector; a printed circuit board fixed between the XLR connector and the Type-C USB port, the printed circuit board including switching circuitry for selectively powering the capsule and processing circuitry for generating an output signal; A modification kit that includes:

14. The kit of claim 13 , wherein the grounding bracket is connected to the grounding pin and secured via a grounding screw.

15. 14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to split the audio signal into two or more processed signals, each processed signal corresponding to a fixed decibel level offset of the audio signal.

16. 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the audio signal is split into four processed signals, and the fixed decibel level offset of each processed signal is between about 0 dB and about 60 dB.

17. 16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to monitor samples of each processed signal according to a sampling frequency to detect an optimal processing gain signal.

18. further comprising two or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs); 18. The kit of claim 17, wherein for each sample, the processing circuitry is configured to selectively switch between the two or more ADCs, the selected ADC being configured to generate a digital signal corresponding to the optimal gain signal.

19. 20. The kit of claim 18, wherein the processing circuitry combines the digital signals produced by the two or more ADCs to generate the output signal.

20. 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein the output signal is a 32-bit floating point audio stream.

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