Found vintage microphone, seeking counsel

[Pingu]

The part of the university where I work are moving to another building, so they are giving a lot of random stuff away. I found this pen-sized mic between a birdhouse and a collection of Icelandic folklore.

It's bears the lovely name "Electret[sic] Condenser Mic", and was produced by Hosiden, a Japanese company who seem to be still among the living. At least they have a poorly spelled website.

Just judging by the design and font, I'd say it was made in the 60's or 70's.

It uses a LR1 battery.

The annoying/confusing part is that it uses a connector that looks just like a XLR one, except slightly smaller 

So I guess the question is, is there any way to connect this to my interface?

[Orang Goreng]

It's bears the lovely name "Electret[sic] Condenser Mic",

"Electret" is a type of condenser construction using a permanently polarised condenser, so it could at least theoretically work without phantom power (though it probably will need it for the pre-amp; although I read over the part where you said it uses a battery, that should suffice.). My Rode M3 uses an electret condenser.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electret

Mini XLR? http://www.okaphone.com/artikelen.asp?id=977&groep=492

[Pingu]

Ah, I just assumed it was a misspelling.

[Orang Goreng]

BTW, if it turns out NOT to be a mini XLR, I have in the past made connectors by simply sticking wires in the appropriate holes and then molding a plug from some type of artificial resin (acrylic dental cement in my case, but that may be hard to obtain).

[Pingu]

could also be  tuchel connector.

Please elaborate?

[Pingu]

The pins are round, so it's definitely not one of those, but many thanks for the help.

So I guess that makes it a mini-XLR, which means that I'm off scouring the internets for a mini-to-standard adapter.

[Pingu]

After further research I *think* have the model pinned down as a Hosiden KUF4723, which according to their website has a nice flat response with a big boost at around 12khz. Which doesn't really help, but it's interesting reading.

[Pingu]

They are? The holes don't look that round to me. Welly welly.

[Pingu]

This is probably the only time in my life I will find myself googling the diameter of a British one-pound coin. I cherish the moment. Turns out that it's 22.5mm, only slightler smaller than the Swedish krona's 25mm. Anyway, looks like it might be a Tuchel after all.

BTW, is there anything you don't have encyclopedic knowledge of? 

[ohm-men]

I "Think" Europe the "Tuchel connector" is often called "DIN" connector. It was also used on 60ties Framus guitars, and also on older 60ties and 70ties HI-Fi.
Just some variant on a Phone Jack.

Anyay, my Old '63 Framu Strato came with such a chord, DIN to connect to the guitar and a regular 1/4 phone jack to go in the amp.

[Pingu]

I thought DIN was only used for video? 

The plot thickens...

[Orang Goreng]

A lot of things are DIN ("German Industrial Norm"). It's a standard.

[Finefish]

Yeah, there sure are a lot of standards around, in all kinds of fields... Too many IMHO... 

[Orang Goreng]

Yes, it completely defeates the purpose of having standards, obviously .

[ohm-men]

Well, If you like I can take the Framus cable appart and take some pics of it.
The cable used is just regular cable with two plastic covered wires in a shield. This is also where the 3 lugs are for on the conector.
I'm pretty sure these are still relative easy to find. (Try a specialized Hi-Fi store) I'm sure with minimal soldering expirience and the correct connecter, you can make your own cable.
But, If the store is longer in arround, they might even have it in their inventory. I'm usually amazed what sores have in  their inventory. Also try an electronics suplier, they might have it as well.