Darth Maul Binaural Recording Head (work in progress)

[Midnight Audiophile]

Basic materials for the binaural recording head:

Silicon Ear Models: $24.21 (new on Amazon)

It took awhile to find some the right size and with a base I could work with. These are a good likeness of a real human ear with a nice canal and are the about the same size (65mm) as the ones BinauralEnthusiast.com sells for $99 to $139.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WGR78F7

FFXS PVC Mannequin Head: $26.50 (new on Amazon)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097T3Q7LZ

Sound Professionals MS-TFB-2 Ultra-Low Noise In-Ear Binaural Mics $76.79 (used on Amazon)

Frequency Range: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -32dB ±3dB @ 94dB SPL
S/N Ratio: 75dB
Maximum SPL at 12vdc: 120dB
Dynamic Range: 119dB, 1 kHz at Max SPL
Impedance: 2.2 kOhms
Voltage range – 2vdc – 12vdc
Current draw: 500 µA

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002IEWG3K

Total: $127.50

Darth Maul Model Mod:
Eyeballs Halloween Horror Props: $10.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0963TFZN2

I’m just using the center part of the yellow eyes. With a little extra red around the edges from a marker and they’re a good likeness for Maul’s. I’m going to use red thread splayed out and embedded in a gloss topcoat for the veins in his eyes.

Dental Acrylic Resin Denture Tooth Kit: $6.99

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Q3CSQ2Z

I used the foam insert from the package the ears came in to make channels for the ears inside the head:

I cut the ear holes in the silicon ears with the sharpened eraser end of a pencil, trimmed away the supports on the mics and mounted the eraser (cut in half) to the backs of the mics, then wrapped with a small bit of shrink-tubing. This makes a nice grip and also helps positions to position and hold them in the ear canal properly. I made channels on the back of the ears for the cords by using a woodburner.

 

[Midnight Audiophile]

I dyed the ears black with Revlon hair color. This is about the only effective way to dye silicon and is useful for coloring things like game controller buttons also.

I’m just going to pack the head tightly with poly-fill and the basic recording head part is done. The Darth Maul look is coming along and I’ll have it completely finished in a week or so. I used metal screws through the head as cores to build the horns. I’m using mainly JB Water Weld and Plastic Wood for the modeling part. I did build up the top of his head about an extra 1/2” using hot glue then covering with Water Weld.

Some reference for the horns:

The top of his head is basically done except for the horns. Note that the horns just above and in front of his ears are going to be made so that they are removable (1/4” 20 screw inserts) as to not interfere with headphones or the sound during recording.

Now I’m working on the eyes and will make my way down his face. Teeth are looking cruddy (just like Maul’s). I’ll do some final yellow and black touch-up with dry-brushing.

This is the look and expression I’m working towards for the model:

I’ll post the finished model here when it’s done!

 

[ryanosaur]

Won’t be horns create diffraction effects?

Very cool. Love to see the finished project!

 

[Midnight Audiophile]

Thanks! The side horns near his ears will be removable with (1/4" 20 threaded inserts). I could do them all that way but I don't think the top ones will mater too much. Wort case I'll know how Darth maul hears AC/DC : )