MAX9814 Microphone Module with AGC Amplifier Board for Arduino ESP32 & Pico

The MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board is a compact analogue electret microphone preamp module built around the MAX9814 microphone amplifier IC. It is designed to capture sound through its onboard electret microphone and provide a conditioned analogue output that is easier for a microcontroller or ADC to read. The board supports automatic gain control, selectable maximum gain, and programmable attack/release behaviour, making it well suited to projects where sound levels vary.

The MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board is also known as a MAX9814 microphone module, MAX9814 mic amplifier module, MAX9814 electret microphone amplifier module, AGC microphone module, microphone preamp board, analogue microphone amplifier board, automatic gain control microphone board, electret mic breakout board.

Benefits of the MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board for Arduino, ESP32 and Pico Projects:

If you need cleaner, more usable microphone input for a low-voltage electronics project, this board is a practical choice. It combines an electret microphone, microphone bias, preamplification and automatic gain control in one compact module, helping simplify sound-input projects.

• Captures changing sound levels more effectively with built-in automatic gain control
• Helps reduce clipping on louder sounds while still lifting quieter audio
• Offers selectable 40dB, 50dB or 60dB maximum gain for easier project tuning
• Delivers an analogue output suitable for many microcontroller and ADC input stages
• Works well in Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi Pico builds that need microphone input
• Compact PCB format makes it easy to fit into prototypes, enclosures and robotics projects
• Useful for sound-reactive projects, voice detection experiments, audio monitoring and STEM builds
• Simplifies development by combining the microphone and amplifier stage on one board

Features of the MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board:

• Automatic gain control (AGC)
• Onboard electret microphone
• Selectable 40dB, 50dB and 60dB maximum gain
• Programmable attack and release ratio
• Analogue audio output
• Approx. 1.25V DC output bias
• Approx. 2Vpp maximum output
• 20Hz to 20kHz frequency range
• Low-noise microphone bias
• Low THD design
• Five-pin interface: Vdd, GND, Gain, Out, AR
• Compact PCB with two mounting holes

Applications for the MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board:

• Arduino sound input projects
• ESP32 microphone input projects
• Raspberry Pi Pico audio sensing
• Sound-reactive lighting and effects
• Voice activity and clap detection experiments
• Noise level monitoring projects
• Robotics with sound sensing
• Portable audio prototype builds
• Intercom and conferencing prototypes
• Karaoke and entertainment electronics
• STEM education and lab demonstrations
• General analogue microphone front-end experiments

Compatibility:

This board is designed to output an analogue microphone signal, not a digital audio stream such as USB, I2S or PDM. The module is described for use with an analogue pin on Arduino or other microcontrollers, and the output is typically around 2Vpp max with an average 1.25V DC bias, which suits many low-voltage ADC input stages when wired correctly.

It is best suited to development boards and controllers that can read an analogue voltage directly. That includes many Arduino boards with analogue inputs, ESP32 boards with ADC-capable pins, and Raspberry Pi Pico / RP2040-class microcontroller boards with onboard ADC support. Arduino’s official documentation covers analogRead(), ESP32’s official documentation confirms onboard ADC capability, and Raspberry Pi’s Pico documentation confirms ADC inputs on supported pins.

For Raspberry Pi computers such as the Pi 4 or Pi 5, the GPIO pins are digital rather than analogue, so you would normally add a separate ADC such as an MCP3008 or ADS1115 if you want to read this module properly.

The board is generally compatible with 3.3V and 5V hobby electronics ecosystems, but it remains important to match the output level and DC bias behaviour to your input circuit. If you are feeding a traditional line-level audio input instead of an ADC, a DC blocking capacitor is normally required because the module output sits on a DC offset.

The Gain and AR pins allow basic behaviour changes without changing the entire circuit. That makes the board useful for experimenting with quieter rooms, louder environments, or different response styles in voice and sound-reactive projects. 

Technical Specifications:

• Product Name: MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board
• Product Type: Analogue electret microphone amplifier module
• IC: MAX9814
• Microphone Type: Onboard electret microphone
• Output Type: Analogue audio output
• Supply Voltage: 2.7V to 5.5V DC
• Typical Use Voltage: 3.3V or 5V systems
• Output Level: Approx. 2Vpp max
• Output Bias / DC Offset: Approx. 1.25V average
• Frequency Range: 20Hz to 20kHz
• Automatic Gain Control: Yes
• Maximum Gain Settings: 40dB, 50dB, 60dB
• Gain Setting Method: Gain pin
• Attack / Release Options: 1:4000, 1:2000, 1:500
• Attack / Release Setting Method: AR pin
• AGC Hold Time: 30ms
• Low Input-Referred Noise Density: 30nV/√Hz
• THD: 0.04% typical
• Interface Pins: Vdd, GND, Gain, Out, AR
• Mounting Holes: 2
• Mounting Hole Diameter: Approx. 2mm
• PCB Dimensions: Approx. 25.4mm x 14.1mm
• Form Factor: Compact breakout board
• Applications: Arduino audio, ESP32 audio, Pico ADC, sound detection, voice sensing, robotics, STEM projects
• Included Accessory: 5-pin male header strip
• Header Format: Loose / unsoldered

Package Includes:

1x MAX9814 Microphone AGC Amplifier Board
1x 5-pin male header strip

*Does not include a: microcontroller board, Raspberry Pi computer, ADC module, breadboard, jumper wires, USB cable, power supply, audio jack adaptor, enclosure. The image is for illustrative purposes only. Due to variations in camera settings, lighting, manufacturing processes, monitors, and supply, colours may differ. Product appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice.

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