To effectively monitor and analyze the acoustic environment inside the hive, I realized that the microphone needed to be on its own dedicated board. This design decision allows for maximum flexibility, enabling me to position each microphone precisely where it's needed within the hive. With four microphones, each on its own board and connected to the main PCB, I can simultaneously record sound from multiple locations within the hive. This setup is essential for capturing a comprehensive sound profile, which will be invaluable for understanding hive health and behavior through acoustic analysis.

By isolating the microphones on separate boards, I ensured that the sound data collected is as accurate as possible, free from interference or noise that might arise from other components on the main PCB. This design also allows for easy repositioning and testing during the prototype phase, allowing me to experiment with different configurations to find the most effective setup for capturing the subtle sounds bees make. The result is a versatile and powerful tool for non-invasively monitoring the hive, providing critical insights without disturbing the bees.

The schematic and board design along with the connector are found under 'Files.'