amplifying mic signals in an arduino

i researched google quite a bit to get something to amplify the signals of a mic.
i have been thinking, what is the problem of using an op amp?
wont that work?

Op amp would be fine.
Use one that will work with a 0/5V supply, bring your mic in thru a capacitor to an input pin; use 2 10K resistors to have the pin sit at 2.5V.

please show me the breadboard view of the schematic with the ca3140 .
also, wont a simple transistor work?

harshvardhan:
please show me the breadboard view of the schematic with the ca3140 .
also, wont a simple transistor work?

Don't get greedy, it is such a simple circuit it will do you good to lay it out yourself.

No you can't get that much gain out of a single transistor.

You might consider buying an op-amp breakout board like this one for $5:

SparkFun OpAmp Breakout - LMV358 - BOB-09816 - SparkFun Electronics?

Or even better here is a breakout board with a Mic and a built-in amplifier for $8:

I used the latter successfully in an Arduino project that took Mic input, applied a ring modulator effect, and then played the output on a speaker. Here is a link with circuit diagrams and code:

Hope that helps.