| Article Index |
|---|
| A Brief Guide to Microphones |
| Dynamic Microphones |
| Condenser Microphones |
| Phantom Power |
| Other Microphones |
| All Pages |
Introduction
If microphones seem a mystery, a few minutes reading this guide may help clear up some misconceptions and assist you in understanding the differences between various microphone types and the advantages of important microphone features.
The fact is, microphones are really rather simple devices. And if you know the meaning of just a few key terms, you are well on your way to becoming a microphone expert. With this basic knowledge under your belt, it will be easier to select the right model for almost any application.
What a Microphone Does
Like phono cartridges, headphones and loudspeakers, the microphone is a transducer - in other words, an energy converter. It senses acoustic energy (sound) and translates it into equivalent electrical energy. Amplified and sent to a loudspeaker or
headphone, the sound picked up by the microphone transducer should emerge from the speaker transducer with no significant changes.
While there are many ways to convert sound into electrical energy, we'll concentrate on the two most popular methods: dynamic and condenser. These are the types of microphones most often found in recording studios, broadcast and motion picture production, home hi-fi and video recording, and on stages for live sound reinforcement.