In Details
Sound is an amazing thing. All of the different noises we hear are caused by minute pressure differences in the air around us.
What’s amazing about it is that the air transmits those pressure changes so well — and so accurately — over relatively long distances.
The very first microphone was a metal diaphragm attached to a needle, and this needle scratched a pattern onto a piece of metal foil. The pressure differences in the air that occurred when someone spoke toward the diaphragm moved the diaphragm, which moved the needle, which then recorded on the foil. When the needle was later run back over the foil, the vibrations scratched on the foil would then move the diaphragm and re-create the sound. The fact that this purely mechanical system works shows how much energy the vibrations in the air can have.
All modern microphones are trying to accomplish the same thing as the original, but do it electronically rather than mechanically. A microphone wants to take varying pressure waves in the air and convert them into varying electrical signals.
There are several different technologies commonly used to accomplish this conversion.
Condenser microphone
This are essentially a capacitor, with one plate of the capacitor moving in response to sound waves. The movement changes the capacitance of the capacitor, and these changes are amplified to create a measurable signal. Condenser microphones are among the most used today, their use vary from karaoke to recording studios. They require phantom power, (a charge from a battery or a power supplier integrated on an amplifier or on the microphone input.).
If a customer is looking to record sound that’s located in front of and on the sides of the mic — but not behind it — thecardioid microphone is the right one to go with.
A polar plot of the gain for cardioid is heart-shaped (hence the name), with the highest sensitivity located directly in front of the mic, and slightly less on the sides. Because of this, cardioid mics are ideal for recording live performances without capturing too much crowd noise, and many handheld microphones used to amplify vocals are cardioid mics.
Electret microphones
This are among the most widely used microphones on Earth. Because they’re cheap and relatively simple, electret mics are used in cell phones, computers and hands-free headsets.
An electret microphone is a type of condenser microphone in which the external charge is replaced with an electret material, which by definition is permanently in a state of electric polarization.
Some Electret mics still require phantom power, generally a small battery will be needed, (SR44 in some cases).
Dynamic microphones
take advantage of electromagnet effects. When a magnet moves past a wire (or coil of wire), the magnet induces current to flow in the wire. In a dynamic microphone, the diaphragm moves either a magnet or a coil when sound waves hit the diaphragm, and the movement creates a small current. This Microphones are among the best for on stage use.
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