10 Types Of Microphones
A microphone transforms sound into a little electrical current. Sound waves force a diaphragm to vibrate, which in turn causes a magnet to be pushed toward coil. In other types, a magnet-enclosed coil oscillates. It is used for electronics tool kits like hearing aids, phones, public address systems for public gatherings, concert halls, motions pictures production, recorded and live audio engineering, sound recording, dual-way radios, television, and radio broadcasting, as well as voice recording, speech recognition, VoIP, and non-acoustic features like knock sensors or ultrasonic sensors with the use of audio and video cables. All modern microphones attempt to emulate the mechanical original, although electronically. Before you go out and buy microphones, this article will explain the many types of microphones translate air pressures variations in sound waves into electrical impulses.
Liquid Microphone
Alexander Graham Bell is credited with developing the liquid microphone. Ohm’s law, which states that the resistance of the circuit determines how much current flows via a wire, is the foundation of the theory underlying a liquid microphone, also known as a “water transmitter.” The sound waves generated by a human voice cause the diaphragm to vibrate. The water resistance varies as the needle or rod goes up and down in the water. It is what generates the alternating current in the circuit. For this to work, the water’s resistance must change noticeably across the short distance that the needle or rod vibrates. Simultaneous variations in the circuit’s resistance produce an audio signal.
Active Microphone
Active microphones need an external source of electricity to operate. Active microphones include inbuilt preamps, FETs, vacuum tubes, or A/D converters. Active condenser microphones are those that need external DC power to polarize their capsules. Phantom power, DC bias, a power supply, or a USB connection all offer external power.
Ambient Microphone
An ambient microphone is used to record background noise like crowd noise, reverberation, and field ambiance, which can be done with the help of audio and video. Omnidirectional or ambisonic microphones are frequently used in single ambient microphone setups. To capture stereo and surround sound ambiance, multiple mic setups are typical.
Carbon Microphone
A carbon mic works by pressing a capsule containing carbon granules between two metal plates to produce a signal (the diaphragm and the backplate). The granules are charged by a voltage applied across the plates. The output of the sliding diaphragm changing the pressure and resistance of the granules is a microscopic signal of poor quality. In the early years of the telephone, carbon microphones were the perfect choice of microphone. Because they produced a high output and required minimal amplification in telephone applications, they were frequently employed. Today, carbon microphones are mainly used in a very small number of specialized applications.
Fibre Optic Microphone
A fiber-optic microphone detects variations in light intensity on a reflecting diaphragm and translates changes into electrical impulses. Excellent dynamic and frequency ranges, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and resistance to heat and humidity are all features of fiber optic microphones. In highly specialized applications, such as infrasound monitoring and noise cancellation, fiber optic microphones are utilized. They have demonstrated particular use in medical applications. Law enforcement, high-fidelity recording, audio calibration and testing, and monitoring industrial equipment are among other uses.
Clone Microphone
A microphone clone is a device created to mimic the appearance and functionality of another, more well-known or older, microphone. Famous antique microphones that have been withdrawn from production are likely candidates for cloning. Similar to this, there are innumerable copies of the well-known Shure SM57 and SM58 on the market.
Dynamic Microphone
A dynamic microphone is a transducer that transforms sound energy into electrical energy using electromagnetic induction. To create a corresponding mic signal, a conductive device (voice coil or ribbon) either functions as a diaphragm or is linked to one and vibrates in a magnetic field. Because they are affordable, reliable, and don’t require a power source, dynamic microphones are frequently used in live sound.
Electret Condenser Microphone
An electret condenser microphone is condenser microphone that permanently polarizes parallel-plate capacitor capsule using electret material. Most computer, headset, lavalier, and mobile phone microphones, as well as sizable portion of professional microphones, use electret microphones. Since they can be used to capture virtually any instrument, condenser microphones are regarded as the most flexible recording studio microphones.
Ribbon Microphone
A ribbon microphone uses electromagnetic induction to transform sound energy into mic signals the narrow, conductive, corrugated ribbon-like diaphragm. Ribbon microphones are frequently bidirectional, low-output, highly accurate microphones with a small high-frequency roll-off. Almost anything may be recorded with ribbon mics, including guitars, brass, strings, drum overheads, and ambient ambiance.
Laser Microphone
A laser microphone is surveillance tool that listens for sound vibrations in faraway object using laser beam. It is possible to eavesdrop on it with little risk of discovered.
Shotgun Microphone
In addition to vlogs and occasionally YouTube videos, shotgun microphones are a type of microphone that is widely utilized in film and television production. Shotgun microphones may pick up sound from specific direction while excluding background noise since they are extremely directional.
Modular Microphone
A modular microphone comprises several components that may be connected to form a complete microphone, such as the capsule and the mic preamplifier. The replaceable components of modular mic systems provide them the ability to adjust the mic’s specs as needed.
USB Microphones
A USB cable is used by a USB microphone to digitally output the microphone signal. Internal analog-to-digital converters included in USB microphones effectively serve as audio interfaces. In the current digital age, USB microphones are a particularly popular option since they are frequently plug-and-play for usage with PCs.
Piezoelectric Microphone
When exposed to fluctuating pressure (sound waves), piezoelectric materials, often known as “crystals,” act as the transducer in piezoelectric microphones or “crystal microphones” (a “mic signal”). Piezoelectric crystals are robust, affordable, and offer a sizable electrical output. Because of this, they are frequently utilized in cell phones and portable sound systems.
Conclusion
Choosing the best microphone cables for purposes and price range might be challenging. At have unquestionably covered all the facts in piece that reader may want before purchasing microphones for particular electronics tool kits.