Microphones

What is a microphone?
A microphone is an example of a transducer, a device that changes information from
one form to another. Sound information exists as patterns of air pressure; the
microphone changes this information into patterns of electric current. Sound waves
cause movement of a thin metallic diaphragm and an attached coil of wire. A magnet
produces a magnetic field which surrounds the coil, and motion of the coil within this
field causes current to flow.

Dynamic Condenser

Dynamic microphones are robust, relatively In a condenser microphone, also known as

inexpensive and resistant to moisture. They a capacitor microphone, the diaphragm acts
include a windshield that the sound enters as one plate of a capacitor, and the
through, reducing popping and excess wind vibrations produce changes in the distance
being captured. A single dynamic between the plates. This acts as a
membrane will not respond to all audio diaphragm, which vibrates due to the sound
frequencies. Some microphones for this waves. Changing the capacitance. A
reason utilize multiple membranes for the voltage is required across the capacitor for
different parts of the audio spectrum and this to work. This voltage is supplied either
then combine the resulting signals. This is by a battery in the microphone or by
an unusual design and is usually external phantom power.
expensive. However many microphones are
designed to pick up certain frequencies Electret microphones use a special type of
within the audio spectrum, e.g. different capacitor which has a permanent voltage
microphones from bass, treble and high built in during manufacture. These do not
end sounds, to get best results. The shape need power, however many include
of the microphone defines its directivity. Thepreamp’s which do.
inner components are majorly important to
the sound captured by a microphone.
Which microphone for which job?

Voice:

The most common choice of microphone for vocal recording is the condenser; however
on stage, dynamic microphones are used as they are much more robust.

Microphones like the AKG C1000S large diaphragm condenser are generally the choice
for studio vocals. These types usually give a warmer sound to the voice or instrument it
is recording. However they do not pick up as wide a frequency range and at such a high
speed as small-diaphragm condensers.

Drums:

In many cases a coincident pair of cardioid condensers are used to pick up the stereo
image of all of the drums, or in some cases to pick up the toms and cymbals.
Sometimes referred to as pencil condensers due to their thin and elongated shape.

The bass drum needs a special type of super-cardioid dynamic microphone that can
stand up to vibration and high pressure from inside the bass drum itself. This
microphone is usually specialized as it has to have a high gain output, without creating
unwanted distortion or feedback. Speakers work in the same, but opposite way as
dynamic microphones. Usually without good quality or precision though. One use is for
bass drums, as demonstrated by the Yamaha "Subkick".

The toms and snare also usually use

specialized microphones that pick up
frequencies in the range of 50~16000
Hz. For this application, dynamics are
needed as there is a chance that they
could be hit by the drummer’s sticks.
And they must be a special shape to
fit small adjustable and shock
resistant rim clips.

Guitars:

When recording an amplified guitar via a microphone, one of the most important things
to consider is the volume. In most cases, there is no need to crank up the volume, but if
you did some condensers may be damaged by the high pressure air waves. Although, to
get best results a condenser would be best to pick up the wide range of frequencies and
tones that a guitar produces (especially when using effects.)