an introduction to microphone

An introduction to MicrophonesBy Iman Putra Fattah

What is a Microphone?

What is a Microphone?Microphones are a type of transducer - a d e v i c e w h i c h converts energy from one form to another.

What is a Microphone?Microphones are a type of transducer - a d e v i c e w h i c h converts energy from one form to another.

What is a Microphone?Microphones are a type of transducer - a d e v i c e w h i c h converts energy from one form to another.

Different types of microphone have different ways of converting energy but they all share one thing in common: The diaphragm.

There are two types of microphones commonly used in today’s recording :

Dynamic Microphones

There are two types of microphones commonly used in today’s recording :

Dynamic MicrophonesCondenser Microphones

There are two types of microphones commonly used in today’s recording :

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic MicrophonesUse a simple design with few moving parts.

Dynamic MicrophonesUse a simple design with few moving parts.

Relatively sturdy and resilient to rough handling.

Dynamic MicrophonesUse a simple design with few moving parts.

Relatively sturdy and resilient to rough handling.

Better suited to handling high volume levels, such as from certain musical instruments or amplifiers.

Dynamic MicrophonesUse a simple design with few moving parts.

Relatively sturdy and resilient to rough handling.

Better suited to handling high volume levels, such as from certain musical instruments or amplifiers.

They have no internal amplifier and do not require batteries or external power.

Dynamic MicrophonesUse a simple design with few moving parts.

Relatively sturdy and resilient to rough handling.

Better suited to handling high volume levels, such as from certain musical instruments or amplifiers.

They have no internal amplifier and do not require batteries or external power.

Dynamic microphones are versatile and ideal for general-purpose use.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic MicrophonesShure SM 58 Sennheiser e906

Condenser Microphones

Condenser MicrophonesCondenser means capacitor, an electronic component which stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field.

Condenser MicrophonesCondenser means capacitor, an electronic component which stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field.

Condenser microphones require power from a battery or external source.

Condenser MicrophonesCondenser means capacitor, an electronic component which stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field.

Condenser microphones require power from a battery or external source.

The resulting audio signal is stronger signal than that from a dynamic.

Condenser MicrophonesCondenser means capacitor, an electronic component which stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field.

Condenser microphones require power from a battery or external source.

The resulting audio signal is stronger signal than that from a dynamic.

Condensers also tend to be more sensitive and responsive than dynamics, making them well-suited to capturing subtle nuances in a sound.

Condenser MicrophonesCondenser means capacitor, an electronic component which stores energy in the form of an electrostatic field.

Condenser microphones require power from a battery or external source.

The resulting audio signal is stronger signal than that from a dynamic.

Condensers also tend to be more sensitive and responsive than dynamics, making them well-suited to capturing subtle nuances in a sound.

They are not ideal for high-volume work, as their sensitivity makes them prone to distort.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser Microphones

Condenser MicrophonesNeumann U87 AKG C 414

Directional PropertiesEvery microphone has a property known as directionality.

The types of directionality (Polar Patern) are divided into three main categories:

The types of directionality (Polar Patern) are divided into three main categories:

• Omnidirectional

The types of directionality (Polar Patern) are divided into three main categories:

• Omnidirectional• Unidirectional

The types of directionality (Polar Patern) are divided into three main categories:

• Omnidirectional• Unidirectional• Bidirectional

The types of directionality (Polar Patern) are divided into three main categories:

• Omnidirectional• Unidirectional• Bidirectional

Omnidirectional

Omnidirectional

Captures sound equally from all directions.

Unidirectional (Cardioid)

Unidirectional (Cardioid)

Sound is picked up mostly from the front, but to a lesser extent the sides as well.

Unidirectional (Hypercardioid)

Unidirectional (Hypercardioid)

This is exaggerated version of the cardioid pattern.

Bidirectional

Bidirectional

Uses a figure-of-eight pattern and picks up sound equally from two opposite directions.

Condenser VS DynamicCondenser microphones generally have flatter f requency responses than dynamic.

Thank youFurther reading : http://www.shure.com/americas/how-to/index.htm and http://microphonesx.com/Photography credits : Satria Ramadhan, Dimas Wisnuwardono & Iman Fattah.