Types of Microphones

1) DYNAMIC microphones are quite simple. The air pressure changes

produced by speaking into the microphone move a membrane which is
attached to a tiny copper wire coil, which is suspended over a permanent
magnet. The coil moving back and forth over the magnet produces a small
voltage, which is the audio signal. No external power or batteries are
required.
2) ELECTRET CONDENSER microphones work by placing a small metal
diaphragm close to an electrically-charged plate. When you speak into the
microphone, the metal diaphragm moves back and forth within the electrical
field of this charged plate. A tiny signal then appears at the output of the
microphone. This tiny signal needs to be further amplified in order to work
with a standard microphone input. Both the microphone itself and the preamplifier need power sources. These can be provided by a battery or by
another external power source.
3) UNIDIRECTIONAL, or "CARDIOID" microphones only pick up sound
from in front, while rejecting sounds from the back and sides. The
microphone is then said to have a "cardioid" polar pattern. The pattern is
heart shaped (hence the name - cardiod). Point a cardioid microphone at
your mouth and it "ignores" any sounds coming from behind the Mic. This
makes it possible to sing into it without picking up much from monitors or
an audience.
4) OMNIDIRECTIONAL microphones pick up sounds equally from all
directions. Such microphones are good at picking up multiple sound
sources and room ambience. Omnidirectional microphones are undesirable
for use with voice recognition packages, as environmental noise will
"confuse" the software.
CONDENSER vs. DYNAMIC:
The condenser mic converts sound waves into an audio signal via a condenser
(which must be electrically powered). A dynamic mic does the same thing with
a mechanical diaphragm (no power needed). Dynamic mics can take more
abuse, but the condenser mic will give a better sound. Use a dynamic for live
music or recording heavy stuff (distorted guitars). Use a condenser for
recording voice or instruments such as acoustic guitar, piano, etc.