CONCEPT AND TYPES

When people wish to communicate to a large

crowd or when they want to record sound, a
microphone is a valuable piece of equipment.
The microphone (sometimes called a "mike")
was first invented by Emile Berliner in 1877. 
However, Alexander Graham Bell was the first
person to develop it and make it useful.  Today,
microphones  are used in telephones, hearing
aids, radios, tape recorders, and television
broadcasting. 
 What is a microphone?

A device for turning acoustic power into

electric power is called a microphone.
Acoustic power is real sound waves. In other
words, it changes sound into an
electric signal. These signals are usually sent to
an amplifier or recording device. There are many
different brands and also different types. Still,
they all have one thing in common: they all use a
diaphragm .
This diaphragm is a thin part, sometimes made of
metal, that vibrates when sound goes to the
microphone. When the diaphragm shakes, it
causes the other parts of the microphone to
create signals.
 
What are the different types of microphones and
where are they used?

Dynamic:
The dynamic microphone has a thin diaphragm that
is hung by suspension wires.  It can break if the
wires become damaged. One bad thing about this
kind is that because it is less sensitive, it does not
pick up sounds as well. But it is great for live
performances and recordings that want to sound
like live performances. 
Patti Smith singing into a Shure SM58(dynamic
cardioid type) microphone..
Carbon microphone:
It is an old fashioned design, used on
the first telephones. It uses carbon dust
which is compressed into the middle of
the diaphragm. It makes electrical
signals when the sound waves pass
through the dust. It is still used on
many telephones.
 Ribbon  Microphone:
Ribbon microphones use a very thin metal wire
that is suspended in a magnetic field. When the
sound waves or vibrations hit the ribbon, the
ribbon vibrates and sends waves through the
magnetic field creating electric signals. Ribbon
microphones are very sensitive and usually used for
special recordings. They are very fragile and can
break easily when dropped.
Edmund Lowe using a ribbon microphone
 Condenser Microphone :
A condenser microphone has a diaphragm
separated by carbon that acts as a capacitor. A
capacitor is a thing that stores electric energy. So
don’t go around touching capacitors. The condenser
microphone stores and releases the electronic
signals when the diaphragm vibrates. They are very
sensitive and are used for voice. If you have a bad
voice, don’t use a condenser microphone, because
they pickup sounds as they really are
.
Inside the Oktava 319 condenser microphone
How are microphones powered?
The easiest most understandable power is
microphones that use batteries. Other microphones
are powered by the device that they are plugged
into. Often times when you see a microphone on a
stage, it is plugged into an amplifier. The amplifier is
plugged into the wall. This power then runs the
microphone. The last type of power is called
phantom power. This is power that runs from a
cable hooked up to a power pack just for the
microphone. Phantom power is for condenser
microphones.
What are pickup patterns?
A pickup pattern is the way a microphone picks up a
signal.
It is based on what direction the sound is getting to
the microphone .
omnidirectional:
 

This kind of microphone picks up sound from all

directions. These are used for group vocals and
recordings.
 Bi-directional:
It gets sound from two places. It is great for
recording two voices at the same time.
Unidirectional microphones:
It pickup sound from only one direction. They are
good for recording single voices. This makes them
good for interviews in places that are loud. Because
they can pickup from long distances, they are also
great for surveillance.
 What kinds of specialty microphones are
available?
Wireless microphones :are one kind of specialty
microphone. They contain an internal transmitter
that sends signals over radio waves to a receiver.

 Lavalier microphones :are another kind. They are

usually wireless, and they are small microphones
that can be clipped on a shirt.
Bass microphones:
have a very large diaphragm that makes a very loud
signal. They are usually used inside drums are rock
concerts.
 Pressure Zone microphones:
are a general purpose microphone that amplify
large sound sources like choirs or other large
groups.