How does the microphone work?

To strengthen the sound frequencies and qualitativelytransmit sound information to any distance, a device such as a microphone is used. The modern market is represented by a large number of modifications and brands of microphones. The mechanical-electrical part - the basis of any microphone - directly affects how the microphone works.

Types of microphones

Regardless of the model, a microphone of any designconsists of two systems: acoustic-mechanical and mechanical-electric. To understand how the microphone works, let's look at the most popular types of microphones.

• Carbon microphone. Appeared relatively long ago, until today actively disseminated, in particular, in telephone communications. Such a microphone is highly sensitive, but unstable in operation. The noise characteristic for a microphone is due to the large unevenness of the frequency response and significant nonlinear distortion. At the heart of its action is a change in the resistance between the grains of coal powder, which arise when the pressure changes on their totality.
• Electromagnetic microphone. It is considered quite stable, but with a narrow frequency range, an uneven frequency and, correspondingly, nonlinear distortions. The principle of the microphone is influenced by the vibrations of the ferromagnetic diaphragm, which occur under the influence of sound, which contribute to the appearance of magnetic flux and alternating voltage on the winding and, as a result, the output signal of the microphone.
• Electrodynamic microphone. Used to amplify sound and directly sound. It is characterized by a fairly wide frequency range and low frequency unevenness. Two of its modifications are known: reel and ribbon. When the sound is applied to the diaphragm of the moving coil, an oscillation occurs, as a result of which a voltage appears in the turns of the coil, which affects the output signal of the microphone.
• Condenser microphone. Used to create high-frequency sounds, the most common thing is considered to be condenser microphones, which have very high qualities: a wide frequency range, low frequency irregularity, distortion, noise level and high sensitivity. Under the influence of the vibrations of the membrane, together with the frequency of the sound pressure, the capacity of the capacitor changes, which affects the appearance of a current of the same frequency and a decrease in the voltage, which is the output signal of the microphone. The amplifiers of all modern condenser microphones are structurally connected to the microphone itself, which affects the output impedance.
• A stereo microphone is enoughcommon device. At its core, it is a system of two microphones, combined in a constructive way in one housing and located one above the other. To record on the XY system, microphones with a cardioid orientation with 90 ° left and right microphones rotated relative to the acoustic axis are recommended. When writing MS for one of the microphones is characterized by a circular characteristic of the direction, and the second - a cosine.

Now you know how the various microphones work. This will allow you to quickly and easily configure your hardware. We wish you good luck!