MICROPHONES

An acoustic device classified as a transducer which converts sound waves into

their corresponding electrical impulses.
Transducer
A device which when actuated by energy in one transmission system, supplies
energy in the same form or in another form, to a second transmission system.
Classification of Microphones
A. General Categories
1. Passive (Generator Type) Microphone
Does not require external power source
2. Active (Amplifier Type) Microphone
Needs an external power source for its operation
B. According to Impedance
1. High Impedance
Greater than 1000 ohms
2. Low Impedance
1000 ohms and below
C. According to Method of Coupling
Pressure Type
-Actuated by the pressure of sound waves against the diaphragm.
Velocity Type
-actuated by velocity of sound waves

Contact Type

D. According to Elements Used

1. Dynamic
Uses the principle of electromagnetic induction
Electromagnetic moving coil microphone
A medium-priced instrument of high sensitivity

2. Ribbon
Velocity microphone
Ribbon moves as if it is a part of the air that experiences rarefactions and
condensations.

3. Capacitor

Condenser type or electrostatic microphone

4. Carbon
Uses principle of variable resistance

5. Crystal
Uses principle of piezoelectric effect

E. According to directional Characteristics

Unidirectional
Bidirectional
Omnidirectional
Cardioid
Characteristics of Microphone
1. Frequency Response
Frequency over which the microphone will operate normally
Magnetic: 60 10 000Hz
Crystal: 50 10 000Hz
Condenser: 50 15 000Hz
Carbon: 200 3 000Hz
2. Sensitivity
Ability that would be covered by the microphone
3. Dynamic Range
Range of sound intensity that would be covered by the microphone
Special Types of Microphones
Differential Microphone
Used in noisy places; good up to 3-in distance
Loudspeakers as transducers
The speaker converts electrical energy into physical energy
Alternating electrical current causes the voice coil to move in relation to a
permanent magnet
Movements in the coil are transferred to a diaphragm or cone, which create
movements in air molecules

Types of Loudspeakers
Direct Radiator Type
Those in which the vibrating surface (diaphragm) radiates sound directly into the
air
1. Dynamic or Moving Coil Loudspeaker
Makes use of a moving coil in a magnetic field and a permanent magnet.
2. Electrostatic Loudspeaker
Operates on the same principle as a condenser microphone.
Horn Type
Those in which a horn is interposed between the diaphragm and the air
Used for efficient coupling of sound into the air
Types:
Conical Horn
Parabolic Horn
Exponential Horn
Hyperbolic Horn

To cover the entire range of audible frequencies, the following speakers

are used
Wooferfor low frequencies
Tweeterfor high frequencies
Midrangefor normal range
Subwooferfor very low frequencies

Enclosures
Speakers lack efficiency in converting electricity into audio energy
Placing the speaker inside an enclosure improves its efficiency
Loudspeaker mounting that is used to prevent the sound waves from the rear from
interfering with the sound waves in the front of speaker

Compression Drivers
Compression drivers operate on the same principle, but are attached to horns
Horns increase the efficiency of the driver by enhancing sound wave propagation
The result is that horns sound louder with the same level of amplification
Crossover Networks
Crossovers separate the signal into component frequencies which are routed to
individual drivers
Separating the frequencies allows the drivers to be more efficient and protects
them from being overdriven
Crossovers may be passive which are internal inside the speaker enclosure
Passive crossovers have fixed crossover frequencies
Crossovers may also be active which are outboard units that are user adjustable

Active crossovers are used in bi-amplifying or tri-amplifying sound systems

Three and four way systems

Tweeters reproduce high frequencies (above 5 KHz)
Mid-range drivers reproduce middle frequencies (1-2 KHz)
Woofers reproduce low frequencies (below 1) KHz
Sub-woofers reproduce very low frequencies (below 100 Hz)
Speaker Placement
Studio monitors should be placed equidistant from the listener
Speaker distances may be described as
Far field
Mid fieldNear field
Ultra near field
Traditional side stack speakers for live sound
Central Cluster for live sound

Impedance
Electrical impedance is the reluctance for alternating current to flow in a voice
coil
Mechanical impedance is the physical opposition for the speaker cone or
diaphragm to move
Acoustic radiation impedance refers to how efficiently the speaker moves air
Speaker impedance must be matched closely to the amplifiers output
impedance to avoid damaging the amplifier, and to increase system
efficiency
As speaker impedance drops, current flow increases, causing overheating
of the amplifier components