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, which 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?

Let’s start with 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.

The ribbon is another variety of 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.

A condenser microphone is the next kind we will learn about. A condenser

microphone has a diaphragm separated by carbon that acts as a capacitor. A
capacitor is a thing that stores electric energy. 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.
 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.

The first one is omnidirectional. This kind of microphone picks up sound from all
directions. These are used for group vocals and recordings.

Unidirectional microphones 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.

Next is bi-directional. It gets sound from two places. It is great for recording
two voices at the same time.

Cardiod is the last type of pickup pattern. It is very unusual, because it picks up
sound in a heart shaped pattern. These are actually a very commonly used
microphone. They are great for talk shows, because the audience sound will not be
picked up as much as the people on stage. This also makes it very good for live
music performances.

Another configuration you may see is the boundary mike or pressure

zone mike (PZM). This type of mike has a sensing element attached to
one side of a sheet of sound reflective material. A transparent sheet
of plastic is frequently used. It has a nearly hemispherical pickup
pattern but rejects sound from
behind it. It's used where audience noise or reflected sound from
walls is a problem.
Omnidirectional
Uses: Capturing ambient noise; Situations where sound is coming from many directions;
Situations where the mic position must remain fixed while the sound source is moving.

Notes:

 Although omnidirectional mics are very useful in the right situation, picking up sound
from every direction is not usually what you need. Omni sound is very general and
unfocused - if you are trying to capture sound from a particular subject or area it is
likely to be overwhelmed by other noise.

Cardioid
Cardioid means "heart-shaped", which is the type of pick-up pattern these mics use. Sound is
picked up mostly from the front, but to a lesser extent the sides as well.
Uses: Emphasising sound from the direction the mic is pointed whilst leaving some latitude for
mic movement and ambient noise.

Notes:

 The cardioid is a very versatile microphone, ideal for general use. Handheld mics
are usually cardioid.

 There are many variations of the cardioid pattern (such as the hypercardioid below).

Hypercardioid
This is exaggerated version of the cardioid pattern. It is very directional and eliminates most
sound from the sides and rear. Due to the long thin design of hypercardioids, they are often
referred to as shotgun microphones.
Uses: Isolating the sound from a subject or direction when there is a lot of ambient noise;
Picking up sound from a subject at a distance.

Notes:

 By removing all the ambient noise, unidirectional sound can sometimes be a little
unnatural. It may help to add a discreet audio bed from another mic (i.e. constant
background noise at a low level).
 You need to be careful to keep the sound consistent. If the mic doesn't stay pointed
at the subject you will lose the audio.

 Shotguns can have an area of increased sensitivity directly to the rear.

Bidirectional
Uses a figure-of-eight pattern and picks up sound equally from two opposite directions.
Uses: As you can imagine, there aren't a lot of situations which require this polar pattern. One
possibility would be an interview with two people facing each other (with the mic between them).