By aditi

MICS OR
MICROPHONES
 Introduction: What
are microphones?
• Microphones enable many types of audio recording devices for
purposes including communications of many kinds, as well as
music vocals, speech and sound recording.
• Microphones can be standalone or embedded in devices such as
headsets and telephones.
• A microphone is a device that captures audio by converting
sound waves into an electrical signal. This signal can be
amplified as an analog signal or may be converted to
a digital signal, which can be processed by a computer or other
digital audio device.
 HOW mics
work?
Microphones are a type of transducer - a device which converts energy from one form to another.
Microphones convert acoustical energy (sound waves) into electrical energy (the audio signal)

Note: At the other end of the audio chain, the loudspeaker is also a transducer - it converts the
electrical energy back into acoustical energy.

•Key Components:
•Diaphragm: Vibrates in response to sound waves.
•Magnet: Interacts with the diaphragm.
•Voice Coil: Converts diaphragm movement into
electrical signals.

A membrane in the microphone, called a diaphragm, moves

sympathetically with the movement of air particles around it.
This mechanism is similar to that of the temporal membrane
in the human ear.
DYNAMIC MICS In a dynamic microphone, the diaphragm is
attached to a coil of wire. The coil of wire
surrounds a magnet.
also called moving coil microphones. They The diaphragm is usually made of aluminum alloy or
function on the following principle: as a coil other low-mass material, so that it can be moved by
of wire moves in relation to a magnet, a the low-mass particles of the air.
voltage is created on the wire. As the diaphragm shifts forward and backward with
the movements in the atmosphere, the coil of wire
also moves. Because the coil surrounds around a
•Durable- The durability and rugged construction of
stationary magnet, as the coil moves around the
moving coil microphones makes them great for live magnet, a voltage is created on the wire. Speakers
sound applications. operate on this same principle, but in reverse.
•High-Mass-This makes them less sensitive than
other microphone types. When a microphone has
low sensitivity, it means that it can handle a louder
input.
•Directional-cardioid polar pattern, meaning that they
pick up sounds best from in front of the diaphragm
and reject sounds best from behind the diaphragm.
•No Inherent Noise-use simple, passive circuits.
meaning you can use more gain without starting to
hear hiss/hum.
 In a condenser microphone, an electrically conductive
CONDENSER MICS diaphragm,(gold-sputtered mylar), is suspended in close
proximity to a solid metal plate. When sound waves interact
Condenser microphones are also called capacitor with the diaphragm, it moves back and forth relative to the
microphones. They function is if two metal plates solid metal plate. This change in distance from the backplate
are in close proximity, the closer they are, the to the diaphragm creates a change in capacitance, and an
higher the capacitance. electrical signal is created.
impedance conversion circuit must be placed after the output
• Low-Mass-low mass diaphragms makes them of the capacitor to make the signal usable in an audio system.
This circuitry requires +48V-DC, known as phantom power.
more capable of capturing A transient sound
cell phones and computers, electret condenser microphones
wave; short, high-amplitude burst at the
are used which utilize permanently charged material and don’t
beginning of a sound wave.
• High sensitivity-increased clarity and ability to require phantom power.
capture low level sounds. However, this low
mass also makes them susceptible to saturation
in high sound pressure level applications.
• Variable Polar Pattern-depth of a condenser
microphone circuit is very small in comparison
to moving coil circuits, some condenser
microphones offer the ability to vary the polar
pattern with a switch.
 In a ribbon microphone, a corrugated ribbon
RIBBION MICS is suspended in the field of a permanent
magnet. The ribbon is typically made of low-
Ribbon microphones are also called velocity microphones, and mass, aluminum alloy. When sound interacts
are a variation of a dynamic microphone. The function as an with the suspended ribbon, the ribbon moves
electrically conductive ribbon moves within the field of a magnet, in relation to the magnet. This creates a
a voltage is created on the ribbon. voltage on the ribbon, which is connected to
the output of the microphone.

• Low-Mass-low mass of the diaphragm benefits the sound of a

microphone, the durability of a ribbon microphone suffers.
• Low-Sensitivity-ribbon microphones have a low mass while
maintaining their ability to handle high SPL (Sound Pressure Level).
• Directional-inherently bi-directional. Sounds from the front and back
of the ribbon (perpendicular to the ribbon) are picked up evenly.
Sounds from the side (parallel to the ribbon) will place pressure on
both sides of the ribbon evenly and will result in no movement of the
ribbon at all.
• Non-Linear Response-doesn’t respond linearly to sound pressure
levels. Correlation between sound pressure and voltage isn’tt parallel.
This quality mimics the human perception of loudness.
• Low Inherent Noised-tilize passive circuitry and are thus less
susceptible to electronic noise than condenser microphones.
CARBON MICS not commonly used in the modern world, but
were used in telephony and broadcast in the
early days of the technology up until the late
When carbon granules are compressed, their resistance 70s. A battery is required to create an electric
decreases. current to flow through the carbon granules.
As sound interacts with the carbon, the
➨It delivers high output signal. granules are compressed. This changes the
➨It is simple in construction and rugged in design. resistance of the carbon, in turn increasing
➨It's working principle is simple. and decreasing the current with the
➨It is cheaper in cost. movements of the air.
➨It is simple to manufacture.
➨It tolerates extremely high sound pressure levels.
However;
➨It has high background noise and it will often produce
cracking sound. It is not possible to eliminate this
"carbon hiss".
➨It has poor frequency response.
➨It requires battery or other supply for its operation.
➨The carbon granules get damaged and sometimes
fused together.
CRYSTAL MICS This is called the piezoelectric effect. As sound
places pressure to diaphragm or to a crystal
piezoelectric microphones. They function on the following directly, the crystal is flexed. This flexion
principle: When certain crystals are placed under mechanical creates an electrical charge on the crystal,
force, a voltage is produced. which represents the vibrations in the air.
Crystal microphones are also not widely used
•Durable and ideal for rough environments.
today. They do not offer wide frequency
•High output and strong signal without
response and operate at a high impedance not
amplification.
suitable for professional applications.
•Limited frequency range and less sensitive than
condenser mics, making them unsuitable for capturing
subtle sounds.

not
 Advantages and
➨It is faster to provide
disadvantages
voice as input using
microphone than to type
text using keyboard. ➨Sound files require large
➨Sound waves can be memory for storage for further
manipulated in real time. processing and use.
➨It can help in improving ➨Voice recognition software is
safety and security of not accurate as manual
drivers and riders when typing. For example, it can not
used with voice activation distinguish between "there"
systems e.g. switching on and "their".
radio, keeping phone in ➨Sound signals are required
speaker mode etc. to be amplified for proper
➨They are inexpensive in reconstruction. Hence
general. amplifiers are needed. For
➨Most of the microphones example, dynamic microphone
tolerate extreme high requires preamplifier.
sound pressure levels. ➨It has reduced performance
➨Microphone is rugged in at high frequencies.
construction.
➨It does not require power
 applications:
•Medical and healthcare: By providing high quality signal when worn by a
speaker and also serves as a reminder of health care provider.

•E-learning and education: For to get immense learning experience.

•Industrial and QC: Shur SM58 is one of the best microphone in the market
which acts ad portable audio processing equipment.

•Entertainment: For singing as well as hearing audio songs, recording and so

on.

•Scientific research and analysis: To detect the audio signals in various

experiments by using scientific analysis.

•Webinars and video conferences: To promote free speeches or paid one

(knowledge sharing and insights).

•Telecommunications: To sing, to deliver the speech or any assemble

programs.

•Broadcasting systems: To develop stories or events through live or recorded

news.
THANK YOU:
• How Microphones Work

• How Do Microphones Work? Types, Components, Transduction, Polar Patterns, And Mor
e|
SoundScapeHQ

• What is a microphone?

• What is a Microphone?

• Advantages of Microphone | disadvantages of Microphone ,

What is a Crystal Microphone? An Introduction to this Unique Sound Capture Device ,
What is a Microphone? - GeeksforGeeks