UNDERSTANDING: Mics

What’s the difference between different microphone designs, and how do they work?

All microphones work in a similar way. They have a diaphragm (or a ribbon) that moves in response to changes in air pressure due to sound waves impinging on the diaphragm – similarly to how the diaphragm or ‘eardrum’ in the human ear responds to sound. The movement of this diaphragm, or ribbon, then produces a changing voltage, with a positive value (or amplitude) when the diaphragm moves one way and a negative value (or amplitude) when the diaphragm moves the opposite way. There are three main types of microphone to choose from – dynamic, ribbon, and condenser. DYNAMIC MICS With a so-called ‘dynamic’ microphone (the word ‘dynamic’ means changing or moving), a small coil of wire, positioned within the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, is attached to the…

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Future Music (Digital) - 1 Issue, November 2023

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