Microphones, colloquially known as mics or mikes, is basically an acoustic to electric sensor or transducer, capable of converting analog sound signals into electric signals. The first microphones came into being in 1876, when Emile Berliner used it as a equipment to transmit telephone voice. Nowadays, the utility of mics has spread far and wide, and is used in almost all modern communicating devices and field of engineering, like tape recorders, telephones and mobile phones, hearing aids, karaoke systems, megaphones, production of motion picture, recorded and live audio engineering, recording voice in computers, television and radio broadcasting, FRS radios, VoIP, speech recognition, and so on. Non-acoustic application of microphones includes knock sensors, and ultrasonic checking.
The basic components of a microphone comprises of a sensitive transducer element, which is called the capsule or the element. While a component microphone will also include a housing, which is needed to carry the signal from the capsule, to other devices of equipments, wireless microphones has a radio transmitter fitted into it. Often, an electronic circuit can also be present, so as to help in adapting the output of the element of the capsule, into the device or equipment, which is being driven. Modern day microphones use capacitance change, electromagnetic induction, light modulation or piezoelectric generation to facilitate conversion of mechanical vibration into electrical voltage signals.
Various types of microphones are available in the market, suiting the needs and specifications of different users. Basically, microphones are subdivided into four discrete types: dynamic, condenser, USB and tube. Out of these four, dynamic mics are the widely used ones. Tailor made for live or studio settings, these are available in various variants - mics for vocal, drums, instruments etc. Condenser microphones, on the other hand, find application in home or studio recordings. Since the frequency response of condenser microphones are quite wide, they are quite sensitive and accurate. So, they are deployed in silent environments for crystal clear recording. Special condenser mics of different makes are available for recording instruments, drums and vocals.
USB mics are used in a home recording setup, with a computer. Using these eliminates the need to procure expensive preamps or mixtures. One can easily record music, or podcast voices using such microphones, which are available in almost all budgets. Tube mics, which were popular during the middle of the 20th century, contain a large vacuum tube, so as to boost the sound signal, thus producing a very warm and rich tone. It is often used to record acoustic instruments, or rich sounding vocals.
The basic components of a microphone comprises of a sensitive transducer element, which is called the capsule or the element. While a component microphone will also include a housing, which is needed to carry the signal from the capsule, to other devices of equipments, wireless microphones has a radio transmitter fitted into it. Often, an electronic circuit can also be present, so as to help in adapting the output of the element of the capsule, into the device or equipment, which is being driven. Modern day microphones use capacitance change, electromagnetic induction, light modulation or piezoelectric generation to facilitate conversion of mechanical vibration into electrical voltage signals.
Various types of microphones are available in the market, suiting the needs and specifications of different users. Basically, microphones are subdivided into four discrete types: dynamic, condenser, USB and tube. Out of these four, dynamic mics are the widely used ones. Tailor made for live or studio settings, these are available in various variants - mics for vocal, drums, instruments etc. Condenser microphones, on the other hand, find application in home or studio recordings. Since the frequency response of condenser microphones are quite wide, they are quite sensitive and accurate. So, they are deployed in silent environments for crystal clear recording. Special condenser mics of different makes are available for recording instruments, drums and vocals.
USB mics are used in a home recording setup, with a computer. Using these eliminates the need to procure expensive preamps or mixtures. One can easily record music, or podcast voices using such microphones, which are available in almost all budgets. Tube mics, which were popular during the middle of the 20th century, contain a large vacuum tube, so as to boost the sound signal, thus producing a very warm and rich tone. It is often used to record acoustic instruments, or rich sounding vocals.
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