Unveiling the Microphone Universe

Microphones are devices for converting sound waves into electrical signals. They are mainly used for recording or capturing sound. There are many microphone types with different technologies for many applications. Dynamic microphones, lavalier, shotgun, and USB microphones are some examples of microphone types. They have many specifications, such as different frequency settings and higher or lower sensitivity levels. There are also advanced wireless technology microphones for other applications.

A Brief History of Microphones

Since the early 19th century, microphones have evolved with revolutionary technologies for different applications. Engineers have developed different microphone sizes, in our century, from in-ear monitors or wearables microphones to giant microphones for big concerts. Microphones are one of the pillars of telecommunication, broadcasting, and music recording.

In the early 19th century, scientists found a way to convert sound waves into electric signals. In 1827 Sir Charles Wheatstone found an acoustic telegraph that used multiple microphones to transmit sound waves over long distances. After more than 50 years, in 1878, Thomas Edison and Emelie Berliner developed carbon microphones. These microphones used sound waves to apply pressure on the carbon, changing its resistance and producing electric signals. In the early 1910s, E.C. Wante and Georg Neumann created Condenser Microphones. These microphones used a diaphragm with a backplate, making a capacitor. Movement between the diaphragm and backplate began electric signals. However, in 1923 Walter Schottky invented the ribbon microphone. These microphones used thin metal ribbons suspended within a magnetic field to vibrate the sound waves and create signals. Just seven years later, in 1930, scientists working at Bell Labs found the Dynamic microphone, which uses a diaphragm attached to a coil within a magnetic field. Sound waves make the diaphragm move and create signals. After 30 years of development, in the 1960s, scientists developed Electret Microphones. These microphones have a permanently charged material, the Electret, as a backplate. With that technology, they eliminated the need for external polarizing voltage.

Microphone Types and Their Applications

There are many types of microphones with different applications and technologies. Here are the most commonly used microphone types:

USB Microphones are one of the most used microphone types lately. With their plug-and-play and built-in analog-to-digital conversion technology, people who do podcasts or voiceovers mainly choose this type. These microphones have an integrated audio interface and easy connection to many devices with a USB.

Condenser Microphones are mainly chosen by the studio and vocal recording environment, people who podcast or broadcasting studios because of high sensitivity, higher frequency response, and more accurate sound reproduction. They use a diaphragm and a backplate capacitor but require external power from a source like batteries.

Dynamic Microphones are currently the best option for concerts or live performances, as well as high levels of sound required broadcasting. With their ambient noise cancellation and durability, as well as handling high sound pressure levels, they are the most used microphone type for applications mentioned above. These microphones use a diaphragm attached to a coil within a magnetic field to create electric signals.

Ribbon Microphones are among the best microphone types for capturing instruments, broadcasting, and studio recording. These microphones have smooth sound reproduction, delicate construction, and a figure-eight polar pattern. They use thin metal ribbons suspended within a magnetic field to capture the sound waves.

Lavalier Microphones are mainly used in interviews, public speaking, presentations, and video production. Their small size and hands-free specifications make them one of the most used microphone types. They are a fixation of a condenser and dynamic microphones for wearable usage.

Shotgun Microphones, with their highly directional sound, the capability of long-range captures, and Magnifique off-axis rejection, are the best microphone types for film production, video recording, and outdoor broadcasting. They use a tube design to achieve a narrow pickup pattern.

Essential Features to Consider When Choosing a Microphone

Depending on what application customers or companies will use, they should consider the features before buying a microphone. For Professional concerts or live performances, Dynamic Microphones have currently considered the best type of microphones because of high-quality ambient noise cancellation and handling high sound pressure levels. If you are capturing instrument sounds, Ribbon Microphones are the best option because of the smooth sound reproduction and figure-eight polar pattern features. Lavalier microphones are the best option for interviews and public speaking since they provide different sizes while giving a chance of a hands-free feature. Shotgun microphones are recommended for film production companies and outdoor video recording because of their highly directional sound feature and long-range sound capturing. In a studio environment, customers should choose Condenser Microphones for applications such as vocal recordings, broadcasting, and podcasting because of their high sensitivity, frequency response, and more accurate sound reproduction features.

Polar Patterns

They are many types of polar pattern specifications used in microphones. These patterns provide different sensitivity levels as well as different capturing angles. The omnidirectional pattern is the most commonly used type for interviews and conferences because it captures sound equally from all directions. The Cardioid is a heart-shaped pattern that captures sound from the front side while mostly ignoring sounds from the sides and rear, allowing isolation of the leading sound and lowering background noise. This pattern is mainly used in studio recordings and vocal performances. Supercardioid and Hypercardioid are similar to the Cardioid pattern, with narrower pickup angles and increased rear sensitivity. They are mainly used for theater productions and solo performances. Bidirectional, or the Figure-Eight pattern, is used primarily in interviews because they pick up the sound equally from the front and rear and shut down side sounds. Lastly, the Shotgun Pattern, also known as the Highly Directional pattern, provides isolation of specific sound inside a noisy environment while capable of long-distance capturing. This pattern type is mainly used in film productions, professional broadcasts, and recording nature sounds.

Frequency Response

Each microphone type has a different frequency response, ranging from only one-direction frequency capturing to high-directional capturing. Dynamic Microphones have flat frequency responses with a wide range. Condenser Microphones have broader frequency responses compared to Dynamic Microphones. Ribbon Microphones usually provide natural and smooth frequency responses. Lavalier Microphones can have many different frequency response ranges depending on which type of Lavalier microphone is being used. Shotgun Microphones have the best frequency response for highly directional sound capturing.

Sensitivity and Sound Pressure Level (SPL)

Microphone types have different ranges of sensitivity and pressure levels for other applications. Ribbon Microphones have lower sensitivity compared to condenser and dynamic microphones. On SPL handling, it depends on which type of Ribbon microphone is used, but generally, Ribbon microphones have low SPLs and are sensitive to loud sounds. Dynamic Microphones have low sensitivity and can handle high SPLs without distortion. Condenser Microphones have higher sensitivity than Dynamic microphones, while SPL handling depends on the microphone model used. Lavalier Microphones have moderate sensitivity, and their SPL can handle human speech without distortion. Shotgun Microphones have high sensitivity as well as a high range of SPLs.

Connectivity and Power Options

Most microphone types use an XLR cable connection type. At the same time, Condenser Microphones can also use USB or ethernet cables, and Lavalier Microphones can use 3.5mm cables, Bluetooth, and Radiofrequency wireless connection. Some microphone types do not need external power to operate. In contrast, Shotgun and Condenser need a power source such as Phantom Power (48V), an external battery, or a USB connection to power up the microphone.

Top Microphone Picks for Various Applications

For the studio environment, we recommend AKG Pro Audio C214. It is a professional large-diaphragm microphone built with integrated suspension to reduce mechanical noise. Its attenuation pad feature allows the recording of high levels of sound pressures up to 156dB while providing a switchable bass-cut filter to eliminate the proximity effect during close-up recording.

For conference and meeting usages Logitech Rally Mic Pods Microphone is one of the best microphones out in the market, providing good coverage for up to ten people simultaneously with a clear transmission. It is designed with high sensitivity while ignoring most interference. It uses RightSound technology to capture every level of sound, allowing users to talk at any level of sound they want.

Blue Yeticaster Wired Electret Condenser Microphone is the world’s number 1 USB microphone for streaming and podcasting. They provide users with an enormous amount of sound quality with many Professional features evolving your desktop devices into a streaming studio. With the premium boom arm, it features smooth, quiet operation and sophisticated on-camera looks.

Podcasting and Streaming

Condenser microphones are the most commonly used types for podcasting and streaming, providing users with high sensitivity, high-frequency responses, and more accurate sound reproduction. Blue Yeticaster Wired Electret Condenser Microphone is one of the best podcasting and streaming microphones with many features and flexibility.

Studio Recording

Ribbon and Condenser microphones are the best studio microphones, with high sensitivity, frequency response, and accurate and smooth sound reproduction. One of the top picks for the studio environment is AKG PRO Audio C214, giving users features such as a large diaphragm, integrated suspension, and attenuation pad to allow high SPL sup to 156dB.

Live Performances

The best microphone type for live performances is Dynamic Microphones, with the capability of ambient noise cancellation, highly durable, and handling high SPLs.

Field Recording and Video Production

Shotgun microphones are the best microphone type for field recording and video production. With its highly directional sound, excellent off-axis noise cancellation capability, and long-range capturing, it is the most commonly used type for field recording and video production.

Conclusion

Microphone technology has been evolving every day since the early 19th century, and there are many types for different applications, with a range of low sensitivity and capturing angles to high levels of sensitivity and pressure with wide angles.

Finding the Perfect Microphone for Your Needs

As we mentioned, many types of microphones have different features for many applications. While trying to find the perfect microphone, check out https://www.networkhardwares.com/ for many microphone types and models.