How to choose a wireless microphone for the stage. How to choose the right microphone - we guarantee it will be useful

How to choose a microphone? (Practice reasoning)

Choosing a microphone can be compared to choosing a car or a computer. In general, the choice of any purchase is based on the principle: "Why?" This is the question we must ask ourselves before spending money. The purpose of this article is not to list the options for using microphones, but to tell you about the parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing a microphone for a specific purpose. However, here are some examples of microphone applications: karaoke, speaking in front of an audience, microphones for vocals, instruments and speech, working in a recording studio, on radio, television, sounding conferences, performances and everything else that we can think of for ourselves.

I started by comparing microphones to a car and a computer.

If you have not burdened yourself with your family and at the same time are making a career, love sports and do not waste time on summer walks with seedlings, you will hardly choose a van. Rather, it will be a sports car, and most likely a red one. BUT, if family values bring you joy, you have three children, a beloved mother-in-law (especially a mother-in-law), a father-in-law (father-in-law), then in addition to a sports car, I would suggest you buy a minivan.

Your choice depends on the parameters.

Also with microphones.

Microphones are divided into capacitor and dynamic... Also, directionality is an important property. By directivity, microphones are divided into: cardioid, supercardioid and omnidirectional.

In this article I will not go into "physics and chemistry". Do not overload this article with scientific calculations. Just how and where it works. On fingers.

Condenser microphones are very sensitive. This is truly the purest and highest quality sound. But you have to pay for cleanliness and quality. And not only money (these microphones are much more expensive than dynamic ones). It is necessary to create conditions for working with them. Microphones are best suited for studio work. They are often mounted on special microphone holders with wind protection to avoid the transmission of external vibrations and sounds (for example, footsteps, breathing, etc.). This type of microphone is very capricious and gentle. Everything matters here - humidity, temperature, sound insulation, distance of the sound source (mouth, instrument) from the microphone, directivity, etc. Mechanical damage, even just a shock, is destructive for any type of microphones, but for condenser microphones in particular. Bohemian glass is resting.

Dynamic microphones are more unpretentious. For this they are loved. If condensers dominate in studios, then on stage the kings are dynamic. BUT, do not drop them either. They are kings. They, of course, do not convey the sound as cleanly as condenser ones, but, oddly enough, this is what makes them most suitable for "live" performances. The fact is that they do not pick up extraneous sounds so sensitively, and there are a lot of them on the stage: music, stomping, breathing, etc. These microphones can be picked up (no touching will be heard), jump across the stage or sing a romance. But what I love most about dynamic microphones is that they can be “played” with. If capacitor ones require a certain distance from the mouth or instrument, then with dynamic ones it is more and more interesting. With some practice, you can change the intensity and timbre of the sound by changing the distance and direction into the microphone. In other words, if you are a vocalist, the sound will change depending on how your mouth is closer or farther from the microphone, you can also play with the direction of the sound (left, right, top, bottom). BUT, here you need to take into account the directivity of the microphone.

Cardioid. This type of microphone picks up sounds like a heart. Very romantic and practical. This microphone is suitable for any musician, singer, orator, etc., especially those who have to move a lot on stage. And that's why. Directionality (this is how much you can turn your head while singing) will be an optimal range of about 90 degrees. Better, of course, not to go too far. But, in any case, extraneous sounds will not get into the microphone. For people who do not often work with a microphone and are not used to holding it, speaking into it, this is also a very convenient option. Cardioid dynamic microphones are indeed the most versatile, and therefore the most common.

Supercardioid. Well, super, he is super. These are highly directional microphones. Do not twirl your head. We sing, speak, play clearly into the microphone. The audio capture area is narrow. Due to this, there is less extraneous noise, and the quality transmitted sound better. Let's say cleaner. I have noticed more pronounced overtones in some firms. Of course, it takes a certain amount of experience to work with such a microphone, and that's actually the difference from cardioid microphones.

There is a huge selection of microphones in different price categories on the market today. In general, the rule of thumb for microphones is that the higher the price, the better quality... However, over the past few years, the situation has changed slightly - high-quality microphones have appeared on the market at an affordable price. Majority inexpensive models is a stripped-down copy of more expensive counterparts.

How are you going to use it?

The most important thing is to find a microphone that suits your needs. How are you going to use the microphone - for stage performance or for recording instruments? Or for sound recording? Or perhaps you need a versatile microphone? There are many microphones that can be used for both live sound and studio recording. One such example is the Shure SM57.

The microphone should be selected based on where and with what equipment it will be used. There is no point in spending thousands of dollars on a Neumann studio microphone if you are doing home recording in a room where the acoustics are far from perfect. V in this case a less sensitive and more budgetary microphone will do. Technically, even the best mic is highly dependent on the quality of the mic preamp used. Without a high-quality preamplifier, all the virtues of a professional microphone drown out.

Understanding specifications

Understanding technical characteristics and terminology makes it easy to choose the microphone that suits your needs. Below we will look at the main technical characteristics and terms found in the descriptions of microphones.

Directional pattern

The directional diagram shows the dependence of the microphone sensitivity on the location of the sound source in space. Omni-directional microphone picks up maximum amount spatial sounds. The bi-directional microphone picks up sounds from the left and right, but its sensitivity is much lower in front and behind. A unidirectional microphone "hears" sounds primarily from one direction and has little sensitivity to sounds from other directions.

Unidirectional microphones the most popular and have three directional patterns: cardioid, supercardioid and hypercardioid. All three diagrams are insensitive to rear-axis and off-axis sounds from sources that are to the side or behind the microphone. Roughly speaking, the cardioid diagram is shaped like a heart (hence its name). That is, the microphone picks up sounds from the front and slightly to the side, while sounds from sources located behind the microphone, ideally, will not be heard in the recording. The supercardioid pattern picks up some of the sound from the source behind the microphone. At the same time, it differs in a narrower sound capture zone in front of the microphone diaphragm. The hypercardioid diagram, in comparison with the supercardioid diagram, has an even narrower sound capture zone on the side, but also wider in the back.

Directional patterns are important when the microphone is used in a noisy environment, such as for a vocalist to perform at a concert. Cardioid, supercardioid and hypercardioid microphones eliminate all sounds except the singer's voice. The sound is clearer, and Feedback is reduced to a minimum.

Multi-pattern microphones

Some condenser microphones are switchable. A toggle switch or interchangeable capsules can be used to toggle from one chart to another (eg, pivot to cardioid). This mic characteristic is very useful for studio recording.

Frequency response

This is the range of frequencies (low to high) within which the microphone outputs. Can be, for example, from 80 Hz to 15 kHz. This is normal for a vocal microphone. For snare drums and tom-toms, you need to look for a microphone with a range of 50 Hz, and for "kick" the lower threshold is desirable at 40 Hz or even 30 Hz.

Sensitivity and SPL

Sensitivity indicates how quiet sound the microphone can detect. Expressed with different systems... For a layman, it is enough to know that the lower the numbers, the higher the microphone sensitivity.

SPL is the sound pressure level (measured in decibels, dB). Shows the maximum audio volume that the microphone can handle. It's kind of the opposite of sensitivity. This parameter is especially important if you plan to use the microphone with loud instruments, such as drums. Average value of SPL - 100 dB; high - 130 dB.

Frequency response curve (AFC)

The frequency response only shows the range reproduced by the microphone. The frequency response curve characterizes the dependence of the frequency sensitivity. Since this dependence on the graph starts at zero and returns to zero over time, its shape resembles a curve. The curve has peaks and slopes in a number of places, which gives the microphone certain properties and allows it to be used for various purposes. For example, a vocal microphone may have a peak in the upper range, as a result of which it reproduces people's voices better and more evenly.

Proximity effect

Although the proximity effect is not a technical characteristic, it is important parameter and is often found in descriptions. Condenser microphones have a higher proximity effect than dynamic microphones. When the sound source moves closer to the microphone, the proximity effect enhances bass response. This will be of interest to singers who "use the microphone" to create effects. The sound engineer can choose a microphone with a high proximity effect if there is a need to emphasize low frequencies when recording an instrument.

What are the technical specifications silent about?

In microphones, in addition to technical characteristics, other parameters are of no less importance - design, materials used, workmanship. Since some manufacturers like to embellish the numbers, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a $ 50 microphone and a multi-hundred analogue from the specs alone. It should be noted that the price is already an important characteristic. But you can really see the difference between a good microphone and consumer goods only in practice.

Microphone types and their uses

Almost all microphones fall into two categories: dynamic and capacitor... Dynamic microphones do not require a power supply; for capacitor - required. We will consider the principles of their work, the differences between them and how to use them below.

Dynamic microphones

How it works: A dynamic microphone is a membrane connected to an inductor that is placed in a strong constant magnetic field. The movement of the diaphragm moves with the coil, thus changing the voltage produced by the coil.

Main characteristics: Dynamic microphones are massive and have a high SPL, and also have a shockproof mount for holding in the hand. The pick-up pattern of these microphones does not “hear” off-axis sounds. They are used for live sound, vocals and instruments. Some models can be used for sound recording. Over the years, the Shure SM57 has proven itself to be a good studio and live microphone. As a group as a whole, dynamic microphones are relatively inexpensive, and many famous manufacturers produce an economical series of dynamic microphones with an optimal price / quality ratio.

Ribbon microphones

Unlike other dynamic microphones, ribbon microphones are very fragile. Their principle of operation is no different from other dynamic microphones, but instead of a membrane, they use a thin tape, the vibration of which changes the voltage. Ribbon microphones are used in studios for recording voices and many instruments. They soften the sound and warm up the recording. Ribbon microphones have a high SPL, which means they can be placed close to the sound source.

Special dynamic microphones

In the past few years, manufacturers have begun producing dynamic microphone models designed specifically for a specific instrument. Here are some examples:

Drum microphone

Different drums sound differently; accordingly there are microphones for kick drums, snares, tom-toms and cymbals. Each type of microphone has specific parameters and sensitivity ranges. Drum microphones are usually sold in sets of four, five, or more. They are inexpensive, easy to use, and do the job well.

Wind instrument microphone

Typically small in size, light in weight and frequency response corresponding to a particular instrument. They also have a special mount for attaching a microphone to an instrument or body. This mount maintains a constant distance between the microphone and the instrument, which ensures good sound density. In addition, the musician gets more freedom of action.

Miniature microphones (aka Bullet microphones)

Often used by harmonica musicians. They have a small round body and can hide between the hands of a musician. The tiny membrane of such a microphone produces a distorted sound, which is so popular with harmonica lovers.

Wireless microphones. In fact, they are no different from their wired counterparts except for the built-in radio transmitter.

Condenser microphones

How it works: Microphones of this type have a thin conductive film on short distance from the metal plate (called the "back plate"), which forms a capacitor. A weak electric charge either from phantom power or from a battery. Sound vibrations cause the membrane to vibrate. Changing the distance between the diaphragm and the back plate affects the output voltage. This is the useful signal from the microphone.

Key Features: Condenser microphones are powered either from an external source or from a built-in battery, or use phantom power from the mixer jack. Almost all mixers today have phantom power in their microphone jacks. If you purchased a mixer previously, make sure it has phantom power before purchasing a condenser microphone.

There are several types of condenser microphones, and most of them are used for sound recording purposes. Although some are also used for live sound: choir, piano, acoustic string instruments and a number of percussion instruments. Condenser microphones can also work with cymbals. The main types of condenser microphones are:

Roll-off switches and attenuators

Many condenser microphones are equipped with these switches to expand their capabilities. The roll-off switch changes the frequency range (usually low), reducing the sensitivity to a certain level. Roll-off is used for live sound when it is necessary to reduce low frequency noise and improve amplifier performance. Many amplifiers are unable to reproduce low frequency sounds, although they consume electricity. Thanks to the roll-off switch, the amplifier does not have to work with low frequencies. When recording, this gives the sound a special clarity. Attenuators change the sensitivity and volume in the microphone to avoid overloading when exposed to a very loud sound source.

Wide diaphragm condenser microphones

These are massive recording microphones with diameters ranging from 2 to 3 cm. They are usually expensive and require an external power supply and suspension. Big size and the need for a suspension does not allow the use of such microphones, for example, for drums, where a rigid fixation is required. At the same time, they are ideal for voice recording and many other instruments. In most cases, wide diaphragm microphones serve as studio versatile microphones. Their best models are extremely expensive. In recent years, a number of inexpensive wide-diaphragm condenser microphones have appeared on the market, the design of which mimics the more expensive counterparts, and their quality is quite suitable for non-professional sound recording.

Side-trick condenser microphones

This is another type of large condenser microphone. These microphones have a wide diaphragm placed horizontally and directed to the side at an angle of 90 degrees. There is usually a wide, flat windscreen over the membrane. If the microphone is mounted vertically, it seems that the artist is singing into it a little from the side (hence the name).

Dual Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

Typically, these are side-address microphones with two diaphragms pointing in opposite directions. Used to record duets and bands or to create an acoustic atmosphere. Compared to using two single-diaphragm microphones, a double-diaphragm condenser microphone makes balancing two simultaneous sources much easier.

Tube condenser microphones

These are vintage microphones that were used in recording studios for decades. Due to the fact that such microphones allow you to make especially high-quality sound recording - like tube amplifier makes the guitar sound in a new way - they are still produced and used in professional recording studios. Tube microphones require a certain amount of voltage, since it is the tube that produces warm, rich sound.

Narrow diaphragm condenser microphones

The diaphragm of such microphones is 1.5 cm or less. They can be used both for sound recording and for work with live sound. It is recommended to use narrow diaphragm microphones for reproducing high frequency sounds and sources with sudden volume changes. Often mounted on top of drum cymbals. Like other condenser microphones, narrow-diaphragm microphones operate on phantom power or a battery.

Directional microphones

These are condenser microphones with a very narrow and elongated pick-up pattern. Most often they are used for television and radio broadcasts (for example, sports events), since they are good at capturing certain sounds at a distance.

Boundary Microphones

Boundary microphones are quite versatile. Used on catwalks, conferences and studios. They are usually placed on a flat surface - on the floor, ceiling or wall. This way the sound is better removed. Boundary microphones can be used to record large bands.

List of brands

Telefunken- a kind of "elite" among microphones. excellent quality, a rich tradition of the firm. Many manufacturers today look up to them. Very expensive microphones.

Neumann Is a legendary brand. Their U47 and U87 models have become the real "standard" in the recording world and are used in almost every studio. Expensive microphones.

Violet Design- a Baltic company. The microphones are hand-assembled and renowned for their sound quality and character. The good one speaks in their favor as well. the lineup- there are both expensive and quite budget items.

RODE- Australian company RODE Microphones with over 30 years of history. V recent times has gained immense popularity among musicians of the post-Soviet space, largely due to the good pricing policy. Quite affordable microphones, very good quality.

AKG Is a very well-known company with an incredibly wide lineup... Their C414 microphone is perhaps the only one in the world about which it is impossible to say anything bad. However, in recent years, the quality of the products of this company began to decline rapidly. And now there is no longer any reason to overpay for their brand.

Marshall Electronics MXL Is a company with more than 30 years of history, which is worth looking at for all aspiring home musicians. Very affordable prices and amazing quality for the money.

Shure- of course, one of the leaders. Their legendary instrumental SM57 and vocal SM58 are simply “style icons” that are used, well, probably, in all, without exception, small and large studios in the world.

Conclusion

A simple method of gathering information is probably the most helpful in choosing a microphone. Ask others about their microphones, about the experience of use. Talk to sales assistants at several record stores, read reviews online,as well as reviews different models microphones.Good luck with your choice and purchase!

Speaking about the cost, one can recall the well-known saying: "Good things cannot be cheap." But the question arises - how expensive should a high-quality microphone be?

The basic rule is: you need to buy a microphone that will meet your and only your needs. Studio microphones are very different from common consumer microphones - and not only more high quality or increased technical characteristics. First of all, the areas of application are clearly defined for them.

Choose a microphone based on where, for what purpose, and with what equipment you will be using it. Each microphone has its own characteristics, its strengths and weak sides in comparison with other models. Because of this, professional recording studios tend to have multiple microphones for different tasks. And, of course, it doesn't make sense to spend thousands of dollars on a studio microphone from the firm or Neumann if you are going to record family gatherings in a home where the acoustics are a big problem.

Microphone types

Studio microphones can be roughly divided into two large groups: for vocals (voice) and instrumental. If you are going to buy one of them, buy it, first you need to decide what exactly you need it for.

By device type, microphones are ribbon, dynamic and condenser. These names define how sound is converted to electrical signal.

Condenser microphones produce high-quality sound with good high-frequency reproduction. Mostly they are used in studios for sounding vocals (voice) and acoustic instruments. These microphones usually require additional power supply (also called phantom microphones, because both the supply voltage and sound signal): they are much better than dynamic ones. May be relatively small.

Dynamic microphones are used mainly for sounding guitars and drums; they do not require phantom power in operation.

Dynamic microphone device

Ribbon microphones produce a warm, soft sound and are most often used for sounding guitars and wind instruments. Also does not require phantom power.

Focus

Another parameter that must be taken into account when choosing specific model: directivity characteristic of the microphone. Without going into physical details, it can be said that this is an indicator of how the microphone is picking up sound from different directions.

There are omnidirectional (omnidirectional) microphones that pick up sound from any direction, which are suitable for recording surround sound in studios, for delivering clear, natural sound in live performances, isolated from noise (caused by wind or breathing), as well as for press conferences. They are often called "omni" from the English "omnidirectional" - "omnidirectional". They do not have the effect of "approaching": when the sound source is located at a distance of about 1-2 centimeters from the microphone mesh, a noticeable increase in the response of low frequencies appears.

Flat table omnidirectional conference microphone

"Bidirectional" (or "eights" - as they are called because of the shape of the directional pattern) are used in studios when recording two different sound sources, when you need less background noise than omnidirectional microphones. They are also useful when high cutoff is required (for example, when recording the vocals of a singer who plays the guitar at the same time). These microphones are insensitive to sounds from the sides.

Bi-directional microphone

The next type only accepts sound from one direction. The directivity pattern of this microphone - a cardioid - resembles a drawn heart: such microphones are sensitive to the sounds of sources directly opposite, and insensitive to what is happening behind. In fact, it is a workhorse for recording vocals and instruments. It picks up sound from closely spaced sources and isolates the recording from ambient noise, both on stage and in the studio.

Supercardioid microphones (sometimes called "gun") pick up sound from the front of the microphone best, partially suppress sounds from the side and behind, and have a narrower front lobe than the cardioid. Good for recording reality shows in the studio.

Directional pattern of hypercardioid - highly directional, suitable for isolation extraneous sounds... Hypercardioid microphones are most commonly used to record musical instruments.

Companies and models

The main "players" in the development and production of studio microphones are usually foreign. Let's get to know a little about them and their products.

Behringer

The German company (now owned by the Music Group holding) was founded by Uli Behringer in 1989 in Willich, Germany.

The most famous models of both companies, which are chosen by professionals, are this, and others.

There is hardly a person in the world of professional sound people who has not heard of the American company, which is briefly called Shure. She specializes in the design and manufacture of professional studio equipment. The company was founded by Sidney N. Shure in 1925 as The Shure Radio Company. Anyone who considers sound to be an important means of their self-expression strives to get its products to work.

As in any field of human activity, there are top-end products in professional audio equipment that remain the most popular for many, many years. These are, of course, microphones and. Naturally, the schemes of these models are constantly being improved, manufacturing technologies are being updated, and parts are being modernized. However, the design as a whole remains the same, and the same legendary sound has been pleasing listeners and artists for more than a decade.

The Australian company produces a wide variety of microphones, including studio ones. The company was founded by husband and wife Henry and Astrid Friedman in 1967 after they emigrated from Sweden to Australia.

For example, one of the company's models is the winner of the Electronic Musician 2004 Editor’s Choice Award as the microphone with the most low level own noise.

More than just technology

Microphones are "animated" by humans like no other device. Performers and announcers endow them with their own characteristics and "habits". And in general, the attitude towards the microphone is more reminiscent of the attitude towards a musical instrument than towards a technical device.

We told you about the most different models studio microphones, but the number of methods for their use is so large and varied that advice can be given endlessly. The main teacher here is practice and its critical understanding.

There is a wide selection of microphones on the market at various prices. How to understand this variety, which microphone to choose? What you should pay attention to when choosing a microphone, and in general how to choose a microphone, will be discussed in this article.

A microphone is an electro-acoustic device, the main functions of which are sound recording and sound reinforcement. The modern world of cinema and music cannot be imagined without a microphone. And each of us uses this device every day, at least in the phone.

It is very important to clearly understand that microphones have certain specifications, which will differ depending on the application of the device. So, first you need to decide what you need a microphone for. And here there are many options, both for live performances and for recording sounds in various conditions, or perhaps you need a microphone for your computer so that you can communicate with friends via the Internet. And of course, in the latter case, there is no need to spend money on an expensive microphone, your need will be satisfied by the simplest microphone with a USB connector.

Types of microphones

There are two of the most popular types of microphones: condenser and dynamic. Let us dwell in more detail on the use of each type and their device.

Dynamic microphone

The advantage of this type of microphone is that it does not need an external power source, besides, its device is quite simple. The principle of operation is based on vibrations of the membrane, which are transmitted to a current conductor passing through a magnetic field.

This type of microphone is widely used for live performances, concerts, although they are also used in recording studios. In addition, there are dynamic microphone models specially designed for different instruments (for example, for a variety of drums).

Condenser microphone

Its action is based on a change in the capacitance of the condensate, which is located between the plates, on which the sound acts. For of this type the microphone requires an external power supply. These microphones are more suitable for studio work, namely for sound recording, they transmit sound in the clearest and most high quality. However, they are very sensitive to external conditions (humidity, ambient temperature, distance to the sound source, to extraneous sounds), which excludes their use in "field" conditions. However, there are models of this type that can be used for live performances such as choir performances. These microphones are mounted on special holders.

How to choose a microphone: characteristics

In order to choose the right microphone, it is important to understand its technical characteristics, or at least know what they mean. Let's consider the main characteristics of a microphone that affect the quality of sound transmission:

sensitivity
focus
sound pressure level
frequency range

Let's dwell on each indicator in more detail.

Sensitivity

This indicator indicates how quiet sound your microphone can detect. It should be noted that condenser microphones are more sensitive. However, the high sensitivity is not always justified, for example, for recording speech on the street, or in noisy rooms. The high sensitivity of the omnidirectional microphone will do you a disservice, and the recording will be "polluted" by many third-party sounds.

Focus

This indicator characterizes how the microphone perceives sounds that affect it from different directions. There are microphones: omnidirectional, bidirectional (eight directivity), cardioid, hypercardioid.

So, if the directivity of the microphone is a circle (or an omnidirectional microphone), then it will perceive all sounds, no matter where they come from, which is not always convenient, for example, when recording interviews on the street, a narrowly directed microphone, the so-called "gun" model, is more suitable ...

Sound pressure level

This indicator indicates how much sound the microphone can transmit without distorting it. The indicator is considered to be high 130-140 dB, this parameter important if you are going to use a microphone to transmit loud sounds (eg drum sounds).

Frequency range

The wider the frequency range, the better, the better the microphone will transmit sounds. So human speech is in the frequency range of 100 (bass) -10 thousand Hz (squeak), and if you take a microphone with a lower sensitivity, then there may be problems with vocal recording. However, for voice recording, coverage of frequencies from 300 to 3400 Hz is sufficient.

In addition to the technical characteristics listed above, there are others, such as weight, compactness, cable length, and so on, which do not particularly affect the sound, but greatly affect the usability of the microphone.
By design, microphones are:
- manual,
- lapel,
- suspended,
- tabletop,
- on-camera,
- secret, attached to musical instruments etc.

It is also worth remembering that the microphone must be made of quality materials.

Before buying a microphone, read the reviews about the model and manufacturer you like. After all, not always the characteristics can tell everything. And only empirically, you can understand whether the model you like is successful or not.

To the extent that karaoke is becoming more and more popular among singers, the question arises of how to choose a microphone for karaoke. About most important characteristics microphones, for a clear transmission of vocals, you already know, and, of course, pay attention to the length of the microphone cable, its connector, and also remember that you need a hand-held microphone. And the main limiting factor of choice will still be the budget.

The microphones available on the market today are quite sophisticated and high-tech devices. The role of microphones these days is difficult to overestimate - they are used everywhere, and it will be difficult to imagine our everyday life without them. Over a hundred years of development of the device, design features have been preserved that combine modern microphones with their predecessors.

The first carbon microphone was invented in 1856 by the Frenchman Du Monsel, and was based on the effect of changing the resistance of graphite electrodes when the contact area of the conductors changes. In the 1880s, the design was improved and implemented by Thomas Edison - he used coal powder instead of graphite rods (still found in analog telephones).

In 1916, the first condenser microphone was invented - the engineer Eduard Venthe used the principle of capacitance change, not resistance, to convert sound waves into an electrical signal.

Japanese scientist Yoguchi in the early 1920s, based on the same principle, creates the first electret microphone.
And finally, in 1924, Germans Gerwin Erlach and Walter Schottky create the first model of a dynamic microphone, which works much better than a carbon one, and surpasses a condenser one in terms of electrical properties.

Microphones have been quite expensive for a long time. The picture has changed with the advent of field-effect transistors, enabling efficient, miniature and lightweight microphones.
Today, the industrial production of microphones reaches tens of millions a year, and many large brands are engaged in the development and sale of microphones.

Microphone scope

The very first thing to decide when choosing a microphone is its scope. It will depend on this optimal choice- For example, you don't need a vocal microphone to communicate over the network. Four types can be distinguished according to the field of application.

· Vocal microphones. Also sometimes called variety. Most often they have a design familiar to consumers - a handle with a windproof mesh. This is due to the need to unify the products - such microphones must be fixed in standard racks, you can easily pick up a replaceable windscreen for them. It can be divided into wired and wireless, and also, according to the type of performance, into handheld and clip-on microphones that cling to clothes (suitable for speech genre of performances). The most versatile and popular option is the handheld microphone, which is great for karaoke.

· Conference microphones... They have a table-top design, convenient for conferences - they have a stand, or are entirely made in the form of a "plate".
· Network communication... Communication microphones are usually cheaper because they do not require maximum sound quality. They are mainly presented as a desktop type and as a "clothespin" for easy attachment to clothes. This microphone will be enough for Skype communication.

· Studio microphones... Used for recording sound in a studio environment. They have the highest recording quality and high sensitivity, and, accordingly, the most high prices... Buying for home use is also possible if you are doing track or voice recording.

Which type of microphone is best?

Condenser microphones

Condenser microphones consist, in fact, of a condenser, one of the plates of which is made of an elastic metallized material, due to which it is mobile and is exposed to sound waves. Thus, with its fluctuations, the capacitance of the capacitor changes, there are alternating currents and the acoustic waves are converted into an electrical signal.

These microphones are perfect for the studio, thanks to the clearest, highest quality audio capture available. But they also have a number of disadvantages - they are very sensitive to the environment, react to humidity, temperature, distance to the sound source and general noisy space. So in the studio, with stationary use for sound recording, it will be possible to reveal the positive qualities of the microphone and avoid the negative ones. If you still want to purchase such a microphone for home use, remember that you will at least need a good sound card and an amplifier with phantom 48 Volts.

Benefits of condenser microphones

Wider frequency range and radiation pattern
High-quality and clear sound - thanks to high sensitivity
There are very miniature models

disadvantages

· Requires additional power supply - usually requires 48V phantom power, which is not available on all mixing consoles. This imposes a limitation on the scope of use.
· Difficult to use in "field" conditions - they react to changes in temperature, humidity, etc.
Fragility of construction
· Catches all reflected noise, echo. The downside of high sensitivity
· High price

Electret microphones

Electret microphone the device is similar to the capacitor. There is also a miniature capacitor with a movable plate, the signal is pre-amplified using a field-effect transistor. These microphones also require 3 V phantom power, which is no longer a problem for any built-in sound card... They can be very compact.

Electret microphones have the miniature condenser microphones, but are unpretentious to use and cheap. Unfortunately, at the same time, they cannot boast of good sound transmission and sensitivity, but they are ideal for an ordinary user for the purpose of voice communication (via Skype, for example).

disadvantages

Poor audio capture quality
Less sensitivity

Advantages

No additional power supply needed
Simplicity in use, insensitive to conditions of use
Compactness