Types of microphones
Today there is a huge selection of microphones on the market for a variety of needs. They have different sizes and designs. With many Asian companies entering the market in recent years, it is very easy for the average consumer to become confused. What characteristics should you pay the closest attention to? What are they? Answers to these and other questions can be found below in the text.
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Microphone types
They are divided into different types depending on their technical characteristics. They are:
- Variety.
- Reporters.
- Studio.
- Studio broadcasters.
- Instrumental.
- For sound recording.
They are also found for some highly specialized tasks, so the division of microphones into different types can be called very arbitrary.
By purpose
They are used both in phones and in players, voice recorders and tablets. They can even be found in cameras and camcorders. All of these devices are equipped with microphones, but in the article we will talk about other types of these devices that are used for other purposes.
Variety. These devices are needed for artists and presenters who want to be heard by a large mass of people in the hall. This microphone boasts excellent fixation in special rack mounts.
Reporter's. intended for journalists. They are equipped with a concealed carry system and are designed even for windy conditions.
Studio, used on TV.They can be flat and almost invisible. Their task is to record all the words of the presenter.
Studio broadcast. They are used on both TV and radio. With their help, you can easily record program programs. They are also equipped with special switches to change the directional characteristics.
For recording studios. Such devices can be installed on special racks and used for a music studio.
Instrumental instruments perceive all the nuances of sound even in the case of strong resistance to powerful pressure.
According to the operating principle
There are several types of microphones used today. They can be like capacitor and dynamic. These devices have many advantages, which is why they are widely used in all spheres of life in modern society.
Dynamic, are equipped with a special element that is responsible for converting waves into electrical vibrations. This special element is the speaker. Another important element of a dynamic microphone is the coil. It plays an important role in creating induction current. A complex mechanism allows you to achieve ideal sound quality. Such a microphone does not require any additional power, so it is used by both pop performers and reporters during their work. These devices are not very sensitive to temperature changes and are highly reliable.
Capacitor, cannot boast of the same resistance to negative natural phenomena, but the sound quality of this technology is much higher than in the case of dynamic microphones.
Another feature of these devices is that they require additional power.This fact may upset those who advocate making microphones more portable, but modern scientific advances have made it possible to solve this problem in the most elegant way. In particular, either batteries or an amplifier and mixer are used for power. It is very easy and simple, so today there are no problems with power supply for these devices.
It can be said that condenser microphones are popular, but they will not be the choice of journalists and reporters working in hot spots. Just a couple of drops of rain can cause this equipment to malfunction. In addition, such models are used much less frequently than dynamic ones due to their complex design.
According to spatial directional characteristics
Modern microphones are also divided depending on the characteristics of spatial directionality. Among the most popular types are devices with the following types of orientation: cardioid, circular pattern and hypercarioid. There are also other types of directionality, but they are used much less frequently, so there is no particular point in dwelling on them and analyzing their features.
Omnidirectional microphones are considered the most popular. This is due to the fact that it does not matter to them exactly how the sound source is located in relation to the microphone diaphragm. This is very important, because otherwise it would be inconvenient to use the microphone. Such a device can pick up sounds no matter what the position of the sound sources.
Cardioid, is also distinguished by the presence of certain directional characteristics. If in one of the hemispheres it is very sensitive, then this cannot be said about the other hemisphere.Such microphones can serve several sound sources at once. Most often, these are used on stage during musical concerts or performances by artists. The technical data of such devices are excellent for vocals and choral singing.
Hypercardioid, can receive sound from very distant sound sources. Its diaphragm should be located in a perpendicular position with respect to the axis that can be drawn between the sources of any sounds, as well as the device itself. Even a very small deviation can cause a significant drop in sound quality. Such microphones are also called guns. They are used by both reporters and representatives of other professions. The thing is that this device perfectly picks up sound even if the sound source is very far away.