Dynamic and Condenser Microphones

A microphone is an example of a transducer, a device that changes energy from one form into another, in this case, acoustic energy into electrical energy. Sound information exists as patterns of air pressure; the microphone actually picks up this sound information and converts it into patterns of electric current. The recording engineer is interested in the accuracy of this transformation, a concept he thinks of as fidelity.

A variety of mechanical techniques can be used in building microphones. These are the two most common types of microphones in the world:

Dynamic microphones
Dynamic microphones are the type most widely used in live sound, which refers to the design of the microphone capsule. This type are economical and rugged, with fairly low sensitivity, good for handheld or "close-miked" applications. Dynamics microphones are commonly used for solo vocalists and on drum kits. They can provide excellent sound quality and good specifications in all areas of microphone performance. In particular, they can handle extremely high sound levels: it is almost impossible to overload a dynamic microphone.

Dynamic microphones employ a diaphragm/voice coil/magnet assembly which forms a miniature sounddrivenelectrical generator. Sound waves strike a thin plastic membrane (diaphragm) which vibrates in response. A small coil of wire (voice coil) is attached to the rear of the diaphragm and vibrates with it. The voice coil itself is surrounded by a magnetic field created by a small permanent magnet. It is the motion of the voice coil in this magnetic field which generates the electrical signal corresponding to the sound picked up by a dynamic microphone.

Condenser microphones
Condenser microphones are typically (but not always) much more sensitive than dynamics and can provide a smoother, more naturalsound, particularly at high frequencies. Flat frequency response and extended frequency range are much easier to obtain in a condenser. In addition, condenser microphones can be made very small without significant loss of performance. Typically used for recording orchestras, choirs, and in other applications where you wish to capture the sound of the ensemble, versus individual sounds.

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