How does the microphone change sound into an electrical signal? The operating principle describes the type of transducer inside the microphone. It is the part of the microphone that actually picks up sound and converts it into an electrical signal. The operating principle determines some of the basic capabilities of the microphone. There are six key types of microphone:
All employ different mechanisms to convert sound energy to electrical energy. Hence all have different advantages and disadvantages. You will hence need to choose the right type of microphone for the right type of application.
The microphone is the first link in the audio chain and is therefore critical to the overall performance of a sound system. The fidelity with which a microphone generates an electrical representation of a sound depend, in part, on the method by which it performs the energy conversion. Historycally, a number of different methods have been developed for varying purposes, and today a wide variety of microphone types may be found in everyday use.
Improper selection of microphones may prevent the rest of the system from functioning to its full potential. Proper selection of microphones depends on an understanding of basic microphone characteristics and on a knowledge of the intended application. To be most effective, a microphone must be matched both to the desired sound source (voice, musical instrument, etc.) and to the sound system (PA system, tape recorder, etc.) with which it is used. There are five areas of microphone characteristics that must be considered when selecting a microphone for a particular application. They are: