Wireless Microphone

A transducer

One of the most used pieces of technology present in every phone, laptop and countless other devices, the microphone is a transducer - a device that converts energy from one form into another. In this instance converting sound into electrical signals so the sound can be reproduced through a speaker. Used for real-time purposes such as phone calls or for recording, like when a singer records the vocal layer of a song.

Microphones are also called mics or mikes for short. A lot of microphones need to be connected to a pre-amp so the signal coming from them can be amplified before it is sent to a recorder, or a sound system without which the sound might be quite low and digitally turning it up would add noise and distortion.

Microphone types

Based on various technologies over time, the essential purpose is the same to capture sound. The most commonly used microphones are the dynamic microphone and the condenser microphone - after these two comes the crystal microphone. The dynamic microphone is used most as it is rugged, resistant to moisture and relatively inexpensive. It is also able to handle loud sound without generating feedback through the speakers, this ability coupled with the other pros makes it crucial to live performances.

Condenser microphones require a power source and are more ideal for studio recordings or use in labs and are more suitable because they can pick up sounds that are very low, as the sensor inside has a smaller mass to be moved by vibration. Essentially, in a condenser microphone unlike other microphones, the sound has to do lesser work for the signal to be picked up. The crystal microphones work better as contact microphones that pick up vibrations from objects rather than the air or in harsh environments such as recording underwater. The contact ability also helps with acoustic equipment like a drum kit.

Directional and other differences

Microphones are designed with different sound directional capture abilities as some pick-up sound from all angles and some more from the front Vs. the back. This depends on where the microphone has to be used and for what. Noise-cancelling microphones are also common allowing for the sound you want to be picked up and other ambient sounds to be dimmed resulting in a more clear base signal. At concerts, this is very helpful when the shouting of the crowd doesn't get added into the singer's mic as much, retaining the essence of his or her voice or in aeroplane cockpits the general noise is cut out so the pilot is more audible. Some of these work based on two diaphragms as one diaphragm picks up the main source of the sound the other picks up the ambient sounds and subtracts those or by a single diaphragm being placed closer to one port and inversely father from the other port. The port the diaphragm is closer to being the main source in this case.

Wireless microphones

Wireless microphones are also common that are used at concerts or for giving presentations. Providing the advantage of more mobility over a stage or around a hall. TV show hosts also use a smaller version of wireless microphones, known as lavalier microphone. These can be clipped onto one's clothes for ease of use.

Comments

Companies produce different kinds of microphones under the same umbrella so one brand might be making 3 different kinds of wireless microphones depending on user requirements. Commonly known brands include Shure, Sennheiser, Neumann (also owned by Sennheiser), Rode, AKG, Electro-Voice, DPA and Royer Labs.