Microphones

The role of a microphone is to transform mechanical energy, sound, into electrical energy, an audio signal. In some microphones, the active circuits, such as impedance converters, filters, transformers or amplifiers, also generate noise due to the active electronic components that they are made up of and through which the audio signal from the transducer passes. In the case of condenser microphones, the very high impedance of the transducer necessarily leads to the use of an impedance converter, based on the tube or transistor technology. The chapter looks at moving coil dynamic microphones, ribbon microphones, condenser microphones and finally, electret microphones. Ribbon microphones fall into the category of dynamic microphones, but they can be operated with phantom power. Condenser types of microphones are known for their excellent audio quality and high sensitivity. The use of a ribbon microphone forces the user to consider a bidirectional directionality, which is technologically attached to their design and operation.