Microphones are one of the wondrous modern technologies that have proven to be extremely useful. Gone are the days when you need to scream at the top of your lungs to make sure that your voice could be heard throughout the entire venue. Microphones can pick up even a mere whisper and magnify it to a point where everyone can clearly hear out. However, how do microphones work?
How Do Microphones Work:
Well, this can’t be explained in very simple matters. To understand the entire process, you need to understand some terms.
- Transducer: A transducer is simply a device that has the ability to convert energy from one form to another.
- Mechanical Energy: It is the type of energy an object possesses when it is in motion, or due to its position. Similarly, sound waves are also made of particles, so the energy possessed by these waves is called mechanical wave energy.
- Diaphragm: similar to its biological counterpart, the diaphragm makes movements to create vibrations. It also works as a barrier between two chambers.
- Electrical Energy: Hope you still remember your science class. Because even a kid knows this.
Moving on, a microphone is an electrical device. Its basic function is amplification, which is done with electrical signals. However, sound waves are analog; the opposite of digital. So how can amplification occur? Better yet, how does the microphone produce its own signal?
One more thing before we move on; amplification is not exclusive to digital waves. Analog waves can also be amplified. It’s just that microphones are digital in nature, thus amplification occurs with digital. Also, not all microphones do amplification.
Microphones, in essence, are transducers. They convert mechanical wave energy or sound energy into audio signals that is electrical energy. That conversion is done through the diaphragm in the microphone. When subjected to a sound wave, it starts to vibrate, creating a coinciding audio signal according to the principles of electromagnetic or electrostatic physics. That output is what you receive at the end.
There are many ways to explain this phenomenon. However, for many, the science behind such devices can be quite boring if you are not interested in the deep features.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How close should your mic be to your mouth?
Holding the mic directly in front of your mouth can cause weird situations. Modern microphones are extremely sensitive compared to older ones, so if you do that, everyone would be hearing each breath you are taking. The recommended distance is 1 to 3 inches. This produces a nice, consistent, and overall pleasant sound from you without alerting everyone every time you are going to breathe.
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