Definition of a Condenser Microphone
The elements of a condenser microphone were first conceived and invented by Alexander Graham Bell for use in his invention of the telephone. Since then technical advancements have vastly improved the microphone's capabilities and several different types are in use in a wide range of audio devices including tape recorders, computers, hearing aids and, of course, telephones.
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Types Of Microphones
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There are three main types of microphones. Dynamic microphones, piezoelectric microphones and condenser microphones.
How A Condenser Microphone Works
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A condenser microphone uses a thin membrane placed between two capacitor plates. The membrane vibrates when struck by sound, whether produced by the human voice or an external source. That vibration is converted into an electrical signal that mimics the varying levels of the original sound.
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Audio To Electrical Conversion In a Condenser Microphone
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The movement of the condenser microphone membrane works on the same principle as the workings of the inner ear. Variations in sound produce a similar variation in electrical current and are reproduced as an electrical output to an amplifying device.
Output Of a Condenser Microphone
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The reproduced electrical signal, which is a byproduct of induced sound on the condenser microphone membrane, is indistinguishable to the human ear. Thus, the signal must be transmitted to an audio device that will amplify the signal and raise it to a level that can be electrically manipulated sufficiently to be heard.
Amplified Output Of a Condenser Microphone
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The amplified output electrical signal of a condenser microphone must be transmitted to a conversion device, such as an audio mixing console or public address system. The resulting electrical amplification converts the signal into a recognizable audio facsimile of the original input sound.
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