To fully understand microphones, it’s critical to comprehend how audio works in terms of inputs, outputs, and signal flow. When working with computer audio, it’s critical to understand the system’s input devices and output devices. Are microphones input or output devices? When a microphone is connected to a computer (via an audio interface or another…
Microphones act as transducers, converting sound waves (mechanical wave energy) into audio signals (electrical energy). The movement of this electrical energy is called current, which happens in one of two ways: alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). Are microphones AC or DC devices? Some microphones require DC voltages to power their active circuitries (internal…
Microphones are used extensively in today’s music, television, radio, and other media. The vast majority of recorded music today is in stereo. Still, the voice in many voice-centric recordings (podcasts, vlogs, etc.) is often mono (if but only panned centre in a stereo mix). Do microphones output mono or stereo signals? Microphones convert sound waves…
Microphones are used every single day to record both analog and digital audio. Hence, it makes sense that there is a bit of confusion about whether microphones are analog or digital devices or both. Are microphones analog or digital? Microphones convert sound waves into AC electrical audio signals and are therefore analog devices. However, some…
In hopes of expanding your horizons of what microphone manufacturers exist out there in the world, I’ve compiled a list of microphone manufacturers. Related articles:• Full List Of Headphone, Earphone & Headset Brands/Manufacturers• Full List: Loudspeaker & Studio Monitor Brands/Manufacturers• Top 10 Best Online Audio Gear/Equipment Retailers Click here to return to My New Microphone’s…
Lavalier and lapel microphones. Sometimes you see them; sometimes you don’t. Sometimes it’s effortless to hide them away, sometimes it’s not practical, and sometimes they absolutely must not be seen! So how and where do we attach a lavalier/lapel microphone? Lavalier (lapel) microphones often have removable clips that attach to clothing and other material. Alternatively, adhesive…
If you’ve only ever used stage microphones, chances are you haven’t used a microphone shock mount either. Those big basket-looking microphone holders we see so often in studio settings are there for a good reason. Let’s talk about it! What is a microphone shock mount, and why is it important? A shock mount effectively holds a…
You’ve probably seen a microphone pop filter before in either videos, pictures, or in person. It’s that thing in between the vocalist and the microphone. What is a microphone pop filter, and when should you use one? A microphone pop filter is a device used to protect mic capsules from plosive energy. A pop filter helps…
If you’ve worked on a film set or have seen pictures of work being done, you may have asked yourself why the microphone is covered in fur. What is that dead cat (yes, “deadcat” is an actual industry term) doing at the end of that boom pole? So what are dead cats, and why are…
Before my career as an audio technician, it was magic to me that by speaking into a microphone, my voice could be recreated at a much louder level through a loudspeaker. The technical reasons why would come to me years later. It all starts with the audio signal created by the microphone. So what is…
If you’ve ever spoken into a microphone before, you probably know to speak into the metal grille for the best results. Chanced are you’ve spoken into a handheld microphone with a spherical grille. Microphone grilles come in many shapes and sizes and have many purposes for microphone performance! So what is a microphone grille? A…
Some microphones come with switchable options, including various polar patterns, attenuation pads, and, as the title of this article suggests, high-pass filters! The microphone high-pass filter (HPF) proves to be a useful option for many microphone applications. Let’s talk about HPFs and how they relate to microphones. So what is a microphone high-pass filter, and…
