Microphones Buying Guide

Microphones  are often used in the every day for things such as hearing aids,  telephones,  movie production,  speeches, and radio programs.The instrument acts as a converter of sound into electric signals so that your voice can be amplified throughout a space. Many microphones are designed to pick up specific frequencies so that when you are making a speech or singing a song, low sounds like taking a breath inward or dropping the mic are not magnified. Depending on your needs, different models are offered.

Types

These are the main two types of microphones that you will typically see being used.

Dynamic Microphones  When you think of a microphone, this is typically the model you will picture. While they are not known for picking up subtleties in sound, they do work well with loud sound sources such as instruments and voices,  and they are extremely durable. One type of dynamic microphone is called a ribbon mic,  which produces a smooth sound and is often used by engineers.	Capacitor Microphones  The capacitor mic uses conducting plates that produce a signal when noise passes through it. This model is capable of picking up on all types of sounds throughout the tonal range and as a result is an expensive piece of equipment. A cheaper type of capacitor microphone is called an electret microphone.

Functions

Certain microphone models are used for specific applications--see some of the most common ones below.

Lavalier Microphones  This is a small microphone that is worn on your body and connected and fastened with a clip.  It works by connecting to a transmitter that you wear.	Wireless Microphones  As the name suggests, this mic operates without wires and uses a transmitter  to generate sound.	Contact Microphones  This microphone is designed to pick up vibrations at a low level from a solid object--one such example of its use is to monitor insects.	Parabolic Microphones  This is an extremely sensitive microphone that can pick up sounds from long distances. It is most accurate when used for outdoor sporting events or monitoring conversations.	Noise-Cancelling Microphones  These mics help to reduce background sounds and noise and enhance the voice of the person using the equipment. For this reason they are frequently used at concerts.

Extras

Use these items to set up your mic and give it proper amplification.

Mic Stand  If you find that holding a mic while you are making a speech or singing a song is an inconvenience, a mic stand is useful to have.	Boom  Attaching a boom to your mic stand can aid in angling the sound equipment towards an amp or drum set.	Cable  A heavy duty  microphone cable is great to have if you plan on moving around a stage or a room while using.	Amplifier  An amp is important to have when hooking up your mic. It can help the sound to travel across a large room.

Related Guides

Electronics	Musical Instruments	Amplifiers	AV Conferencing

External Links

• Soundonsound.com:  All about choosing a microphone.
• Wikipedia.org: An in-depth look at microphones.