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Microphone Terms

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amplify: Used to electronically magnify sound waves by increasing voltage, power or current to an audio signal for mixing, distribution, and/or transducing purposes.
boom: Any device for suspending a microphone above and in front of a performer.
capacitor: The part of the condenser microphone that stores electrical energy and permits the flow of alternating current.
cardioid: A microphone that picks up sound in a heart-shaped pattern.
condenser microphone: A high-quality mic whose transducer consists of a diaphragm, backplate and capacitor.

decibel (dB): A unit of measurement of sound that compares the relative intensity of different sound sources.
diaphragm: The vibrating element in a microphone that responds to the compressed air molecules of sound waves.
dynamic mic: A rugged microphone whose transducer consists of a diaphragm connected to a moveable coil.
equalize: To emphasize, lessen or eliminate certain audio frequencies.
group master fader: A volume control on an audio board that handles a subgroup of input channels before they are sent to the master fader.

handheld microphone: A microphone that a person holds to speak or sing into.
high impedance: A characteristic of microphones that have a great deal of opposition to the flow of alternating current through them and therefore must have short cables; high-impedance mics are less likely to be used in professional situations than low-impedance microphones.
impedance: Opposition to the flow of an audio signal in a microphone and its cable.
lapel microphone: A small mic often clipped inside clothing or on a tie or lapel.
lavalier microphone: A small mic that can be worn around the neck on a cord.

master fader: The audio volume control that is located after all the input channel controls and after the submaster controls.
noise: Unwanted sound or static in an audio signal or unwanted electronic disturbance of snow in the video signal.
omnidirectional microphone: A microphone that picks up sound from all directions.
preamp: An electronic device that magnifies the low signal output of microphones and other transducers before the signal is sent to a mixing board or to other amplifiers.
shotgun: A highly-directional microphone used for picking up sounds from a distance.

three-to-one rule: A microphone placement principle that states if two mikes must be side by side, there should be three times the distance between them than there is between the mikes and the people using them.
unbalanced line: Audio cables that have two wires: one for positive and one for both negative and ground.
wireless microphone: A microphone with a self-contained, built-in miniature FM transmitter that can send the audio signal several hundred feet, thereby eliminating the need for cables running between the microphone and the recorder or amplifier.

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Microphone Guides

Microphone Pickup Patterns

Microphones are made with certain applications in mind. For example, stage use, studio use or field recording use. The way that a microphone picks up sound from various directions is known as its pickup pattern.
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How Microphones Work

Microphones simply convert a sound wave into an electrical signal. They convert audio energy into electrical energy. This is accomplished with a small, light material in them called the diaphragm.
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Wireless Microphone Components

Wireless microphones are both very convenient (no worrying about cables), and can present new challenges at the same time (batteries or phantom power needed, interference from outside sources can cause problems).
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Avoiding Wireless Microphone Woes

One of the most obvious advantages of integrating a wireless microphone system into your sound is that you have the freedom to move about without the distraction or limitation that a wired microphone cable creates.
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Microphones Etc. — Wireless Microphones| Headset Microphones| Wired Microphones| Lavalier Microphones