Microphones are an essential part of any studio. Moreover, no social event is complete without this device. But few people know that these devices can have different designs and different technical characteristics. It should be said right away that the material will focus on such a device as an electrodynamic microphone. Although it does not provide the best sound quality.
Recognized leaders in this regard are condenser microphones. But due to their high cost, mass use at concerts and various events is impossible. They remain an expensive decoration for professional recording studios. Electrodynamic microphones are used anytime, anywhere. They may have some design differences, but the principle of operation remains the same. So, let's talk about the design features, technical characteristics and the principle of operation of electrodynamic microphones. But first, a little history.
First microphones
During the birth of sound recording devices, electrodynamic devices were absent. The world's first microphones were all carbon. Inside the device was a very smallcoal powder, which began to vibrate only when it reached the sound wave generated by the speaker's voice. The vibrations caused an electrical impulse and the sound was transmitted further along the wires. It is worth noting that carbon microphones are still used in telephones, as only they can be small enough to fit in the handset of the device.
But carbon mics didn't last long in the recording industry. Soon there were devices operating on the electrodynamic principle. They provided better sound quality.
The first electrodynamic devices for recording sound had a coil design and were distinguished by high sound quality (compared to carbon counterparts). These devices were used at concerts, speeches and rallies. Of course, the first microphones looked rather unusual: they were bulky devices with low sensitivity. As a result, the speaker almost had to kiss the microphone. But it was still a breakthrough.
Already after electrodynamics, capacitor devices appeared. They began to be massively used in professional recording studios. For only they provided the highest sound quality.
But let's get back to electrodynamic devices and take a closer look at possible design options for the device.
Coil microphones
This design has been used since the beginning. But even now, an electrodynamic microphone with a coil structure is widely used at various events. Its design is as follows: inside the device there is a coil of the thinnest wire with a permanent magnet. This design is covered by a diaphragm, which captures the vibrations produced by the speaker's voice. The membrane transmits vibration to the coil, which begins to oscillate and transmits the vibration in the form of an impulse to the coils of wire. Further, the electrical impulse goes through the modulator along the wires to the amplification device (amplifier), where it is converted into a digestible sound. This design of the microphone is very reliable, as it contains a minimum number of mechanical parts subject to wear. Coil microphones are widely used at various events. But they try not to use them at concerts. The sound quality is not good enough.
Ribbon microphones
They appeared somewhat later than reel-to-reel ones and have design features that improve sound quality. The principle of operation is similar to coil models.
But there is a difference. Instead of a coil, a thin film of noble metals is used, which captures the smallest vibrations of the diaphragm, converts them into an electrical impulse and sends it further.
A distinctive feature of ribbon microphones compared to reel-to-reel microphones is their noticeably lower weight. These devices are widely used at concerts and various events of the appropriate scale, since they have a frequency range from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. An electrodynamic microphone with such a frequency range is quite suitable forstudio recording. That is why they are the most widely used among professional musicians.
Microphone directivity
This characteristic directly affects the sound quality. A directional microphone can only pick up the speaker's voice from a specific angle. This is only good if you do not need to record many voices from one device.
Umbrella microphones are now little used. For their needs, professionals prefer microphones with a cardioid pattern. This means that the device is able to record everything that happens around it within certain limits. The trouble is that such properties are possessed mainly by capacitor devices. Electrodynamic devices with such characteristics exist in very limited quantities and are quite expensive. Most devices using the electrodynamic principle of operation are directional. And this is another minus in their address.
Microphone sensitivity
This characteristic shows at what distance from the membrane the device is able to pick up sounds. But it depends not only on the microphone itself. The amplifier also plays an important role in this matter.
How to increase microphone sensitivity? You need to choose a good amplifier or receiver that can fully reveal all the capabilities of the device. Another way is to replace the connecting wires. High-quality wires - the key to highsensitivity. That is why many professionals prefer proven wired microphones to wireless stations. For the latter, the sensitivity and all other characteristics directly depend on the distance to the receiver. And wired models require only high-quality cords. They can be any length.
Stereo microphones
This is a very interesting design, which includes one directional microphone and one cardioid, located in the same housing. Recording is carried out by two devices at once, which allows you to get stereo sound at the output. These microphones are very bulky. Therefore, they are used only in studios or radio stations. Electrodynamic microphones can also be used as sound recording devices.
However, manufacturers prefer capacitor models. They are easier to place in one case. However, electrodynamic models are also available. They're just not as widespread. The sound of a microphone of this design is very high quality. Stereo mode can also be considered an important plus.
Most famous manufacturers
Now not many companies are engaged in the production of high-quality electrodynamic microphones. This is a rather tedious and resource-intensive task. A good studio microphone can be found from companies such as Shure, Behringer, Sennhiser. Electrodynamic devices from Philips and Sony are also widely used. But they are only good for shouting in karaoke after a stormyfeast. The most eminent and proven manufacturers are precisely the first trinity. That's just they produce high-quality products for the needs of professionals. The sound of the microphone in this case plays a decisive role. And the listed companies are fine with that. It's not for nothing that recording professionals prefer the products of these manufacturers.
Microphones for home use
These devices are produced by almost all well-known manufacturers of consumer electronics. A review of microphones from the most famous brands (Sony, Philips, LG, VVK) suggests that these devices are capable of providing fairly high-quality sound during use. But they are not capable of recording a high-quality sound path. They can only be used with modern consumer DVD players in karaoke mode. They are also suitable for some celebrations (weddings, rallies, speeches, interviews). And in this case, the question of how to increase the sensitivity of the microphone does not arise, since this is impossible. These devices have a predetermined sensitivity. And it is not possible to improve this characteristic.
Many devices of this class are wireless, which also adversely affects the sensitivity of the device. Be that as it may, such microphones are quite enough for home use. But for home studio equipment, it is better to look for something higher class.
Conclusion
So, we have considered what an electrodynamic microphone is, its principle of operation and design features. This device is perfect forrecording tracks, concert use, organization of public events. Entry-level models have shown themselves perfectly in home use. But for studio equipment, it is still better to choose a condenser microphone. It delivers better sound quality and is more directional.
