What are the main types of microphones, and how do they work?
The main types of microphones used in live and recorded audio are Dynamic, and Condenser. Also, very expensive ribbon mics have been used in some studios over the years. The Dynamic mic uses a thin membrane connected to a coil of wire, which is electromagnetically charged and suspended around a magnet or something charged with magnetic polarity. When the air waves hit the membrane it vibrates at the same frequencies, causing the electromagnetic field to vary at a certain speed, which moves an electrical signal through whatever you plug the mic into. The Condenser mic is really just an electronic capacitor. It works on electrostatic principles, rather than electromagnetic principles like the dynamic and ribbon mics. It has one moveable plate and one fixed plate. When air waves hit the membrane it vibrates at the same frequencies, causing the two plates to move closer together. As the distance between the plates decreases, the capacitance increases. When the distance increases, the capac
