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The Quick Guide to Microphones and Applications

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microphones

Microphones are used for a variety of applications in many different types of venues. Finding the right one can be a chore with so many options and factors to consider. AV Superstore has put together a quick guide to help customers learn about their options.

Types of Microphones

Condenser

This type of microphone has a capacitor capsule inside of it. The capacitor has a solid back plate and a diaphragm made of a thin, flexible material. This diaphragm vibrates when hit with sound waves, changing the distance between it and the solid back plate, which changes the capacitance. These microphones need a voltage to operate, which can be supplied by phantom power or a battery inside of the mic.

Condenser microphones have a greater frequency response and transient response, but are very sensitive to loud sounds. However, they are the microphone of choice for recording vocals in a quiet environment.

Dynamic

These microphones work by electromagnetic induction. There is a diaphragm with an induction coil attached on the inside of the mic. The coil is positioned within the magnetic field of a permanent magnet. When sound waves enter the mic, they make the diaphragm vibrate, which in turn causes the coil within the magnetic field to vibrate. This creates a varying current and turns the sound into electrical energy. The electrical signal created can then be amplified with a microphone pre-amp or mixing desk.

Dynamic microphones are more rugged in style than condenser microphones allowing them to be resistant to moisture and other accidents. This style of microphone also has less sensitivity to distant sounds and minimizes feedback, making them an excellent choice for use in live environments.

Wired vs. Wireless

Microphones can be wireless, or be powered through a cable (wired). Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the choice ultimately comes down to the application. Before deciding between the two, ask these questions:

  • Is the performer/speaker going to be stationary or moving about?

If whoever is speaking will be stationary, a wired microphone with a stand will work just fine. However, many people like to move about while speaking, or must for their presentation. The cables of a wired microphone can make that difficult or hazardous. For more mobile speakers, a wireless microphone makes more sense.

  • Is syncing the receiver and transmitter going to be difficult for wireless options?

While a sound engineer isn’t needed to use a wireless microphone, not everyone is adept at using them. They require a little more knowledge and set-up than their wired counterparts. If learning and remembering how to sync the transmitter and receiver will be an issue, a wired microphone might be a better fit.

  • What type of microphone is needed?

Handheld microphones can be either wired or wireless. Other styles of microphones, such as lavalier and headset, are only wireless. So, the type of microphone needed can make the wired or wireless decision easy.

Styles of Microphones

Handheld

Able to be both wired or wireless, handheld microphones are used in a variety of applications. Presenters and lecturers can use them if they don’t mind having only one hand free. If they need both hands, they can set the microphone in a stand, but this limits their mobility.

Applications: Handheld microphones are great for seminars, lectures, and meetings.

Shotgun

Shotgun microphones need to be pointed directly at the speaker to adequately pick up the sound. They are generally set on the table in a fixed position facing whoever is speaking. Shotgun mics can also be used as a boom for broadcast and media productions.

Applications: Shotgun microphones are used most often in meetings and conferences or for broadcast.

Gooseneck

Gooseneck microphones are flexible, which allow the user to adjust it for the best audio possible. They are attached to a podium, installed in a table, or plugged into a microphone base.

Applications: Many meetings and conferences use this style of microphone.

Boundary Microphones

This style of microphone is positioned near or flush with a boundary or surface. It can be used to record whole room sound while barely being noticed.

Applications: This can be used for meetings or classrooms where an unobtrusive microphone is needed.

Lavalier

This wireless microphone has a transmitter in a body pack that can be clipped onto a belt or pocket of the speaker. The mic itself clips onto clothing, such as a collar. Lavalier mics give the speaker ultimate mobility during a presentation.

Applications: Broadcast, presentations, houses of worship, and teachers will reap the benefits of these mics.

Headset

Headset microphones clip behind the user’s ear and position the microphone close to their mouth. The transmitter is part of the ear clip.

Applications: These are ideal for workout instructors, theater actors, and anyone else who needs freedom to move.

AV Superstore has a large variety of wired and wireless microphones available. Talk with their audio experts for help finding the perfect microphone for any event or venue.

Wireless Microphone Systems

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Wireless Microphone Systems

Wireless microphones project a speaker’s voice while allowing them to move freely about the room during a presentation. There are a variety of wireless microphone systems and components on the market, but every system consists of these three parts:

  1. Microphone

There are three common types of wireless microphones, each with a specific purpose.

  • Handheld

While this is the simplest wireless microphone, it also produces the highest quality of audio of all the options. This is due to the size of the diaphragm that it has. It is easily passed around for question and answer settings or interviewing.

  • Lavalier

For speakers who need both hands free during a presentation, the lavalier microphone is their best option. It can be attached in many ways, reducing its visibility. The mobility and use of both hands makes up for the slight reduction in sound quality. This type of microphone connects to the transmitter via a thin cable.

  • Headset

For those who need complete freedom for movement, such as performers and fitness instructors, headset microphones are a common choice. The microphone is positioned close to the mouth and away from clothing so it doesn’t pick up any movement sounds. The transmitter for this microphone is in the ear clip, which is connected to the microphone by a thin, pliable wire.

  1. Transmitter

The transmitter sends the sound from the microphone to the wireless receiver at the mixing console. There are two types: handheld and bodypack. Handheld microphones have the transmitter built in to the microphone itself.

  1. Receiver

The receiver processes the signals that the transmitter sends, converting them into an electrical signal, which produces the live audio the audience hears. Receivers are available in single or multi-channel options, depending on the number of wireless microphones being used.

In addition to how hands-free the speaker needs to be, there are many technical factors that can have an impact on which type of wireless microphone is best.

  • Transmission

Wireless microphones systems can have analog or digital transmitters. Choosing which type of transmitter relies heavily on how many wireless microphones will be used simultaneously. If one or two microphones are being used, a digital transmitter will work. If there’s multiple microphones being used, analog is a better fit. These transmitters have a range of frequencies, allowing multiple speakers to perform without interfering with one another.

Another transmission factor to consider is if it broadcasts in UHF or VHF. Very high frequency (VHF) is a range of radio frequencies between 49 and 216MHz. This is separated into low band (49108MHz) and high band (169-216MHz). The low band shares frequencies with telephones, television channels, and more. It is not a good range for interference-free wireless microphone usage. High band is used in professional applications throughout the United States. There are two specific bands that are approved for wireless microphone users.

Ultra high frequency (UHF) also has several bands approved for use with wireless microphone systems. UHF radio waves are much shorter in wavelength, which translates into reduced efficiency of transmission through the air, walls, and people. This results in a shorter range for the wireless microphone system. However, with their greater bandwidth, UHF signals have greater audio dynamic range.

  • Travel Capabilities

For traveling speakers, their gear needs to be able to travel with them safely and be set up easily. They should consider rack mounts to reduce set-up time. The connections stay in place while moving and the rack mounts protect the gear from potential damage. The receiver traveling speakers use should have a removable antenna to prevent the antenna from accidentally being snapped off.

  • Signal Distance

Speakers who move around during a speech need to consider the transmission range of the system. If they walk too far away from the receiver, or something obstructs the path, the signal reception and sound quality can be compromised. Look at a system that has a longer transmission range to prevent this problem.

When shopping for a wireless microphone system be sure to check out AV Superstore’s selection of wireless microphone systems and accessories. Talk to our audio experts to find the right system for a speech, presentation, or performance.