What is a Condenser Microphone?
Capturing sound for live performances or recording purposes can be a tricky proposition, as several outside factors–such as background noise, humming, distorting, etc.– will affect the clarity and quality of the tone captured. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the best microphone for each individual job. For some jobs, a dynamic mic or directional mic may work best, but in other applications, a condenser microphone will produce the clearest and most nuanced sound. The name condenser microphone actually refers to a capacitor system, in which two two plates with voltage between them are used to create sound. The outer plate, or diaphragm, is typically made of a thin material that vibrates when sound waves strike it. The vibration changes the distance between the two plates, thereby changing the capacitance. In order for this to occur, however, a voltage must be present between the two plates. A condenser microphone must therefore be powered. Many variations of the condenser micropho
