A transducer which converts sound vibrations received from the air into variations of electrical current. The principle of the microphone is the exact reverse of that of the loudspeaker and is very different in size and appearance; however, at a low level of fidelity the two may be interchangeable (see Pickup). Different methods of microphone design result in a variety of directional characteristics, especially cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-of-eight, each of which has its specialized applications.
Microphones are used both for amplification of voices and instruments in live performance and in making recordings. Singing with a microphone necessitates the application of techniques such as turning the head aside from the microphone when taking a breath, and taking care to avoid ‘pops’ with loud plosive consonants such as ‘d’ and ‘t’. Live recording in concerts often involves only two microphones (often configured as a ‘crossed’ pair) for stereophonic imaging, whereas studio recordings of large forces may require each player or small group of players to be equipped with an individual microphone. For further information see T. Cary: Illustrated Compendium of Musical Technology (London, 1992), 273–95.
HUGH DAVIES