Microphone Basics

Type, Frequency Response & Polar Pattern - A broad overview

(image license: CC0, pexels.com)

by

Manoj Jons, music technologist

jonsmanoj@gmail.com
History
Microphones where first used in the earlier telephones and radio transmission to convert the
sound waves to electrical voltages.

Historians say that Sir Charles Wheatstone coined the phrase microphone in 1820s. In 1870s,
David Hughes invented the carbon microphone which was used by Graham Bell for Telephony.
Carbon microphone, which used change in resistance of carbon granules, were used mostly in
AM radio transmitter and legacy telephone.

In the 1940s, ribbon microphone, which used electromagnetic effect of a ribbon. Later in the
1960s, electret microphone, working on electrostatic principle, came into popular use which
later lead to the development of condenser microphone which is widely in use now. In 1970s
dynamic microphone also were developed which is widely used in many non-studio
applications currently.

Microphone Types
Though most of the earlier microphones are still in use for some applications, only three
microphones relevant for music production is discussed here: Ribbon, Condenser & Dynamic.

Ribbon Microphone
Ribbon microphone work on the principle of electromagnetic induction. A thin conductive
ribbon is suspended in a magnetic field. When the ribbon moves in accordance to the sound
waves in air, current is induced in the ribbon. RCA pioneered the development of ribbon
microphone and it was used in earlier radio broadcast and recordings. Ribbon has a warm
sound compared of other microphones.

For more info: http://www.ribbonmics.com/

Condenser Microphone
Condenser microphone works on the principle of parallel-plate capacitor. When two conductive
plates are kept closely together separated by an insulator (dielectric), and then an electric
charge is applied to these conductors, it tends to store electric charge. But when the distance
between the conductor changes, the charge remains but the voltage difference changes. In case
of a condenser microphone, the vibrating diaphragm is one plate of the capacitor. A bias voltage
is applicate to charge the capacitor (using phantom power and related circuitry).

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Condenser microphones is one of the most popular microphone used in the studio due to its
sensitivity and the faithfulness of reproduction. Neumann U87 and AKG C414 two popular
studio condenser microphones.

For more info:

https://www.neumann.com/
http://www.akg.com/pro/microphones/recording

Dynamic Microphone
Dynamic microphone uses the principle of electromagnetic induction. The diaphragm has got a
coil glued to it with a magnet surrounding it. When the diaphragm moves, the coil moves along
inducing signal voltage in the coil in accordance with the movement of the coil. Due to its
sturdy construction properties, it is preferred for stage use.

Two very popular dynamic microphones are SM57 and SM58 from Shure.

For more info:

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones
http://en-in.sennheiser.com/microphones

Frequency Response
Frequency response is the representation of how the microphone responds to different
frequencies in its operating range. It is represented as a graph which show the frequency
response curve the graph of frequencies (20Hz to 20Hz on log scale) on x axis vs relative
output level (in dB) on y axis.

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Frequency Response of Shure SM58 Dynamic (image: 2015 Shure Incorporated)

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Looking at the curve of SM58 above, we can figure out that there is a low roll-off around
100Hz and two contours around 5KHz and 9KHz which makes it ideal for vocals.

Frequency Response of AEA A440 Ribbon Microphone (image: AEA)

Looking at the curve of A440 above, we can see the hi roll-off which gives a warm character to
the recorded sound.

Frequency Response of Shure Beta 87A Condenser (image: 2010 Shure)

The response curves above show the responses for sound source at 1cm form the microphone
and 60.6cm from the microphone. It can be observed that when you place the source closer
(like holding it closer to your mouth), there is an increase in the low response. This is called
Proximity Effect.

For more info:

http://blog.shure.com/how-to-read-a-microphone-frequency-response-chart/

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Polar Pattern
Polar pattern is the sensitivity of a microphone 360 degrees around the transducer. Each
microphone design has its physical property which will determine which all directions the
microphone will pickup when we point it at a source. The most common types are:
Unidirectional, Omni-directional and Bi-directional.

Unidirectional microphone picks sound mostly from a single direction. When the sensitivity
is charted using a polar diagram, you get patterns like Cardioid, Super-cardioid, Hyper-cardioid
etc., named according to the shape of the polar diagram.

Frequency Response of Shure Beta 87C Cardioid Condenser (image: 2010 Shure)

Frequency Response of Shure Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic (image: 2010 Shure)

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Frequency Response of Shure KSM9 Hypercardioid Condenser (image: 2012 Shure)

Looking at the polar patterns, one observation is that there is change in the polar pattern
depending on the frequency.

Omni-directional microphone picks sound from all around the microphone. When the
sensitivity is charted using a polar diagram, it will almost be a circle.

Frequency Response of Shure Beta 181/O Omni Condenser (image: 2010 Shure)

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Bi-directional, also called figure-of-8, microphone picks sound from its front and back.
When the sensitivity is charted using a polar diagram, it will almost be the figure of 8.

Frequency Response of Shure Beta 181/BI Bi-directional Condenser (image: 2010 Shure)

Multi Pattern microphones, are microphone with selectable polar pattern. AKG C414
(C414 XLII) is one microphone which offers Omni, Wide Cardioid, Cardioid, Hypercardioid
and Figure-of-8 patterns which can be selected.

For more info:

http://blog.shure.com/multi-pattern-microphones-what-where-and-how/

Summary
In this presentation, we looked at how microphones evolved, popular types of microphone,
frequency response curve and polar patterns of the microphones. For here, the next step could
be learning more about the applications of these. Documentation by various manufacturers is
the best place to look at application information.

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