Condenser Microphone
A sensitive, detailed microphone that varies capacitance with the diaphragm and usually needs phantom power
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A condenser microphone forms a capacitor between a thin diaphragm and a backplate. Sound moves the diaphragm, changes capacitance, and the circuit turns that change into a signal. The light diaphragm usually captures transients and high-frequency detail more finely than a moving coil.
Most condensers need 48-volt phantom power for their internal electronics, and many offer pads, low-cut filters and switchable patterns. High sensitivity makes quiet sources easy to record, yet close loud sources can overload them, and damp conditions may trouble the diaphragm.
The usual mistake is treating condensers as vocal microphones only. They suit acoustic instruments, room sound and choirs just as well. Judge the source, working distance and power requirement rather than the label.
Sources
- 电容换能与供电，参 Huber & Runstein, Modern Recording Techniques 与 Bartlett, Practical Recording Techniques；本文为原创表述
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.