Microphone
A transducer that turns sound pressure into an electrical signal, the start of the recording chain
Related
A microphone converts changes in air pressure into an electrical signal. It is the first link in the recording chain; every later stage of gain, equalisation and mixing rests on what it captures.
Common types are dynamic, condenser and ribbon, grouped by transduction, with models for voice, instruments and measurement. Choose by source, sound pressure level and desired polar pattern, then by the preamp on hand. Moving a microphone often changes the result more than spending more on one.
The usual mistake is assuming a costly microphone records everything well. It reports only what reaches its position, so room, distance and angle matter just as much. Learn to listen to placement before shopping for models.
Sources
- 麦克风类型与录音基础，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.