Anyone looking for a microphone designed to be simple, multipurpose, and rugged at the same time is definitely looking for a dynamic microphone, and being designed to be very effective is the reason why dynamic microphones are always on the list on podcasters, voice over artists, and singers. One question you will always struggle with when learning about dynamic microphones is how does a dynamic microphone work?
We urge you to continue reading this interesting post if you are searching for answers to that question, and what leaves users intrigued about dynamic microphones is the fact that they deliver excellent results when used with electric guitars, acoustic guitars, and drums. However, you should have it in mind that voice over settings will decide how you make proper use of this microphone, proving to you how reliable this microphone can be.
Designed to be reliable and and putting in amazing sound performances sounds exactly like what the dynamic microphone is designed to, but there are so many attributes and features of a dynamic microphone that you need to carefully consider before you make a move. These features and attributes come in handy when it comes down to selecting between a dynamic microphone and other microphone types.
The term dynamic can mean a lot of things, but it isn’t quite clear when you are looking at it from the sound and music point of view. In this case, dynamic doesn’t really imply producing a dynamic type of performance, but electromagnetism that takes place right inside of a dynamic microphone is what the dynamic term is trying to define. It is a known fact that the movement of an electrical conductor generates electric current in a magnetic field.
Judging from the statement we just said, it is okay to say that dynamic microphones are equipped to convert sound signals into electrical signals. Electromagnetism is responsible for this conversion, and you should also be aware of the fact that a dynamic microphone is of two types. We are talking about the ribbon microphone and the moving coil microphone, so let us take a look at what these two microphones mean.
Moving Coil Microphones
This is an easy to understand microphone as it is designed to function just like a loudspeaker, and it features a coil on the inside that attaches itself to the microphone’s membrane. There is a strong magnet surrounding this coil, and the membrane will move to the direction where a sound gets produced. As the membrane moves, the same coil will also move in the direction of the membrane. As a result of this movement, small amount of signal voltage is produced.
This is why we believe that the moving coil microphone is tasked with converting sound signals into electrical signals. There are people who only make use of the moving coil microphone for stage purposes alone, and this comes down to the fact that moving coil microphones do not need an external power source to function. Their durable build is another reason why they are perfect for stage and outdoor use.
How Does A Dynamic Microphone Work
Ribbon Microphones
These microphones have been closely studied over the years, and people came to the conclusion that the ribbon microphones function using electromagnetic induction. The absence of a coil and membrane is what makes the ribbon microphone different from the moving coil microphone, but ribbon microphones comes with an aluminum foil. This tells you the membrane lies inside of the electrical conductor that moves inside the magnetic gap.
By nature, ribbon microphones are non-directional, making them very sensitive to sounds. It doesn’t matter whether the sound is produced behind or in front of this microphone, but sounds produced by the sides do not set the ribbon microphones in motion. It features a 8-figure pickup pattern, and being very fragile is another reason why you should treat this microphone with so much care.
One of the significant drawbacks the ribbon microphone has is treble responses, and this explains why ribbon microphones are used only for special occasions. An occasion where a top end microphone isn’t needed is what we are talking about, but there is a recent development about the ribbon microphones that has helped in drawing so much attention to it lately.
It now boasts of having an amplifier circuit that guarantees the production of high output results, and ribbon microphones requires phantom power to function just like the condenser microphones.
More Facts On Dynamic Microphones
People refer to dynamic microphones as transducers because of their ability to convert a type of energy to another, and there are seven known parts of a moving coil microphone. Take a look at these parts below;
- Diaphragm
- Capsule
- Magnetic core
- Output
- Grille
- Coil
- Body
What we would want our readers to know is that every product comes with its benefits and its flaws. For this reason, we have decided to bring you the advantages and disadvantages of the dynamic microphone.
Dynamic Microphone Advantages
- Production of warm sounds when used for voice overs
- They are built to be resistant to water
- They are perfect at dealing with plosives
- They have a simple design
- Very affordable
- They do not need a power source before they can function, and this is the reason why they are suited for use in any application
- Their rugged build helps them withstand all forms of abuse
- They can tolerate loud volumes
Dynamic Microphones Disadvantages
- They are not ideal for making a delicate recording
- Production of less detailed sounds
- They fail in handling recording harmonics
- You have to go close to its diaphragm if you want to receive clearer signals
Final Thoughts – How Does A Dynamic Microphone Work
Sadly, this is where we have to draw the curtain on this interesting post. We hope that we have answered your question regarding how a microphone works. Every piece of information provided in this post will point you in the right direction when it comes down to choosing between the dynamic microphone and other microphones available on the market, and there’s a detailed pros and cons list that will help you learn more about this microphone type.
