Microphone Glossary

Bass Cut or Bass Roll-off: On a mic, typically a physical switch that filters out a set of low frequencies.

Balanced Mic Cable: A two-wire cable that also has a conductive screen or shield. One signal is 180-degrees out-of-phase with the other, which helps reduce unwanted noise.

Cardioid: A loosely heart-shaped polar pattern with minimal pick up from behind.

Condenser: Sensitive and often expensive type of mic in which air pressure influences a capacitor (component that stores an electrical charge).

Capacitor: In microphone speak, the same type as above (this term more commonly used in UK).

Dynamic: A type of mic with a moving coil. Generally less expensive and more robust than condenser/capacitor types, and don't need additional power to function. Useful for live applications.

Diaphragm: The part of a mic that moves and produces the signal. It usually has the shape of a cone or dome.

F.E.T.: A field-effect transistor (F.E.T) is a type of transistor commonly used for weak-signal amplification (for example, amplifying microphone signals).

Frequency Response: The range of frequencies that can be picked up. How high? How low? Human beings (well, young ones) are capable of hearing between 20Hz to 20kHz. Frequencies at or even above and below this may be relevant (sub bass, high harmonics).

Gain: How much amplification (measured in DB or decibels) is being fed into a system or piece of equipment.

Impedance: Impedance is a measure of how hard a signal has to work to get thru a cable, speaker or piece of equipment. Always rated in Ohms, the higher the impedance, the harder for the signal to get thru.

Noise level: Generally applied to unwanted (background) noise.

Omnidirectional: A polar pattern whereby the mic will pick up sound from more or less all around.

Sensitivity: As it sounds, the range at which a mic picks up sound. You may want different sensitivities for different applications (live, soundproofed studio, studio/room).

Shock mount: A suspended nest or basket (typically an arrangement of springs) that prevent a mic from being in direct, fixed contact with a mic stand in order to prevent the mic from picking up vibrations from the floor.

Solid state: Equipment based on transistors or semi-conductors (as opposed to valves, bits of string and paperclips).

SPL: Sound Pressure Level

Polar pattern: Directionally, where a signal is going to be picked up when using a mic.

Preamp: A small amplifier that is used to raise the gain on a signal before the main amplifier in a system. Some Mic Pre's are very sought after because of the sound qualities they lend to mics.

Proximity effect: Whereby ultra close ‘proximity' to the mic boosts the microphone's low frequencies. Think ‘radio voice' of a typical DJ, or the sound of film trailer voice-over.

Phantom power: Power for a mic that comes directly from the console through balanced mic cables or from a battery.

Popping: A word used to describe that (generally undesirable) explosion of sound associated with singing or speaking words beginning in the letters ‘P' or ‘D.'

Pop shield: A mesh screen attached in front of a mic in order to reduce or eliminate popping.

XLR: A type of connector used for balanced lines and microphones.