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Do you like recording with your pals? If so, then you may want to familiarize yourself with some facts about the mics you'll be using.

Mics consist of transducers that convert the sound waves of your voice into electric impulses. They're often be called an acoustic-to-electrical sensor because they were invented (and that name coined) by Emile Berliner in 1877. These were initially used as voice transmitters for telephones. Since then, they became more useful when they were utilized for hearing aids, karaoke, studio and home recording, television broadcasting and ultrasonic testing.

Microphones come in a variety of forms and functions. These microphones are classified according to transducer capabilities, diaphragm width, directional characteristics and sound input orientation:

Dynamic Microphone

A characteristic that make dynamic microphones so common for live performances are their ability to soak in huge sound levels without the quality of the sounds being distorted. These mics use the principle of electromagnetic induction which is similar to that of a reversed loudspeaker. Dynamic microphones have movable coils that are attached to a magnet, which is located at the diaphragm. When the mic absorbs the sounds, their diaphragm will vibrate causing fluctuating currents of electricity.

Condenser (carbon) Microphones

Carbon button microphones are just like miniature amplifiers. They have capsules that contain carbon granules in between two plates. When voltage is applied by Phantom Power to the metal plates, a small current will flow through the carbon granules. The changes that occur within the capsule is what produces the electrical signal that you hear. Just like the amplifier, these types of mics can use very small input of energy to produce huge amounts of electrical signals. (Note that Phantom Power must be supplied in order to produce the current for the plates).

Fiber Optic Microphone

Unlike the conventional microphone, the fiber optic microphone uses optical fibers to absorb and produce sounds. Compared to other types of mics, the fiber optic microphone has a very high frequency range. It is also ideal for instances where a regular microphone cannot work because it is highly resistant to any electrical, electrostatic, and radioactive or magnetic fields. Not only that, it also resists environmental changes which means any type of weather cannot make it ineffective. This type of microphone is most often used in the field of medicine where remote control rooms and MRI suites do not allow the patients and the hospital staff to talk normally because of the noisy magnetic fields.

Laser Microphones

Laser mics are often referred to as surveillance gadgets because of their ability to receive sound sound waves even over a long distance. When put to use, these microphones produce laser beams that bounce off walls. The vibrations that come from this process are sensed by the microphones and converted into audio signals.

So thenext time you go on a recording marathon with your friends, think about the fun you wouldn't be having if the microphone hadn't been invented. It is not just a piece of gear that can give so much in the world of records; it is also one that can save many lives every day.