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Bidirectional = A microphone that receives well from the front and the rear, but not from the sides. Television talkshow hosts that are seeded at 180° angles from their guests might use a bidirectional microphone.
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Cardioid pattern = Also called unidirectional, because it mostly receives straight ahead sounds. These microphones are ideal in situations where you want to avoid sound leakage from behind the microphone or from the sides.
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Condenser microphone= These have two metallic plates that are charged electrically at a set distance from each other. One of the plates moves as a response to sound pressure. These require an electric source to work. It can be a battery or it can be what is called phantom power. They tend to be much more sensitive than dynamics, and are commonly used for recording vocals. These are the top studio microphones for that purpose.
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Dynamic microphone= These use a flat surface which vibrates in response to the sound waves. Attached to the flat surface, called the diaphragm, is a magnetic coil which generate electrical current patterns from the sound waves. Dynamics have more tolerance for bursts of sound, and are thus better equipped for instruments such as drums. They tend to be sturdy and have good frequency response.
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Frequency response= Frequency refers to the length of the sound waves emitted by any source of noise. The shorter the wave, the higher the frequency, as there are more of them in the same amount of space. The sounds we here contain a range of frequencies. Our ears perceive some better than others. A wide frequency response means that the microphone processes lower and higher frequencies. The human range in hearing has been calculated at from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. That should be a benchmark. A flat frequency response means that the microphone processes all frequencies within its range is relatively equally. Generally, flatter is better. Sometimes, technicians prefer a microphone that gives slight emphasis to the higher frequencies, because it lends a brilliance to the sound.
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Hemispheric = Microphones that receive front and sides, but not rear at all. PZM microphones have hemispheric patterns.
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High impedance = These produce more signal output, but meet more resistance. They have slightly more noise, and do better with shorter cables. When choosing a microphone, make sure it matches the receiving device, or whether it be a recorder, a mixer, or amplifier. Some devices are built for low impedance or high impedance microphones.
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Hyper cardioid pattern = Same as a cardioid pattern, with the addition of some response from the rear.
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Low impedance= This means that the microphone has low resistance to the current being put out. Thus, more current makes the journey. They tend to have a clean your sound, and can travel through longer cables.
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Omnidirectional= These, as the name implies, receive sound from 360°. These can be used when recording a small ensemble that will be seated around the microphone in a circular pattern. They are excellent for recording harmony groups.
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Polar response pattern = The directional sensitivity of the microphone. The various types follow.
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PZM microphone= Also known as a pressure his own microphone. It is a condenser microphone that uses a flat surface to pick up the sound waves and bring them into the microphone plates. These are more commonly used when you want to record all of the sounds in a room.
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Sound pressure level (SPL)= Microphones output less electric current then they measure. That's why the sound pressure level (SPL) is listed as a negative number. The smaller the number, the more current output. That will create a higher signal to noise ratio and in turn a more accurate sound with less background hiss.
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Super cardioid pattern = This type of microphone except sound from the sides as well as in front and directly behind. Viewed from above, its reception field resembles a mushroom, in that it does not receive sound from the rear right or rear left.
