Photo By: By Paul Hudson, on Flickr

5 Microphone Myths

By: Dan D.

The microphone nowadays is a very common tool used for a variety of things such as telephones, radio, television, music and the list goes on. Over time assumptions about our favorite little gadget developed, and many believe them to be right. Let us clear the air about the microphone myths you may have thought to be true.

1. Ceiling microphones pick up too many unnecessary sounds

This myth might have been true at one point when ceiling microphones could not differentiate the sounds between people talking and other noise, or which person is talking and should be prioritized at any given time. However, this doesn’t hold true anymore since the creation of “beamforming” microphones which uses the interference effects of sound waves to adaptively change the pick-up pattern of a microphone array. It’s a more expensive option, but the perks of rejecting unwanted noise and reflections go a long way.

2. Ribbon microphones can’t be used at live performances

This stems from the belief that ribbon microphones can’t handle high-frequency waves. With advancements in technology, this does not hold true anymore. By altering a ribbon microphone’s durability, mass, conductivity, and material, it can withstand higher levels of frequency waves. Ribbon microphones can then be used in live performances where the sound pressure is intense. Ironically now, many ribbon microphones are produced for the purpose of vocal and instrumental performances.

3. The way to test a microphone is to tap it

You may see this from time to time at the comedy club or the karaoke room. People tend to tap the microphone head with the palm of their hands or their fingers. This is an incorrect way to test if a microphone is working, in fact, you may be damaging the microphone by doing this. The pressure levels produced by tapping a microphone can cause harm to the delicate diaphragm within it. The better way to test a microphone would simply be to speak into it, yes it’s that easy.

4. The louder a microphone is, the better it is

Just as bigger does not always mean better, a louder microphone doesn’t always translate into a better microphone. A louder microphone would mean that it’s more sensitive than others, but sensitivity doesn’t constitute as being better or even having better sound quality. The key takeaway here is microphone placement. If placed closer to the audio source, a microphone’s sensitivity would then be irrelevant because there would already be decent enough signal.

5. Wireless microphone frequencies have zero interference

A popular belief created by professionals from the audio industry. In truth, there is not a frequency that has zero interference. Any wireless device will function within the frequency spectrum, the trick here is to tune your device appropriately to avoid as much interference as possible. If there even were a separate frequency available for wireless microphones, you would still have to deal with interference from other possible wireless microphones using that same frequency as well.

What do you think about these five myths? Are there any missing? Sound off in the comments below!