Technology
How does a microphone work?
A microphone works by turning the pressure waves of sound into an electrical signal. Sound vibrates a thin diaphragm inside the mic, and that motion is converted into a matching electrical current that can be recorded or amplified.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a microphone works.
Step by step
- 1Sound waves strike a thin diaphragm, making it vibrate.
- 2The vibrations are converted into a matching electrical signal.
- 3Dynamic mics use a coil and magnet; condenser mics use changing capacitance.
- 4The electrical signal mirrors the sound's loudness and pitch.
- 5That signal can then be amplified, recorded, or transmitted.
Frequently asked questions
- How does a microphone turn sound into electricity?
- Sound moves a diaphragm; that motion either moves a coil near a magnet or changes a capacitor, generating a matching electrical signal.
- What's the difference between dynamic and condenser mics?
- Dynamic mics use a moving coil and are rugged; condenser mics use a charged plate, are more sensitive, and need power.
- Is a microphone the opposite of a speaker?
- Essentially yes — a mic turns sound into an electrical signal, while a speaker turns an electrical signal back into sound.