What is a condenser mic?

What is a condenser mic?

These are the fragile, expensive mics found in recording studios. Condenser mics are named after the way in which they are able to record sound. They are constructed by placing a thin diaghram, typically sputtered in gold, a slight distance away from the backplate. Then, two leads are attached, and a charge of up to +48V applied. This turns the mic element into a capacitor, which in England is called a condenser. Then, as the diaghram moves, the distance between the diagphram and the backplate changes, and this creates a changing output. It is this changing signal that is fed to a microphone preamp.

As mentioned before, these mics are usually found in recording studios and in more professional audio situations. They tend to come with higher price tags, require a +48 Voltage applied to it, and are more fragile and require great care.

For additional reading, please click on the following articles:
What is a condenser mic?
What is a dynamic mic?
Microphones