Module 5 - Electroacoustics

Electroacoustics  ::  Electricity  ::  Filters  ::  Microphones  ::  Recording  ::  High-Fidelity Sound

Microphones

Microphones take sound waves and convert them to electrical signals. Loudspeakers convert electrical signals into sound waves. Between the microphone and loudspeakers is usually an amplifier. We use this type of a set-up when we want to amplify sound waves. In reality there is no way to amplify sound waves, or add energy to them. To do this we must convert the sound waves to electrical signals and them amplify them and convert them back to sound waves again.

In this chapter you will learn the characteristics of various types of microphones and loudspeakers.

To successfully complete this chapter you should...

• Read chapter 20 in your text book (pages 393-417).
• Carefully study the important concepts about microphones and loudspeakers as you read the chapter.
• Be able to describe the different types of microphones and their characteristics.
• Be able to explain how a microphone works.
• Be able to explain how a loudspeaker works.
• Be able to describe the different types of loudspeakers and their uses.
• Be able to explain the parts of a loudspeaker.

Important Concepts

Types of microphones
Crystal
Dynamic
Condenser
Electric-condenser
Velocity
Unidirectional
Microphone impedance
Microphone sensitivity
Loudspeakers
as transducers
Structure of
Air suspension
Baffles and enclosures
Horn loudspeaker
Multi-speaker systems
Other types
Loudspeaker efficiency