The Basics of Microphones for Business

Is this thing on? That’s the line that is probably said all too often at open mic nights by aspiring comics. The microphone is a device that is very much a part of our digital age -- and is in everything from mobile phones to computer headsets -- but has roots that go back nearly 150 years.

The History of Microphones

While Alexander Graham Bell gets the credit (appropriately or otherwise) for inventing the telephone, few know that Emile Berliner can be credited with inventing the first microphone to be used as a telephone voice transmitter in 1876. The device that we know today is based on technology that was developed over the next 50 years, notably the condenser microphone. A variety of other technologies have been developed, but all use the same essential principle, which is to transform an audio wave and send it electronically for some form of playback.

Thus, microphones are effectively required anywhere that audio (including voice) needs to be recorded, broadcast, transmitted, or amplified. As a result there are many types of mics, and one size certainly doesn't fit all. This explains in part why the sound from a landline telephone doesn't sound as full and clear as a broadcast studio microphone. The former needs to be far more durable than the latter, while the latter typically reproduces far greater audio fidelity. Over the years there have been developments to improve the quality of most microphones, yet a number of factors still remain. For example, while microphones in general have diminished in size, top-end microphones can still be a little bulky in comparison.

How sound is captured by the microphone is also worth considering. This is referred to as polar pattern and indicates the sensitivity to sounds arriving from different angles. Accordingly, a unidirectional microphone is sensitive to sound from only one direction, and these types of microphones are suited to use with audio recorders for one-on-one interviews, for taking notes with a recorder, and other situations where sound is only coming from a single direction toward the microphone.

On the other end of the (metaphorical) spectrum is the omnidirectional microphone, which is sensitive to sound from all directions. The uses for these types of microphones include speakerphones for conference calls, recording of conferences and forums, and recording of nonspecific sounds from a multitude of directions.

There are also microphones that are bi-directional, meaning that they can record sound from front and back, as well as the shotgun microphone, which has the most focused sensitivity. The latter type is used for TV and movie productions, as well as in other situations in which there is an extremely narrow focus on what needs to be picked up. Neither of these have much use in the business world, however.

Microphones for Your Business

For business users, the application of the microphone is what needs to be considered. Here are some examples of the types of microphones that will fit various business uses.

• Web audio conference calls, tech support, and phone sales: A unidirectional microphone mounted on a stereo USB headset provides a reliable platform for conversing with others. The headset frees the hands to allow the user to type at a computer, take notes, or otherwise access information, while the microphone offers reasonable fidelity for phone and VoIP calls. The quality of these microphones can range greatly from simple operator style to actual broadcast quality. These are available in wireless configurations, but interference with other wireless devices can be an issue.
• Podcasts, video blogs, and virtual presentations: Skip the bulky headset and opt for a stationary unidirectional microphone instead. This ensures that you don't breathe heavily into the microphone during a recording session, and it further requires that the speaker remains somewhat stationary in front of the microphone. Unidirectional microphones require greater emphasis on clear speech delivery and presentation, while these types of microphones also tend to offer higher fidelity than the headset models.
• Business travel and portable microphones: How often do you utter "Can you hear me?" into your mobile phone? This is asked almost as much as "Is this thing on?," and the best option to improve the sound quality of a mobile smartphone is to get an external headset. There are Bluetooth versions as well as wired models, and these can make it easier to hear in louder environments, while the microphones are more sensitive than those on the handset -- so everyone in the airport terminal doesn't have to hear your side of the conversation.
• Mics for meetings: Portable uni- or omnidirectional mics are good for when you head out to attend a presentation or meeting. A portable microphone can be used with a digital audio recorder, or even an iPod, and the external microphone will offer clearer fidelity than the built-in mic. Some devices offer a setting for a narrow or wide area, but there are also microphones that can be used as either a unidirectional or omnidirectional microphone depending on the need.