Microphones and sound detection

How a microphone is built? Different devices

The current microphone market is essentially dominated by three types of design. The three variants of microphones differ from each other in terms of acoustic parameters, connection method, as well as dimensions and price.

First of all, we can distinguish electret microphones. The construction of the microphone makes the sound processing based on the change of the capacitance of a special capacitor in which one of the facings is a moving diaphragm. Air vibrations cause the diaphragm to vibrate, which translates into changes in capacity in time to the sound wave. The contact (carbon) microphone, commonly used in the last century, has completely given way to modern electret microphones. Currently, such devices are no longer used.

An interesting alternative to devices with a membrane are piezoelectric microphones. These are products that use the piezoelectric phenomenon. Vibrations of the air cause slight deformation of the diaphragm, which in turn generates a small alternating voltage to the rhythm of the sound wave.

Small but smart – MEMS microphones

Another type of microphone that is gaining more and more popularity, especially among users of mobile devices, are MEMS microphones. MEMS systems are miniaturized electro-mechanical elements. In MEMS microphones, both the electronic and mechanical parts are made of a single semiconductor block. This solution provides incredibly small dimensions of the device.

The very good quality of the sound recorded by such microphones is noticeable. What is more, this kind of recording devices are available both as analog output microphones and with a dedicated digital interface. The latter module makes it much easier to connect the microphone to more advanced microcontrollers. Due to such parameters, MEMS microphones are commonly used as additional sound recording modules compatible with programmable electronics (Arduino, Raspberry Pi etc.).

Microphones, sound detectors and more

If you do not want to record the full range of sound, but only detect its presence and intensity level (you can do it for example with an Arduino), it is worth getting one of the sound detection modules. If sound quality matters, then a USB microphone should be used as a microphone for recording music, speech or ambient sounds. Motorists can use one of the electret microphones available from us as a car microphone. There are many possibilities.

You can conveniently purchase all of the sound modules, microphones and related devices presented above. Check out the other categories of the Botland store to choose other electronic modules, programmable electronics, motherboards and layers, as well as other computer components and input / output devices for devices. We invite you to place orders - you will surely be satisfied with Botland.