Microphone
[mahy-kruh-fohn] /ˈmaɪ krəˌfoʊn/
noun
1.
an instrument capable of transforming sound waves into changes in electric currents or voltage, used in recording or transmitting sound.
/ˈmaɪkrəˌfəʊn/
noun
1.
a device used in sound-reproduction systems for converting sound into electrical energy, usually by means of a ribbon or diaphragm set into motion by the sound waves. The vibrations are converted into the equivalent audio-frequency electric currents Informal name mike See also carbon microphone Compare loudspeaker
n.
1680s, “ear trumpet for the hard-of-hearing,” coined from Greek mikros “small” (see mica) + phone “sound” (see fame (n.)). Modern meaning dates from 1929, from use in radio broadcasting and movie recording. Earlier, “amplifying telephone transmitter” (1878). Of the two spellings of the short form of the word, mike (1927) is older than mic (1961).
hardware, audio
Any electromechanical device designed to convert sound into an electrical signal.
A microphone converts an acoustic waveform consisting of alternating high and low air pressure travelling through the air into a voltage. To do this it uses some kind of pressure or movement sensor. The simplest kind of microphone is actually very similar in construction to a loudspeaker.
The analogue electrical signal can be fed into a computer’s sound card where it is amplified and sampled to convert it into a digital waveform for storage or transmission.
(2002-11-04)
Read Also:
- Microphonic
[mahy-kruh-fon-ik] /ˌmaɪ krəˈfɒn ɪk/ adjective 1. of, relating to, or in the nature of a . 2. Electronics. tending to or capable of exhibiting microphonism. /ˌmaɪkrəˈfɒnɪk/ adjective 1. of or relating to microphones 2. (of valves or other electronic components) unusually sensitive to incident sound or mechanical shock
- Microphonia
microphonia mi·cro·pho·ni·a (mī’krō-fō’nē-ə) or mi·croph·o·ny (mī-krŏf’ə-nē) n. Weakness of voice.
- Microphonism
[mahy-kruh-foh-niz-uh m] /ˈmaɪ krəˌfoʊ nɪz əm/ noun, Electronics. 1. a usually undesirable property of some electronic circuits or components in which mechanical vibrations of a component affect the signal being transmitted through the circuit.
- Microphotograph
[mahy-kruh-foh-tuh-graf, -grahf] /ˌmaɪ krəˈfoʊ təˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf/ noun 1. (def 1). 2. a small requiring optical enlargement to render it visible in detail. 3. a photomicrograph. /ˌmaɪkrəʊˈfəʊtəˌɡrɑːf; -ˌɡræf/ noun 1. a photograph in which the image is greatly reduced and therefore requires optical enlargement for viewing purposes 2. a less common name for microcopy, photomicrograph (sense […]
- Microphotography
[mahy-kruh-foh-tuh-graf, -grahf] /ˌmaɪ krəˈfoʊ təˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf/ noun 1. (def 1). 2. a small requiring optical enlargement to render it visible in detail. 3. a photomicrograph. /ˌmaɪkrəʊˈfəʊtəˌɡrɑːf; -ˌɡræf/ noun 1. a photograph in which the image is greatly reduced and therefore requires optical enlargement for viewing purposes 2. a less common name for microcopy, photomicrograph (sense […]