Microphone Terminology
Basket
The woven or perforated metal housing that protects the diaphragm and
other sensitive parts of the microphone while allowing sound (such as
your voice) to enter.
Diaphragm
The portion of a microphone that is mechanically moved by sound
vibrations, thereby allowing conversion of sound energy to electrical
energy.
Dynamic Microphone
A type of microphone consisting of a diaphragm mechanically attached to
a coil operating in a magnetic field. Sound pressure variations cause
movement of the coil within the magnetic field, producing a small
voltage across the coil terminals.
Capsule
The portion of a microphone that converts acoustic energy to electrical energy. Also called an element.
Case
Usually made of metal, and often coated with a non-slip material, the
case protects the internal circuitry of a microphone and acts as (you
guessed it) a handle.
Electret Condenser Microphone
A type of condenser microphone whose transducer contains an electret
material that permanently retains an electrical charge, and does not
require the external voltage source required by other types of
condenser transducers to polarize the diaphragm.
Feedback
In acoustics, the undesirable leakage of audio from loudspeakers back
into a microphone, resulting in a loud squeal or howling sound, or in
less severe cases, a hollow ringing sound quality or whistles.
Output
The jack on the end of the microphone for connecting to a cable that leads to a mixer or amplifier.
Proximity Effect
The closer a sound source is to a microphone, the more bass in the signal you will hear.
An excellent, extensive glossary of microphone terminology is available at Audio-Technica's Web site at www.audio-technica.com.