Advantages of Condenser Microphone | disadvantages of Condenser Microphone
This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Condenser Microphone and its working principle. It mentions benefits or advantages of Condenser Microphone and drawbacks or disadvantages of Condenser Microphone or capacitor microphone.
What is Condenser Microphone or Capacitor Microphone ?
Introduction:
It consists of two thin plates one fixed and another flexible which form a capacitor.
Hence it is also known as capacitor microphone. The equal and opposite charge is applied to the plates of diaphragm.
Flexible plate of diaphragm responds to sound pressure applied. Due to this, capacitance between the plates changes. The working principle of condenser microphone can be explained with the help of following equation.

➨ Q = C x V OR V = Q/C
Where,
Q = Electrical charge
C = Capacitance (i.e. ability of capacitor to store charge)
V = Voltage
If the charge on these plates is kept constant while capacitance changes, the voltage across the capacitor also changes accordingly. This voltage fluctuation is amplified before being transported to the speaker.
Benefits or advantages of Condenser Microphone
Following are the benefits or advantages of Condenser Microphone:
➨It is smaller in size.
➨It has flat frequency response.
➨It is light in weight compare to dynamic microphone due to lighter diaphragm assembly.
➨It supports high range of frequencies due to fast moving diaphragm.
➨It offers high sensitivity and it is more suitable to capture sounds of audio instruments and vocals.
Drawbacks or disadvantages of Condenser Microphone
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Condenser Microphone:
➨It requires voltage (i.e. power) to operate.
➨It can handle certain maximum input signal level.
➨It is more complex compare to dynamic microphone.
➨It is more affected due to extreme temperature and humidity conditions compare to dynamic microphone.
➨It is more expensive compare to dynamic microphone.
➨Cheaper condenser microphone generates small magnitude of noise.
Conclusion: From the above advantages of Condenser Microphone and disadvantages of Condenser Microphone, it can be concluded that it is better than dynamic microphone type.
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