## Condenser Microphone A condenser microphone works by converting sound waves into an electrical signal using a sophisticated mechanism. Sound waves enter the microphone and hit the diaphragm, which is a thin, flexible membrane located at the front of the microphone. This diaphragm is positioned very close to a stationary backplate, forming a capacitor. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, it vibrates, causing changes in the distance between the diaphragm and the backplate. These vibrations change the capacitance (the ability to store charge) between the diaphragm and the backplate, as the capacitance of a capacitor depends on the distance between its plates. This variation in capacitance is then converted into an electrical signal, which can be amplified and processed for recording or broadcasting purposes. Condenser microphones require phantom power, typically supplied by an external source, to operate the internal electronics and maintain the electrical charge between the diaphragm and the backplate. They are super sensitive, capturing even the most subtle sounds, and can be made in various sizes, both large and small, thanks to the absence of an electrically charged backplate, making them versatile for numerous applications. Watch the first part of the video to review how a dynamic microphone works. Then, watch the second half to see how a condenser microphone works in comparison. ![](https://www.youtube.com/watch?embeds_widget_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fswccd.instructure.com%2Fcourses%2F71807%2Fexternal_tools%2Fretrieve%3Fdisplay%3Dborderless%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fswccd.instructuremedia.com%252Flti%252Flaunch%253Fcustom_arc_launch_type%253Dbare_embed%2526custom_arc_media_id%253D356586de-4096-4cfe-aefb-6da9a331868e-62937%2526cu&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fswccd.instructuremedia.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fswccd.instructuremedia.com&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjQsMTY0NTAz&v=Bt7vXL1_Y1Y&feature=youtu.be)