On Sun, 2 Aug 2009 12:23:01 +1000, "Phil Allison"
wrote:
"fredbloggstwo"
I give you the benefit of the doubt. Please explain how a capacitor
microphone works and how one can obtain a cardioid (and others such as
figure of eight) pattern using a single signal - no swearing though - and
it must be one signal.
** You and others appear to misunderstand what the term " signal" means in
analogue audio electronics.
A microphone's "signal" is that audio frequency *voltage* that the
microphone outputs when immersed in a sound field.
The capsule of a typical, single capsule, variable pattern condenser mic (
one that offers omni, figure 8 and cardioid etc ) has only one output signal
terminal - and that is where the *one and only* signal first appears.
The pick up pattern is altered by use of a DC control voltage.
See schem of the AKG C12a:
http://www.sdiy.org/oid/mics/AKG-C12a.gif
Note that one metallised diaphragm connects directly to ground, the other
has the variable DC control voltage applied to it and is bypassed to ground
with a large value cap to prevent any signal appearing on it. The output
signal appears on the metal structure of the capsule, which also has a fixed
DC bias voltage.
For comparison:
There are dynamic mics that have two capsules, one for low and one for high
frequencies and internally combine the two signals produced into one
output - ie by use of a combining x-over filter.
Some marketing type might conceivably call that filter circuit a " matrix "
in the advertising blurb.
..... Phil
Good choice. This is a nice easy schematic to follow. First up, the
capsule produces two signals - one from the top diaphragm, and another
from the lower. The signals can be generated in or out of phase by
virtue of the polarization voltage being centre tapped to the stator.
In the omni position, the high voltage to the top diaphragm is shorted
down to ground, and the diaphragms generate an in-phase signal to a
pressure wave. They produce out of phase to a velocity wave, hence
have an omni, not a figure 8 response.
In the figure eight position the opposite happens. The polarization is
high on the upper diaphragms, and pressure waves cause cancellation at
the centre point, while velocity waves add.
In the intermediate cardioid position, a mixture of the two happens,
and a cardioid response results.
This is a result of in and out of phase addition of TWO signals from
TWO diaphragms. It can't be done with one, and the fact that they get
summed at the grid won't and can't make them one.. The various
matrixing operations are performed on the bias circuit.
So, no more arguments, eh Phil? You got it wrong again, and
unfortunately for you your evidence only illustrates nicely how
thoroughly wrong you got it.
d