An in-depth look at the components of an omnidirectional diaphragm-style microphone capsule.
1. Dust-Proof Mesh
The dust-proof mesh protects the microphone by preventing dust from reaching the diaphragm. It also safeguards the diaphragm from external punctures and provides short-term water resistance.
2. Housing
The housing serves as the structural support for the entire microphone. It encapsulates other components, acts as the grounding point for the microphone, and provides electromagnetic shielding.
3. Diaphragm
The diaphragm is the primary sound-to-electrical conversion component. It is a stretched Teflon plastic film mounted on a metal circular ring. The surface in contact with the metal ring is coated with a thin layer of metal. The diaphragm can hold an electric charge, functioning as one plate of a variable capacitor and is capable of vibration.
4. Spacer
The spacer maintains the distance between the two capacitor plates, providing a gap that allows the diaphragm to vibrate and thus change the capacitance.
5. Backplate
The backplate forms the other electrode of the capacitor and connects to the gate (G) terminal of the FET (Field-Effect Transistor).
6. Copper Ring
The copper ring connects the backplate to the gate (G) of the FET. It also serves as a structural support element.
7. Cavity
The cavity secures the backplate and diaphragm ring, preventing them from short-circuiting with the housing or between the source (S) and gate (G) terminals of the FET.
8. PCB Assembly
The PCB assembly houses components such as the FET and capacitors. It also provides structural support for other parts of the microphone.
9. PIN
Some microphones feature pins on the PCB, allowing connection to other PCBs via soldering. The design may vary slightly between front-electrode and back-electrode styles.
