microphone
<hardware, audio> Any electromechanical device designed to convert sound
into an electrical signal.
A microphone converts an acoustic waveform consisting of alternating high and
low air pressure travelling through the air into a voltage. To do this it uses
some kind of pressure or movement sensor. The simplest kind of microphone is
actually very similar in construction to a loudspeaker.
The analogue electrical signal can be fed into a computer's sound card where it
is amplified and sampled to convert it into a digital waveform for storage or
transmission.
(2002-11-04)
Nearby terms:
Micronetics Standard MUMPS « Micro$oft « microperation «
microphone » microPLANNER » microprocesor »
microprocessor
