Selectable diaphragm condenser microphone

Condenser microphone having a capsule with a cardioid pattern diaphragm on opposite sides of a back plate wherein each diaphragm is selectively activated via a switch to complete the audio circuit. The microphone employs two different diaphragm materials to produce two different sound reproduction characteristics.

A first diaphragm produces a "warm and lush" sound output, while the second diaphragm produces a "bright and airy" sound output. The microphone includes the use of a pair of light emitting diodes located behind the grill indicating which capsule diaphragm is activated. The dual diaphragm arrangement is mounted on a standard microphone body and includes conventional electronics for connection to an associated piece of audio equipment producing phantom power.

Condenser microphone providing different sound reproduction characteristics, comprising:a body;a capsule assembly extending from said body including a back plate with a first side and a second opposite side with a cardioid pattern diaphragm on each side thereof, wherein the diaphragm on the first side is made from a material having different reflective properties than the diaphragm on the second side; anda switch mounted to the body to selectively activate one of said diaphragms independent of the other to produce a microphone with two different sound reproduction characteristics.

It is often desired that an audio system produce a wide variety of sounds depending upon the particular material being played, the location of the sound system and/or the mood desired by the listeners. Most often, these types of changes in audio output are generated and regulated by adjustments to the amplifier audio settings of the base and treble circuits, in addition to adjusting the volume control.

In the recording process, the diaphragms of the microphones generate the original sound. Diaphragms of different materials, conductive coatings, thicknesses or stiffnesses have a marked effect on the character of the sound that is ultimately heard by the listener. Recording engineers select a particular microphone to enhance, or make more pleasing to the listener the voice or instrument being recorded.

In a condenser microphone, the capsule includes a diaphragm spaced from a back plate. The diaphragm acts as one plate of a capacitor and the diaphragm vibrates when struck by sound waves, changing the distance between the two plates and therefore changing the capacitance. Specifically, when the plates are closer together, capacitance increases and a charge current occurs. When the plates are further apart, capacitance decreases and a discharge current occurs. A voltage is required across the capacitor for this to work. This voltage is supplied either by a battery in the microphone or by external phantom power source from the equipment to which the microphone is connected.

Every microphone has a property known as directionality. This describes the microphone's