PIEZOELECTRIC AND OTHER TYPES OF MICROPHONES
Microphones can be classified in terms of how they create
an electrical signal:
- Electromagnetic: Ribbons (thin metal ribbon suspended between
magnets), dynamic (moving coil)
- Electrostatic: condensers, electrets, etc.
- Piezoelectric: based on variations of electric resistance
of their sensor induced by changes in sound pressure. Carbon
button microphones (old AT&T handsets) and desktop "far-field"
microphones are popular examples of these. Lower sensitivity,
more distortion, and non-flat frequency responses are
characteristics of these microphones.