Microphones are sound converters that convert acoustic sound into electrical signals. They are indispensable for recording sound signals such as music, noises, vocals, voice, acoustic instruments, etc. and are the first link in the recording chain. Different transducer principles are used depending on the microphone type. The two most common microphone types are the dynamic microphone, such as our ZDM-1 microphone or ZDM-1 Podcast Mic Pack, and condenser microphones, such as our ZPC-1 Pencil Condenser Stereo Set and LMF-2 lavalier mic. There are also USB microphones such as the ZUM-2 and ZUM-2 USB Podcast Mic Pack. The microphone capsule converts the sound – i.e. the changes in air pressure – into an electrical signal. Condenser microphones require phantom power for operation. This is usually 48V and is supplied by the microphone preamplifier. Professional microphones usually have a three-pin XLR output. The signal is sent to the microphone preamplifier, mixer, recorder or audio interface via a three-core balanced XLR cable.