A microphone array is a microphone made up of multiple small microphones. These small microphones are used in combination to create a large microphone. A large microphone can pick up sound better than a typical microphone. For example, a microphone array can pick up a sound source that is farther away or lower than the traditional microphone.
There are many different types of array configurations, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The most common microphone array is the linear microphone array, which consists of two or more equally spaced microphones that form a straight line or row.
How does a microphone array work?
A microphone array is a set of independent microphones placed in the same area and combined to create more accurate and detailed sound. Microphone arrays can track a sound and then find the direction it is coming from.
It is common to place two or more microphones together to create a microphone array. The two microphones may be placed next to each other, or one may be placed above the other.
Sometimes several microphones are used in an array. These microphones can be placed in different positions around a room to produce a detailed directional sound. The microphones in a microphone array may be put in front of a single speaker to pick up sounds from all directions. A speaker may have several different microphones to pick up various sounds in a room.
Types of microphone Arrays
There are two types of microphone arrays – pressure and delay. In pressure arrays, the microphones are pointed directly at each other, while in delay arrays, the microphones are spread out around the source.
The delay method is proper when the source is traveling at the speed of sound or higher (subsonic), while the pressure method is proper when the source is traveling faster than the speed of sound (supersonic).
Advantages of using a microphone array
There are many reasons why you should consider using a microphone array.
Microphone arrays are omnidirectional, meaning they can pick up sound from all sides of the array versus a single microphone that receives sound from one angle. Using multiple microphones in an array can effectively reduce ambient noise.
Additionally, using multiple microphones can also help pick up on a sound source that may come from far away and may be hard to notice with a single microphone. Using an array can effectively eliminate background noise and focus on the target source.
Disadvantages of using a microphone array
Microphone arrays are used in a wider variety of applications than one may think. However, they do come with their own set of disadvantages. For example, they are pretty bulky and can be quite expensive to produce.
However, they make it easier to pick out the correct voice among multiple people speaking, and they are much more consistent than a single microphone. Because of this, they are also more favorable in a business setting.
Conclusion:
A microphone array is a unique microphone made up of multiple microphones used in tandem. These types of microphones are popular because they can capture sound in a 360-degree radius, and they also provide a much higher quality recording than a single microphone.
FAQs
What is a Microphone Array in a laptop?
The microphone array in the laptop refers to the microphone placed on both left and right sides of the laptop. It is used to record both the voice of the person sitting in front of the laptop and the voice of the person near the screen but off to the sides.
It means that the movies, videos, and songs recorded on the laptop are better in sound quality than the ones recorded from the single microphone usually present on the top of a laptop.
What is a communications microphone array?
Communications microphone array refers to a microphone array in which the microphones are placed in a fixed location so that a variety of their pickup areas is arranged in a certain way. Usually, these pickup areas are in a linear array, but one can create an angular array by using multiple linear arrays.
What is a Beamforming Microphone Array?
A beamforming microphone array is a microphone configuration used to cancel out the interference and ambient noise and hear only what we need to hear. It is a group of microphones arranged uniquely, such that they can listen to the direction of the sound they need. It can be used in surveillance, crowd analysis, sound reinforcement, and audio recording.
