A device converting sound into an electrical signal. In music production, microphones are used in order to record a source of sound, for example, an acoustic guitar, guitar amplifier, or a singing vocalist.

There are many types of microphones; the most common division is made into:

• dynamic microphones

• capacitor (or condenser) microphones

• ribbon microphones

Microphones are also differentiated in terms of how they pick up the audio signal. Thus, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and unidirectional microphones are distinguished.