Top Address Microphone and Side Address Microphone, What is the Difference ?
Top Address Microphone – So far, perhaps we have not been aware when using a microphone for various purposes, not paying attention to where and how the microphone is positioned. It turns out, in general, there are two types of microphones that we often use, namely top microphones or top address microphones and side microphones or side-address microphones. Both have different characteristics and you must know the differences in the functions of the two. Come on, check out the following article!
What is a Top Address Microphone?
This type of microphone is very easy to recognize because it is commonly used at various events, especially outdoor events. A top address microphone is a microphone whose axis points upwards, where there is a capsule at the top and the tip of the body is very sensitive when aimed in a certain direction. Usually, these microphones are longer and have a clip that helps to position the microphone in the desired direction. Top-address microphones are also often referred to as end-address, end-fire, or top-fire.
What is a Side Address Microphone?
If the top address microphone has its axis pointing upwards, then the side-address microphone is a microphone whose main axis points to the side. This microphone is widely used to record stationary audio, for example, vocals, speech, guitar amps, drums, guitar amp cabinets, and other sound sources.
This type of microphone usually uses a cardioid polar pattern, the aim is to be able to get only the sound you want to record and reject sounds from around it or from behind it. This top address microphone is also not suitable for use outdoors, but you can really use it for streaming or recording directly indoors. The sound is guaranteed to be great.
Several Top Brands and Side Address Microphones
There are at least three types of top address microphones that are often used in daily activities, including pencil microphones, shotgun microphones, and handheld microphones. First, pencil microphone. This type of microphone has a long and thin design with a diaphragm at the top and an output at the bottom. Second, the shotgun microphone is basically a variation of the pencil microphone with a longer interference tube. Third, a handheld microphone is the most common type of handheld microphone because it is most often used at various events.
Meanwhile, side-address microphones have more types, including large-diaphragm condenser capsules, flat microphone designs, multi-pattern microphones, bidirectional polar patterns, ribbon microphones, and stereo microphones.
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Conclusion
Both top-address and side-address microphones have their respective functions and advantages. Before buying, of course, you have to first pay attention to the differences between the two so that you don’t buy the wrong one and can use it according to its function. Actually, there is no standard rule on whether a microphone is a top or side address because there are several exceptions to certain types of microphones and their functions.
Side address microphones tend to have a diaphragm that is exposed to sound pressure from the sides, resulting in a bidirectional or variable polar pattern. On the other hand, top address microphones tend to have a diaphragm that is exposed to sound pressure from the top or front of the microphone. So, first, determine what your needs are, and buy according to its function.
