whats the difference between a condenser mic and a normal mic, are they the same thing? and what does the condenser part of it mean?
A “normal” or dynamic microphone has a diaphragm that moves with sound pressure waves causing a coil to move over a magnet. Moving a conductor through a magnetic field induces current flow. A condenser mic is essentially a capacitor with one plate that can move causing the capacitance to change with vibrations. Condenser mics usually require battery power to provide voltage across the plates. There are other types like carbon mikes found in old telephones and piezoelectric crystal mics.