What does microphonic mean?
Microphonic describes sound that is very faint, weak, or barely audible, and it can also refer to an undesirable effect in audio equipment. In technical contexts, microphonic usually means that mechanical vibration has produced a signal in a microphone, telephone, amplifier, or similar device. The unwanted signal may result from handling a microphone, vibrating cables, nearby machinery, or another source of movement, and it can be amplified along with the intended sound. Because of this specialized use, microphonic is more common in engineering and broadcasting discussions than in ordinary conversation. The word combines the Greek roots for “small” and “sound,” reflecting its association with very weak or minute acoustic signals. It is related to microphone and other words connected with sound, but it should not be confused with microphone itself, which is the instrument that captures sound.
Of or relating to sound that is extremely faint, weak, or difficult to hear; affected by or producing an unwanted signal caused by mechanical vibration.
"The technician traced the microphonic noise to a loose connector."
Most often used in technical descriptions of audio and communications equipment.
A device that converts sound waves into electrical signals, especially one used in telephony; a microphone.
"The early telephone used a carbon microphonic to transmit the caller's voice."
The noun is now uncommon, largely having been superseded by microphone, but survives in specialized and historical usage.
The plural is rare and is used chiefly for an effect, noise, or disturbance caused by mechanical vibration in audio equipment.
"Rubber isolation reduced the microphone's microphonics."
Even a microphone can become an instrument of unwanted noise: a knock, vibration, or cable movement may create a microphonic signal that the amplifier faithfully amplifies.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does microphonic come from?
Microphonic was formed in the 19th century from the combining form micro-, meaning “small,” and the Greek-derived element -phonic, meaning “sound.” Its development followed the expansion of telephony and electrical audio systems, where weak signals and mechanically induced disturbances needed technical description. Its sound-related relatives include microphone, phonic, and phonetic.
Related word forms
How microphonic is actually used
Microphonic is chiefly a technical term. It is most often used in audio engineering, recording, broadcasting, and telephone systems, where it describes faint sound or sound caused by mechanical vibration.
Easily confused with microphonic
A microphone is a device that captures sound and converts it into an electrical signal, whereas microphonic usually describes faint sound or an unwanted vibration affecting such a device.