A condenser microphone, also known as a capacitor microphone, is a type of microphone that uses a capacitor to convert sound waves into an electrical signal. It consists of a thin diaphragm made of a conductive material, such as metal-coated plastic or metal foil, suspended close to a metal plate called the backplate. When sound waves strike the diaphragm, it vibrates and creates changes in the distance between the diaphragm and backplate, causing a change in capacitance. This change in capacitance is converted into an electrical signal by a built-in preamplifier and sent to an audio interface or mixer.