Hand-held wired microphones are used to amplify sound at presentations, performances and other live events. They need to be plugged into an item of audio equipment.What are hand-held wired microphones used for?Hand-held wired microphones are used to provide clear sound amplification at live and recorded events. They might be used during speeches, vocal performances and instrumental performances. An alternative is a hand held wireless microphone, which functions in the same way but allows the user to move around unimpeded.Types of hand-held wired microphonesHand-held wired microphones are designed for different uses. For instance, certain microphones are best suited for recording vocals, instruments, or ordinary speech. The right microphone can play a decisive role in the audience’s perception of a speech or performance.A common type of microphone is the unidirectional microphone. This type of microphone is primarily sensitive to sounds from a single direction. The cardioid microphone is the most common unidirectional microphone. Its name is derived from its heart-shaped sensitivity pattern (hence, ‘cardioid’). Cardioid microphones are commonly used as vocal or speech microphones, as they are excellent at rejecting sounds coming from other directions.