ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCER

any type of device that either converts an electrical signal into sound waves (as in a loudspeaker) or converts a sound wave into an electrical signal (as in the microphone). Many of the transducers used in everyday life operate in both directions, such as the speakerphone on certain intercoms. Richard E. Berg Additional reading Harry F. Olson, Acoustical Engineering (1957), and Modern Sound Reproduction (1972), are the advanced classics in the field, including detailed discussions of loudspeaker design. An excellent introduction to audio equipment is provided in Institute of High Fidelity, Official Guide to High Fidelity, 2nd ed. (1978). A later introduction to audio reproduction is offered in Kenneth W. Johnson, Willard C. Walker, and John D. Cutnell, The Science of Hi-Fidelity, 2nd ed. (1981). Advanced treatment of electromechanical transducers is found in Josef Merhaut, Theory of Electroacoustics, trans. from Czech (1981); John Borwick, Microphones: Technology and Technique (1990); and Martin Colloms, High Performance Loudspeakers, 4th ed. (1991). John Eargle, Sound Recording, 2nd ed. (1980), is of interest for its treatment of older audio reproduction technology, including LP disc recordings and quadraphonic sound. Eargle's later work, Handbook of Recording Engineering, 2nd ed. (1992), also covers digital sound recording. Both audio and video magnetic tape technology is discussed in John C. Mallinson, The Foundations of Magnetic Recording (1987); and C. Denis Mee and Eric D. Daniel, Magnetic Recording, 3 vol. (198788). For digital techniques, see Ken C. Pohlmann, Principles of Digital Audio, 2nd ed. (1989), on the compact disc; and John Watkinson, RDAT (1991), on the rotary head digital audiotape. Richard E. Berg