Which device is commonly used to capture sound in a television production?

In television production, the microphone is the primary device used for capturing sound. Microphones convert sound waves into electrical signals, which can then be processed, recorded, or amplified to ensure that dialogue, sound effects, and ambient noises are accurately conveyed in the broadcast.

While headphones are important for monitoring audio, they do not capture sound; instead, they allow the operator or sound engineer to listen to the audio being recorded. A speaker system is used to output sound rather than capture it, providing playback for the crew or the audience. An audio mixer, on the other hand, is responsible for controlling the levels, balance, and effects of multiple audio signals, but it does not capture sound itself. Therefore, the microphone is the essential tool for sound capture in a television production.