Powering microphones 

Powering microphones
http://www.hut.fi/Misc/Electronics/circuits/microphone_powering.html

Many types of microphones require power to operate, as a general rule these types are described as condenser microphones. The power is used for internal pre-amplifiers and polarizing microphone capsules. If internal batteries are to be avoided then the only solution is to supply the power via the microphone signal cable.