Transcript
The Media Department Microphone Quick Guide 2015/16 Created by Robert Perry
Microphones Types of Microphone: The microphone is an acoustic-to-electric sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. Microphones are used in many applications such as voice recorders, karaoke systems, hearing aids, motion picture production, live and recorded audio engineering, telephones radios, megaphones, in radio and television broadcasting. The most common microphones are Dynamic microphones: work via electromagnetic induction. They are robust and do not pick-up so much surrounding noise. These are relatively inexpensive and resistant to moisture. Condenser microphones: require a power source (battery). They produce a high-quality clear audio signal but are sensitive to all noises and sound. They are now the popular choice in studio recording. They span the range from inexpensive karaoke microphones to highfidelity recording microphones.
Microphone Polar Patterns All microphone have different directional characteristics, these are known as polar patterns, see chart below:
Definitions Active: Powered dB: abbreviation for "decibel." Frequency Response: Different microphones respond to different frequencies – The average sound range is 0hz to 16,000hz – Top microphones generally range to 40,000hz Hpf: [High pass filter] removes low frequency noise (See diagram below) Hz or khz: 44,100hz is equal to 44.1khz Mono: is a system where all the audio signals are mixed together in one channel. Passive: Non-powered Phantom Power: Powered by external source. Plosives: the sounds that occur from words using "p" "s" "b" etc. Talking at an angle can help reduce plosives. Pop Filter: or pop screens are used to minimize plosives when recording in a studio. Sample Rate: is the number of samples of audio carried per second, measured in hz: music is usually recorded at 44100hz, film sound is usually 48000hz Slave: Means a passive that is reliant upon an active element. Stereo: means you have two independent audio channels. Wind Shield: Helps in reducing wind, plosives and other sounds. They also protect the microphones from spit or other damage. A condenser microphone can be damaged by spit.
Media/Robert Perry/031/ Microphones
Updated: 09/07/2015
[M] Behringer Dynamic (Mono) Microphone - [Cardioid or Omni-directional pattern]: Use: A passive microphone used for close interview work – frequency range (50hz to 15khz)
[M] Clip-On Microphone - [Omni-directional pattern]: Used for close individual sound pick-up; these are passive microphones. Professional industry use the Lavalier condenser clip-on microphone which are active - Frequency range: (100hz to 8.khz)
[M] Rode M3 Microphone [Cardioid pattern]: Very powerful music industry microphone for crystal clear close sound – frequency range (50hz to 40khz)
[M] SG108 uni-directional Microphone - [Cardioid pattern]: Used for recording short or medium distant sound – frequency range (30hz to 18khz)
Media/Robert Perry/031/ Microphones
Updated: 09/07/2015
[B] Rode Videomic - [Super Cardioid Pattern]: Two settings: Flat and high pass - Used for recording sensitive medium range sound – frequency range (40hz to 20khz)
[Z] HDTZ Condenser Shotgun Microphone - [Shotgun pattern]: Two settings: Flat and high pass - Used for long range sounds – frequency range (100hz to 16,035hz)
Rode NT1-A Studio Microphone - [Cardioid pattern]: Very powerful 48V condenser microphone. This is very sensitive and will pick-up every sound – frequency range (50hz to 40khz)
Media/Robert Perry/031/ Microphones
Updated: 09/07/2015
