Media ArtsASM 30

Shot Gun – used for broadcasting Condensor – very versatile, often used as

a room mic and acoustic instrument mic Dynamic – captures sound directly in

front and captures sympathetic sound from the sides. In the live sound application, it is used to capture sound from amplifiers

We commonly use the word interface when referring to a device that acts as a connecting piece between a microphone and computer

However, an audio mixer can also be classified as an interface. In this case, the mixer is the connecting piece between microphones and speakers

Passive Powered

Have built in amplifiers. Devices that boost or raise the captured

sound Powered Mixers are paired with ‘passive

speakers’ If you were to pair powered mixers and

powered speakers, you would risk over loading the receiving amplifier (potentially cook the receiving device)

Have no built in amplifier Can either be paired with a set of

powered speakers, or can be used with a power amplifier, and passive speakers.

Using a passive mixer with passive speakers and NO amplifier will result in very minimal (if any) sound coming from the speakers.

Powered speakers will have a power switch on the back of them. You will also need to plug these speakers in. Powered speakers will have a volume control on each speaker (therefore you need to have each speaker set to the same volume)

Only have speaker inputs on the back There is no amplifier built in, so the

power has to come from another source

Plug into a recording interface, and amplify the sound from the computer. Interfaces need powered speakers.

Why would a studio like this have both passive and powered speakers?

Cables are the connecting piece between all studio equipment.

If properly used and stored, cables should last for years without any issue.

Some live sound applications will use wireless systems. Although this can ‘look’ good, this technology is very volatile because many of our emerging technologies are wireless and have the potential of interfering. Such technologies include wireless modems, cell phones, CB radios, etc.

Are used to connect speakers to mixers. They are unique because they are capable of carrying a powered signal Some people may choose to connect speakers

to mixers using ¼ inch cables. This “can” be completely fine if the ¼ inch cables are capable of carrying a powered signal. NOT ALL ¼ inch cables can. You then risk, frying the cable.

These cables differ from regular electric guitar cables in that they are much thicker, and capable of carrying a powered signal.

They also have a thicker shielding around the cable to help insulate the signal.

These cables typically are smaller in diameter than ¼ inch speaker cables.

You CAN use ¼ inch speaker cables to connect a guitar to an amplifier, but you can not use ¼ inch guitar cables to connect powered amplifiers to speakers.

Literally means a balanced left and right signal

They commonly have 3 pins on each end, though they can have up to 7.

The 3rd pin serves to provide a grounding to the signal

Mono Sound Stereo sound Surround Sound

Most commonly used in High Fidelity setting. Eg. Listening to a CD or Record

Used most commonly for Movies Can be in 5.1 – 9.1 sound setup Movie Theatres are equipped with state

of the art surround setups. THX Certification is a classification of surround

sound that is used in surround sound. Some products may be THX certified, but in

order for a room to be Certified (like a movie theatre, technicians must be there to install all the equipment).

Movie Theatres begin movies with the THX certification sound test.

Typically connect devices like DVD or cd players to another device