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MicrophonesThe basics
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The microphone is your primary
tool in the sound
chain from soundsource to audio storage
medium.
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Factors when capturing a sound
with a microphone:
microphones location in relation to the
sound source
the acoustic environment in which we
choose to record the sound source
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Types of Microphones
There are three main types of
microphones:
1) Dynamic/Moving Coil
2) Ribbon
3) Condenser/Capacitor
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1) Dynamic/Moving Coil
microphones
Example: Shure SM 57
They operate on amagnetic principle :
movement of a copper
coil around a magnet
causes a changing flow of
electrons that represent
the sound wave
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Dynamic/Moving Coil microphones
Advantages:
durable and can withstand a lot of volume beforethey distort (within their own circuitry).
they dont require phantom power to operate.
colours the sound in range between 5-10khz,this adds clarity, presence and understandability
to many vocal and instrument sounds.
doesnt feedback as easily as other mics
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Dynamic/Moving Coil microphones
typical uses:
mostly live situations, but they are also
used a lot in the studio.
close mic applications (1-12 inches)
snare drums, guitar amplifiers, kick drum,vocals and any instrument that can play
loud.
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Dynamic/Moving Coil microphones
disadvantage:
These microphones often miss themany subtle nuances of sounds
because it takes a lot of sound
pressure to move the coil.
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2) Ribbon microphones
Example: Beyer M 160
a metallic ribbon is
suspended between twopoles of a magnet. Sound
waves vibrate the metallic
ribbon which causes a
varying flow of electrons
to the different poles ofthe magnet
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Ribbon microphones
advantages:
These microphones capture a warmer and
smoother sound than dynamic/moving coil
microphones.
Dont feedback much in live situations.
Dont require phantom power to operate.
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Ribbon microphones
typical uses:
Typically used in the studio because they are
fragile
Used in close mic applications (1-12 inches)
Often used for acoustic guitars. Also work wellfor vocals.
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Ribbon microphones
disadvantages:
colours the sound by adding a high
frequency edge
fragile
will only pick up sounds that are veryclose.
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3) Condenser/Capacitor
microphones Example: Audio Technica AT 4033
How do condenser microphoneswork?
A charged electrical current isapplied to a metal-coated piece of
plastic. the coating vibratessympathetically in response to asound wave because it is very thin.
The metal-coated piece of plastic ispositioned close to a piece of metallicalloy.
The changes in the space between
the surfaces create a changingdischarge of electrical current.
It makes an electrical version ofacoustic energy from the soundsource.
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Condenser/Capacitor microphones
advantages:
they respond to fast attacks and transients moreprecisely than other mics and add little tonalcolouration
they can be used to record sounds from agreater distance and capture a broader range offrequencies
big advantage: these mics record a sound whilecapturing natural ambience of a room.
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Condenser/Capacitor microphones
typical uses: recording studios
can be used to record almost any soundexcept veryloud ones (ex. Kick drum)
extremely effective with quiet sounds
the perfect choice for capturing room ambience.
almost always used for vocals , acoustic guitars anddrum ovreheads.
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Condenser/Capacitor microphones
disadvantages:
fairly fragile
feedback too easily in a live environment(although some have low frequency roll off
switches to help alleviate feedback
frequencies)
require phantom power to operate
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Microphone polar patterns:
A polar pattern is the pickup pattern of themicrophone.
There are three main types of patterns:
1) Cardiod
2) Bi-directional
3) Omnidirectional
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Frequency Response
Most microphones respond to frequencies within
and beyond the human range of hearing.
Our ears have the ability to hear frequenciesfrom 20-20 000 hertz .
All microphone manufacturers providespecifications for the frequency range of their
products.
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Frequency response curve
The frequency response cu rveof a
microphone shows how the microphone
responds to different frequencies across the
audible spectrum.
A mic with a flat response adds little colouration
to the sound. Many mics drop off sharply in the
frequencies below 300 hz. Yet boast frequencies
in the area of 4000 hz.
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Pre-amplifiers
Although a microphone can be plugged directly into a mixingboard, better results are often achieved by using a pre-amplifier.
Example: Universal Audio 2-610
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Conclusion
Effective sound miking requires lots of
experimentation.
Most home studios should have at least
one good moving coil and one good
condenser mic.
