Microphones

How they work! Microphones transduce sound waves into electric energy – the audio signal

Sound Pickup - directionality Omnidirectional Unidirectional

Omnidirectional Hears well in ALL directions

Unidirectional Hears well from ONE direction

Unidirectional Cardioid – in front of and to the sides

Unidirectional Hypercardioid – in front of and long distance; shotgun mic

How are Mics Made? 3 types Dynamic Condenser Ribbon

Dynamic Small coil in a magnetic field. Movement of coil produces sound signal.

Dynamic Facts Most rugged Handles loud sounds Built in pop filter Can withstand all weather Can withstand occasional rough handling

Condenser Moveable plate (diaphragm) oscillates against a fixed plate

Condenser Facts Sensitive to physical shock Sensitive to temperature Generally used indoors Prominent in music recording Needs a power supply Some have battery in housing Some draw phantom power

Ribbon A tiny ribbon in a magnetic field

Ribbon Facts Highly sensitive Used in audio-recording studios Normally used to record string instruments Too sensitive for video work

How Mics Are Used Proper positioning of mic to relative sound source is more important than what kind of mic it is. So mics are often identified by how they are used.

Mics Lavalier Handheld Boom Desk/Stand Headset Wireless(radio)

Lavalier Facts Very small Rugged Omnidirectional Primarily used for voice Clipped to clothes Good quality

Handheld Facts Used when talent needs to control sound Handled by talent

Boom Facts Used to keep mic out of picture Suspended from fishpole or big boom Usually super- or hyper-cardioid shotgun mic

Desk/Stand Facts Handhelds mounted on stands Used for performers in a fixed position

Headset Facts Used by sportscaster or talent announcing live events Combines headset with mic and earphones that carry split audio Program sound in one ear Production instruction in other ear

Wireless (radio) Facts Broadcast signal from transmitter to receiver Most popular handheld for singers

Lavalier Advantages Talent is hands-free Distance from mic to source doesn’t change No special lighting concerns Talent has freer movement

Lavalier Disadvantages Can’t move mic closer to mouth in noisy situations Need separate mic for each sound source May pickup clothing rubbing sounds Sound perspective can be messed up

Handheld Advantages A talent can move mic closer to mouth Talent can point it at person speaking Need only a single mic for multiple sources Singer can control intimacy of sound

Handheld Disadvantages Inexperienced talent may block faces Talent may aim mic incorrectly Talent’s hands aren’t free

Boom Advantages Mic can be aimed at main sound Picks up sound from a distance

Boom Disadvantages Can have noisy handling if not attached properly Long fishpoles are heavy & difficult to handle Must have a long enough mic cable Boom may cast unwanted shadows Studio boom is large and take up space Operating a boom is as difficult as operating the camera

Desk/Stand Advantages One mic can pickup multiple sources Quality of mics on stand can vary depending on use of mic

Desk/Stand Disadvantages People are less careful Use omnidirectional and dynamic User may pull mic to them after careful placement

Headset Advantages Hands free Can hear director instructions Can hear program audio

Headset Disadvantages Useful in only a few applications Sports Live events

Wireless(radio) Advantages Performer unrestricted by cable Wireless lav can be used to pickup nat sound (ex. Bicyclist)

Wireless (radio) Disadvantages Signal pickup depends on talent’s relationship to receiver Can pickup interference from other wireless devices