1. 1.What is the potential drawback of only using the on camera microphone? Think about distance and background noise In what way are the results better when using the handheld mic? 3. 3.When positioning the handheld microphone at different angles, how does this affect the overall volume of the recording? 4. 4.How does the volume change when holding this microphone far away ? 5. 5.Using the second (long and skinny) mic, is the volume affected when holding the microphone further away? 6. 6.When changing the angle of this mic, how is the volume affected? 7. 7.What is needed to make this type of microphone operate at all?

Microphones

What is a Microphone? Microphones convert acoustical energy (sound waves) into electrical energy (audio signal). To do this, all microphones have a diaphragm, which mimics the function of the human eardrum

Classification of Microphones Conversion technology: how they convert sound waves into an audio signal Conversion technology: how they convert sound waves into an audio signal Directionality: from what direction(s) the microphone best picks up sound Directionality: from what direction(s) the microphone best picks up sound Frequency Response: What frequencies (low or high pitched sounds) the microphone records best Frequency Response: What frequencies (low or high pitched sounds) the microphone records best

Dynamic Microphones Diaphragm is connected to wire, which is coiled around a magnet As the diaphragm moves, the wire coil moves with it The movement in the magnetic field creates the electrical current (audio signal) in the wire coil

Dynamic Microphones PROS: Versatile Versatile cheap, durable technology cheap, durable technologyCONS: Not as sensitive as other microphones: need fairly loud sounds to move the membrane Not as sensitive as other microphones: need fairly loud sounds to move the membrane Electrovoice 635

Condenser Microphones Two electrically charged plates, one of which acts as the diaphragm Sound waves move the diaphragm plate, which creates an electrical current (audio signal) in the attached wires

Condenser Microphones: Pros & Cons PROS: More sensitive than dynamic mics More sensitive than dynamic micsCONS: Require power (battery or phantom power) to work Require power (battery or phantom power) to work Not suitable for very high volume applications: prone to distortion Not suitable for very high volume applications: prone to distortion Sennheiser ME 66 shotgun microphone

Directionality & Pickup Patterns Omnidirectional Sound picked up equally well from all directions More prone to feedback

Directionality / Pickup Patterns Cardioid ( literally: “heart shaped”) Rejects sound from behind the mic = less feedback prone Rejects sound from behind the mic = less feedback prone Versatile uses Versatile uses Hypercardioid (“shot gun”) Narrow, directional pickup pattern directly in frontNarrow, directional pickup pattern directly in front Picks up sound over longer distancesPicks up sound over longer distances

Directionality / Pickup Patterns Bidirectional Picks up sound from two opposite sides (figure eight) Picks up sound from two opposite sides (figure eight) Limited application possibilities (e.g. two people sitting across from each other) Limited application possibilities (e.g. two people sitting across from each other) Variable Directionality In some mics, pick up pattern can be adjusted.

Frequency Response How well mic responds to sounds of various frequencies (pitch) How well mic responds to sounds of various frequencies (pitch) The F.R. of the mic used should match what is being recorded (e.g. human voice, specific instruments. The F.R. of the mic used should match what is being recorded (e.g. human voice, specific instruments.

Application Questions Use your class notes and online research to answer them 1. 1.You are responsible for setting up microphones for a rock show, specifically the ones by the guitar amps. What type of microphone (construction/conversion technology) would you use, and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that fits that application. Why did you pick this model? 2. 2.You are shooting video at a press conference, a little bit away from the person speaking. What type of microphone (directionality) would you use, and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that fits that application. Why did you pick this model?

You are recording the ambience (general background sound) of the interior of a train station. What type of microphone (directionality) would you use and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that fits that application. Why did you pick this model? You are recording a female singing duo in a recording booth. They will be singing together at the same time. What type of microphone would you use (directionality) and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that fits that application. Why did you pick this model? The singers are female with high pitched voices. what other microphone specification do you need to consider when choosing a mic, and why?