Microphones Sound-a-licious-ness.

Every Tool Has It’s Place

Types Microphones come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but they all have a specific use. Make sure you have the right tool for the job.

Sound Recording Films and Television programs often record sound on a device independent of the camera. They use a slate to sync sound, and then match up sound in post. High End devices uses crystals.

Microphone Types There are three basic types Dynamic Condenser Electret Condenser

Dynamic Have a moving coil surrounded by a magnet that picks up wavelengths of sound and causes the coil to vibrate. Used a lot by musicians, and recording artists Very rugged and resistant to hand noise Do not require a power source

Condenser Mic Used extensively for motion picture sound recording. Tend to be more sensitive, fragile and expensive. Use a capacitor circuit to generate electricity from sound. The sound moves a plate, and the changes in the plates movement reproduce the sound.

Electret Microphone Most common mic in the world Used for everyday appliances and gadgets (like cellphones, or laptops, headsets) Very cheap to manufacture “Function over form”

Pick Up Patterns Each microphone has specific type of pick-up pattern, which is a configuration of directions in space in which it is sensitive to sound.

Omni Directional Pick up sounds in every direction Great general all around mics Not spectacular in any one area Will pick up the person behind the mic or camera

Cardioid Have a heart-shaped pick-up pattern Tend to be very front heavy, with secondary sounds on the side Least sensitive to space behind the mic

Hyper Cardioid Sometimes referred to as a Shotgun Mic Strong focus on a narrow space in front Good for picking up sound at a distance Very little focus on the sides (no spread) Can be sensitive behind the mic

Cables Most audio uses XLR Cables (balanced) Takes the two signal wires and wraps them in a third wire Protects it from interference Can use several hundred feet at once

How to Wrap