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Microphones Loudspeakers Amplifiers Mixing Consoles Signal Processors Software References Contents

Microphones are devices used to convert acoustic energy to electrical energy. There are several things to consider when selecting which microphone to use in any given situation. There are several considerations to make when choosing a microphone. Firstly the design/type itself (i.e. is it built for what you want to do) a very expensive highly sensitive Condenser microphone normally mounted in a shock stand would probably not last very long as a live microphone due to being handled all the time. Polar Pattern should be taken into account as you want to be able to pick up what you want with as little as possible background interference. The frequency response is very important as this tells you at what level the microphone will pick up certain frequencies. Impedance should also be checked as if a microphone is connected to an input with a lower impedance this will result in a loss of signal strength.design/typePolar Pattern Types of Microphone Microphones for Studio Use Microphones for Live Use Microphones for Broadcast Use Microphones Back to Contents

Dynamic Microphones Condenser Microphones Capacitor Microphones (referred to commonly as a condenser microphone) it use capacitance to convert acoustical energy into electrical energy. It has four main components a floating metal plate, a fixed metal plate, a preamplifier and a power supply. Similarly to the dynamic microphone changes in sound pressure are used to move the diaphragm however in this type of microphone the diaphragm is a floating metal plate. Combined with the back plate this forms a capacitor which stores electrical charge. When the floating plate is moved the capacitance is altered this changes the electrical charge of the circuit thus converting acoustic energy to electrical energy. Due to the high impedance of the circuit the pre amplifier is required to send the signal through the cable and for this a power supply is required. Condenser microphones are very sensitive which make them good for recording quiet instruments such as acoustic guitar. Dynamic Microphones convert acoustic energy to electrical energy via mechanical movement. It comprises three main components a diaphragm, a moving coil of wire and a magnet. As sound is directed toward the microphone changes in sound pressure cause the diaphragm to move backwards and forward. As this happens the coil is moved in and out of a magnetic field creating electrical current that is analogous to the sound pressure exerted upon the microphone. Dynamic microphones are generally very sturdy and are used a lot in live sound as they are unlikely to get damaged. Types Of Microphone Ribbon Microphones Ribbon Microphones similar to a dynamic microphone made up of a flexible corrugated aluminium ribbon, which acts as the diaphragm, and a permanent magnet. Again as sound pressure changes the ribbon moves backwards and forwards within the magnetic field inducing a current which again is analogous to the sound pressure. It has very low impedance so a transformer is used to drive the signal through the cable. An advantage of a ribbon microphone over a condenser microphone is they don’t suffer from proximity effect (sometimes referred to as “bass tip up”). Back to Contents Back to Microphones

AKG C 414 XL II Type: Condenser Polar Pattern: Switchable(Omnidirectional, wide cardioid, hyper cardioid, Figure of 8 and 4 intermediate settings) Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz Sensitivity: 20 mV/Pa (-34 dBV) +/- 0.5dB Frequency Response Diagram: Varies between polar patterns information on Manufacturers WebsiteManufacturers Website Studio Microphones Back to Contents Back to Microphones

Shure SM58 Type : Dynamic Polar Pattern: Cardioid Frequency Response: 50 Hz - 15 kHz Sensitivity (1 kHz): -54,5 dBV/Pa / 1,88 mV/Pa Frequency Response Diagram: Audio samples available on manufacturers websitemanufacturers website Live Microphones Back to Contents Back to Microphones

CharterOak S700 Type: Condenser Polar Pattern: Cardioid Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz Sensitivity: 16mV/Pa Frequency Response Diagram: Further information available on Manufacturers WebsiteManufacturers Website Broadcast Microphones Back to Contents Back to Microphones

Loudspeakers operate the opposite way around from a microphone converting electrical energy into acoustic energy. This is achieved by passing the current through a coil of wire that is surrounded by a permanent magnet and attached to the speaker cone. As the current passes through the coil this affects the magnetic field around it causing the coil and therefore the speaker coil to move generating sound. When deciding what speaker to use we need to look at the design of the speaker ( is it suitable for live use and moved around due to a rugged plastic housing or more useful as a studio monitor in a static place as its made of easily damaged wood?). Frequency response should be looked at to ensure the speaker can reproduce everything you need it to. The sensitivity of the speaker at what level will sound become distorted?, Impedance again if this is mismatched to the input signal strength will be lost and dispersion angle will the speaker cover the necessary area sufficiently. Loudspeakers for Live Applications Loudspeakers for Studio Applications Loudspeakers Back to Contents

Function-One F88 Frequency Response:70Hz-18Khz Sensitivity:99dB 1W 1M Dispersion Angle: 110° x 40° This speaker could be used as part of a sound reinforcement system or as part of a sound system in a bar/club. More information can be found on the Manufacturers WebsiteManufacturers Website Tannoy VQNET 60 Live Frequency Response: 90Hz- 27KHz Sensitivity: LF 1M / HF 1M Dispersion Angle: 60° conical. This type of speaker would be more suited to use as part of a live sound system installation but could also transported and used as a portable PA. More information can be found on the Manufacturers WebsiteManufacturers Website Loudspeakers for Live Applications Back to Contents Back to Loudspeakers

Genelec 1035B Frequency Response: 30Hz-20Khz +/- 2.5dB Sensitivity 131dB 1M No dispersion angle detailed as this is a monitor speaker and should only be used within a room and the listeners no more than a few meters away. Full information available on Manufacturers WebsiteManufacturers Website Loudspeakers for Studio Applications Back to Contents Back to Loudspeakers

Amplifiers Back to Contents

Mixing Consoles Back to Contents

Signal Processors Back to Contents

Software Back to Contents

CardioidHyper Cardioid Narrower pickup field and could be used to ignore background noise however a side effect of this is a small area of pickup to the rear. This can also This pattern it generally has a wide pickup area and is commonly found on standard Dynamic and Condenser microphones Polar Pattern Omnidirectional Picks up all sound around the microphone Bidirectional Also known as Figure of 8. Picks up sound in front and behind the microphone Back to Contents Back to Microphones

References Back to Contents