1. Audio Production
Audio engineer: selects the proper microphones and places them on the set. They also set each level on the audio mixer and then operate the audio mixer during the actual production. They must balance all audio levels including pre-recorded sounds (audio special effects, I pods, CD’s ) with the voice levels during the recording. They must also “strike the set” at the end and wrap up all cables, put mics away, take out batteries. Etc.

2. Audio Terms:
VU meter: an audio meter which measures the intensity of sound in volume units. Could be a series of green lights that turn to red or an actual meter. Acceptable level is 80 to 100% modulation with occasional peaks into the red.

3. What does a microphone do?
The mic is a transducer, in other words, an energy converter. It senses acoustical energy (sound) and translates it into equivalent electrical energy.

4. Microphones have different Pick-up patterns:
Audio pick up refers to how the microphone responds to sounds coming from different directions. There are two general types:
Omni-directional: (all) the microphone will receive sounds from all sides equally without favoring sounds from any particular direction (angle)
Uni-directional: (one) most sensitive to sounds emanating from one direction and to reject sounds coming from the rear and sides of the mic.

5. Pick up patterns:

6. Just as there are different pick-up patterns, there are also different types of microphones
Lavalier (lapel) mic – can be clipped onto the lapel of a coat, shirt or a tie. Omnidirectional . Good for studio interview

7. Hand Held Microphones
Good for interviews, omnidirectional, good for sounds that are close to the sound source and for videos that is it acceptable to see the microphone in the shot.

8. BOOM mic
Position the mic so that it is just out of camera range but where it can still pick up sound, most common is a hand held on a fish pole.

9. PZM or boundary mic
Sometimes called a “conference” mic, lays flat on a table and can be used when there are not enough inputs on the audio mixer for every person to have their own microphone.
Good back – up mic for when you do not know what the format of the program will be and you do not know the order of the speakers.

10. Shot gun mic Can be used as a boom on a pole
Highly direction pick up pattern
It can pick up sounds from a distance

11. Wireless microphones A mic with a built in transmitter
Allows performer total freedom of movement since there is no audio cable connected to the audio mixer
Problem: Can be subject to interference
from other microphones in the room
or can have interference from signals
in the air

12. Tips for proper microphone techniques:
When testing a mic, never tap or blow into it. Test by reading actual lines from your script.
Check for the proper distance between your mouth and the mic and then keep it at that spot.
Try not to rattle your script pages
Never whisper a cue, the mic picks up everything
Always assume your mic is on, be respectful of others in the room
Always remove batteries from the mics when not in use, unless there is an on/off switch. If there is a switch, you can turn the mic off to conserve battery power.