1. Microphones

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

3. Sound Pickup - directionality
Omnidirectional
Unidirectional

4. Omnidirectional
Hears well in ALL directions

5. Unidirectional
Hears well from ONE direction

6. Unidirectional
Cardioid – in front of and to the sides

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

8. How are Mics Made?
3 types
Dynamic
Condenser
Ribbon

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

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

11. Condenser
Moveable plate (diaphragm) oscillates against a fixed plate

12. 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

13. Ribbon
A tiny ribbon in a magnetic field

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

15. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

21. 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

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

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

24. 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

25. 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

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

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

28. 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

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

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

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

32. Headset Disadvantages
Useful in only a few applications
Sports
Live events

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

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