1. HOW MICROPHONES HEAR Microphone types and how they hear

2. Choosing the most appropriate microphone, or mic, and operating it for optimal sound pickup requires that you know the 3 basic types of sound generating elements, their pick up patterns, and some additional microphone features.

3. SOUND GENERATING ELEMENTS All microphones transduce(convert) sound waves into electric energy, which is amplified and reconverted into sound waves by the loudspeaker. The initial conversion is accomplished by the microphone’s generating element. There are 3 major types of sound converting systems, which are used to classify microphones: a)Dynamic b)Condenser c)ribbon

4. DYNAMIC MICROPHONES They are the most rugged. Also called moving-coil microphones, they can tolerate reasonably well the rough handling that tv mics usually receive. They can be worked close to the sound source and withstand high sound levels without damage to the microphone or excessive input overload (distortion of very high volume sounds). They can withstand fairly extreme temperatures. They are an ideal outdoor mic.

5. CONDENSER MICROPHONES Are much more sensitive to physical shock, temperature change, and input overload. They usually produce higher-quality sound when used at greater distances from the sound source. They have an in built preamplifier. It strengthens the sound signal so that it does not get lost on the way to the camcorder, mixer, or console. The power supply for condenser mics is usually a battery. Always keep extra batteries in hand especially when on ENG/EFP. Condenser mics can be powered through voltage supplied by the audio console or mixer through the audio cable. This method of supplying power to the mic’s preamp is called phantom power.

6. RIBBON MICROPHONES Similar in sensitivity and quality to condenser mics. They produce a warmer sound and are preferred by singers. They are strictly for indoor use.

7. PICK UP PATTERNS Whereas some microphones, like our ears, hear sounds from all directions almost equally well, others hear sound better when they come from a specific direction. The territory within which a microphone can hear equally well is called its pickup pattern. Its two dimensional representation is called the polar pattern. In television production you need to use both omnidirectional and unidirectional microphones, depending on what and how you want to hear. The omnidirectional microphone hears sounds from all directions more or less equally well. The unidirectional microphone hears better in one direction-the front of the mic-than from its sides or back. Because the polar patterns of unidirectional microphones are roughly heart-shaped, they are called cardioids.

8.  Which type of microphone you use depends primarily on the production situation and the sound quality required. If you are doing a stand up report (standing in front of the actual scene) on conditions at the uhuru park, you would want a rugged, omidirectional mic that not only favours speech but also picks up some of the campaign sounds for authenticity.  If, on the other hand, you are video recording a singer in the studio, you should probably choose a high quality mic with a more directional cardioid pick up pattern.  To record an intimate conversation between two soap opera actors, a hypercardioid shotgun mic is probably best. The shotgun mic can pick up their conversation from relatively far away without losing sound presence(the closeness of the sound) while ignoring to a large extent many of the other studio noises, such as people and cameras moving about, the humming of lights, or the rumble of air conditioning.

9. MICROPHONE FEATURES Microphones that are held close to the mouth have a built in pop filter, which eliminates the sudden breath pops that might occur when someone speaks directly into the mic. When used outside, all types of microphones are susceptible to wind, which they reproduce as low rumbling noises. To reduce wind noise, put a wind screen made of acoustic foam rubber over the mic. To cut the wind noise even more, you need to pull a windsock, or wind jammer, over the windscreen. The windjammer is made from a synthetic material that resembles a mop. Remember however that whatever you use, some wind noise cannot totally be eliminated. The only way is to shoot when there is no wind. You can however use filters in postproduction that can reduce or eliminate some wind noise, or you can cover it up with sound effects or music.

10. MICROPHONE TYPES BY HOW THEY ARE USED Some microphones are designed and used primarily for sound sources that are moving, whereas others are used for stationary sound sources. When grouped according to how they are used, there are mobile and stationary microphones. Of course, any of the mobile mics can be used in a stationary position, and the stationary mics can be moved about if the production situation so requires. Mobile mics include:  Lavalier  Hand  Boom  Headset and  Wireless mics. The stationary microphones include:  Desk  Stand  Hanging  Hidden and  Long distance mics.