1. MICROPHONES GETTING TO KNOW

2. MICROPHONE TYPES There are many, many microphone types and it’s easy to become overawed with the selection. For your purposes though, there are just a few mic types which will allow you to cover all the bases. Dynamic mics, small and large diaphragm. Large diaphragm condensers Small diaphragm condensers

3. Microphone Types – pick up patterns There are three main types of polar patterns in microphones. Most of the mics you’ll use in school will be cardiod. Cardioid Figure 8 Omnidirectional

4. MICROPHONE TYPES - DYNAMIC Dynamics with cardioid polar patterns

5. MICROPHONE TYPES - SMD Small diaphragm condensers with cardioid polar patterns

6. MICROPHONE TYPES - LDC Multi pattern large diaphragm condensers.

7. Microphone Types – Stereo Pairs If you can afford to buy stereo pairs of mics it’s very worthwhile. A good stereo pair of SMD mic’s are invaluable and you can use them to record the school choir, symphony orchestra, as a drumkit overhead pair and on acoustic guitar with great results. If you do invest make sure you spend an extra tenner and get one of these – a K&M stereo bar, it makes setting up a stereo pair quick and painless and you only need one mic stand.