1. What is the potential drawback of only using the on camera microphone? Think about distance and background noise.

2. In what way are the results better when using the handheld mic?

3. When positioning the handheld microphone at different angles, how does this affect the overall volume of the recording?

4. How does the volume change when holding this microphone far away ?

5. Using the second (long and skinny) mic, is the volume affected when holding the microphone further away?

6. When changing the angle of this mic, how is the volume affected?

7. What is needed to make this type of microphone operate at all?

MicrophonesMicrophones

What is a Microphone?What is a Microphone?

Microphones convert Microphones convert acoustical energy (sound acoustical energy (sound waves) into electrical waves) into electrical energy (audio signal).energy (audio signal).To do this, all To do this, all microphones have a microphones have a diaphragmdiaphragm, which mimics , which mimics the function of the human the function of the human eardrumeardrum

Classification of MicrophonesClassification of Microphones

Conversion technologyConversion technology: : how they convert sound how they convert sound waves into an audio signalwaves into an audio signal

DirectionalityDirectionality: from what : from what direction(s) the direction(s) the microphone best picks up microphone best picks up soundsound

Frequency ResponseFrequency Response: : What frequencies (low or What frequencies (low or high pitched sounds) the high pitched sounds) the microphone records bestmicrophone records best

Dynamic MicrophonesDynamic Microphones

Diaphragm is Diaphragm is connected to wire, connected to wire, which is coiled around which is coiled around a magneta magnetAs the diaphragm As the diaphragm moves, the wire coil moves, the wire coil moves with itmoves with itThe movement in the The movement in the magnetic field creates magnetic field creates the electrical current the electrical current (audio signal) in the (audio signal) in the wire coilwire coil

Dynamic MicrophonesDynamic Microphones

PROS:PROS: VersatileVersatile cheap, durable technologycheap, durable technology

CONS:CONS: Not as sensitive as other Not as sensitive as other

microphones: need fairly microphones: need fairly loud sounds to move the loud sounds to move the membranemembrane

Electrovoice 635

Condenser MicrophonesCondenser MicrophonesTwo electrically Two electrically charged plates, one charged plates, one of which acts as the of which acts as the diaphragmdiaphragm

Sound waves move Sound waves move the diaphragm plate, the diaphragm plate, which creates an which creates an electrical current electrical current (audio signal) in the (audio signal) in the attached wiresattached wires

Condenser Microphones: Pros & ConsCondenser Microphones: Pros & Cons

PROS:PROS: More sensitive than More sensitive than

dynamic micsdynamic mics

CONS:CONS: Require power (battery Require power (battery

or phantom power) to or phantom power) to workwork

Not suitable for very Not suitable for very high volume high volume applications: prone to applications: prone to distortiondistortion

Sennheiser ME 66 shotgun microphone

Directionality & Pickup PatternsDirectionality & Pickup Patterns

OmnidirectionalOmnidirectional

Sound picked up equally Sound picked up equally well from all directionswell from all directions

More prone to feedbackMore prone to feedback

Directionality / Pickup PatternsDirectionality / Pickup PatternsCardioid Cardioid ( literally: ( literally: ““heart shapedheart shaped””) )

Rejects sound from behind the mic Rejects sound from behind the mic = less feedback prone= less feedback prone

Versatile usesVersatile uses

HypercardioidHypercardioid ( (““shot gunshot gun””))• Narrow, directional pickup pattern Narrow, directional pickup pattern

directly in frontdirectly in front• Picks up sound over longer Picks up sound over longer

distancesdistances

Directionality / Pickup PatternsDirectionality / Pickup Patterns

BidirectionalBidirectional Picks up sound from two Picks up sound from two

opposite sides (figure eight)opposite sides (figure eight) Limited application Limited application

possibilities (e.g. two people possibilities (e.g. two people sitting across from each other)sitting across from each other)

Variable DirectionalityVariable DirectionalityIn some mics, pick up In some mics, pick up pattern can be adjusted. pattern can be adjusted.

Frequency ResponseFrequency Response How well mic How well mic

responds to responds to sounds of various sounds of various frequencies (pitch)frequencies (pitch)

The F.R. of the The F.R. of the mic used should mic used should match what is match what is being recorded being recorded (e.g. human (e.g. human voice, specific voice, specific instruments.instruments.

Application QuestionsApplication QuestionsUse your class notes and online research to answer themUse your class notes and online research to answer them

1. You are responsible for setting up microphones for a rock show, specifically the ones by the guitar amps. What type of microphone (construction/conversion technology) would

you use, and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that

fits that application. Why did you pick this model?

2. You are shooting video at a press conference, a little bit away from the person speaking. What type of microphone (directionality) would you use, and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that

fits that application. Why did you pick this model?

You are recording the ambience (general background sound) of the interior of a train station.

What type of microphone (directionality) would you use and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that fits

that application. Why did you pick this model?

You are recording a female singing duo in a recording booth. They will be singing together at the same time.

What type of microphone would you use (directionality) and why? Using the internet, find a specific microphone (make and model) that fits

that application. Why did you pick this model? The singers are female with high pitched voices. what other microphone

specification do you need to consider when choosing a mic, and why?