Microphone Basics
What are microphones used for?
Recording, amplifying sound
Another name for dynamic microphone
Moving Coil
Where are condenser microphones most commonly used and why?
Recording studios, good for room ambiance.
Where are ribbon microphones most commonly used and why?
Typically used in the studio because they are
fragile.
Describe an omni-directional microphone.
Microphone that picks up equally from all directions.
Name one factor when capturing a sound with a microphone.
Microphone location in relation to the sound
source.
Where are dynamic microphones most commonly used?
Mostly live situations, but they are also used a
lot in the studio.
True or false: Condenser microphones are used for recording louder sounds.
False: quiet sounds
Ribbon mics are used for close or far away applications.
Close
Describe a cardioid microphone.
Most sensitive to sounds coming from in front of the mic and least sensitive directly behind the mic.
Name one factor when capturing a sound with a microphone.
The acoustic environment in which we choose to
record the sound source.
Name one disadvantage of dynamic microphones.
These microphones often miss the many subtle
nuances of sounds because it takes a lot of sound
pressure to move the coil.
Which instruments are typically recorded with condenser microphones?
Vocals, acoustic guitars and drum overheads.
Which instruments are typically recorded with ribbon microphones?
Often used for acoustic guitars. Also work well
for vocals.
True or false: A super cardioid mic requires the user to be directly where for the best sound?
True
What is used to connect microphones to a computer or other source?
Audio interface
Name two advantages of dynamic microphones
durable and can withstand a lot of volume before they distort (within their own circuitry).
they dont require phantom power to operate.
colours the sound in range between 5-10khz, this adds clarity, presence and understandability to many vocal and instrument sounds.
Doesn’t feedback as easily as other mics
Name one advantage of condenser microphones.
they respond to fast attacks and transients more precisely than other mics and add little tonal
colouration
they can be used to record sounds from a greater distance and capture a broader range of
frequencies
big advantage these mics record a sound while capturing natural ambience of a room.
Name one disadvantage of ribbon microphones.
colours the sound by adding a high frequency edge
fragile
will only pick up sounds that are very close.
Describe a bi-directional microphone.
Equally sensitive to sounds coming from the front and rear of the mic and least sensitive to sounds coming from the sides.
What is used to manage balance and sound for multiple microphones?
Audio mixer or sound board
Which instruments are typically recorded with dynamic microphones? Name at least 4.
Snare drums, guitar amplifiers, kick drum, vocals
and any instrument that can play loud.
Name 3 disadvantages of condenser microphones.
fairly fragile
feedback too easily in a live environment
require phantom power to operate
Name 3 advantage of condenser microphones.
These microphones capture a warmer and smoother
sound than dynamic/moving coil microphones.
Don’t feedback much in live situations.
Don’t require phantom power to operate.
This type of microphone is great at rejecting feedback, but requires extremely precise location by the user.
Hyper cardioid