Microphones - Bramalea Guitar
Download
Report
Transcript Microphones - Bramalea Guitar
Microphones
The basics
The microphone is your primary
tool in the sound
chain from sound
source to audio storage
medium.
Factors when capturing a sound
with a microphone:
microphones location in relation to the
sound source
the acoustic environment in which we
choose to record the sound source
Types of Microphones
There are three main types of
microphones:
1) Dynamic/Moving Coil
2) Ribbon
3) Condenser/Capacitor
1) Dynamic/Moving Coil
microphones
Example: Shure SM 57
They operate on a
magnetic principle :
movement of a copper
coil around a magnet
causes a changing flow of
electrons that represent
the sound wave
Dynamic/Moving Coil microphones
Advantages:
durable and can withstand a lot of volume before
they distort (within their own circuitry).
they don’t 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
Dynamic/Moving Coil microphones
typical uses:
mostly live situations, but they are also
used a lot in the studio.
close mic applications (1-12 inches)
snare drums, guitar amplifiers, kick drum,
vocals and any instrument that can play
loud.
Dynamic/Moving Coil microphones
disadvantage:
These microphones often miss the
many subtle nuances of sounds
because it takes a lot of sound
pressure to move the coil.
2) Ribbon microphones
Example: Beyer M 160
a metallic ribbon is
suspended between two
poles of a magnet. Sound
waves vibrate the metallic
ribbon which causes a
varying flow of electrons
to the different poles of
the magnet
Ribbon microphones
advantages:
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.
Ribbon microphones
typical uses:
Typically used in the studio because they are
fragile
Used in close mic applications (1-12 inches)
Often used for acoustic guitars. Also work well
for vocals.
Ribbon microphones
disadvantages:
colours the sound by adding a high
frequency edge
fragile
will only pick up sounds that are very
close.
3) Condenser/Capacitor
microphones
Example: Audio Technica AT 4033
How do condenser microphones
work?
A charged electrical current is
applied to a metal-coated piece of
plastic. the coating vibrates
sympathetically in response to a
sound wave because it is very thin.
The metal-coated piece of plastic is
positioned close to a piece of metallic
alloy.
The changes in the space between
the surfaces create a changing
discharge of electrical current.
It makes an electrical version of
acoustic energy from the sound
source.
Condenser/Capacitor microphones
advantages:
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.
Condenser/Capacitor microphones
typical uses:
recording studios
can be used to record almost any sound…except very
loud ones (ex. Kick drum)
extremely effective with quiet sounds
the perfect choice for capturing room ambience.
almost always used for vocals , acoustic guitars and
drum ovreheads.
Condenser/Capacitor microphones
disadvantages:
fairly fragile
feedback too easily in a live environment
(although some have low frequency roll off
switches to help alleviate feedback
frequencies)
require phantom power to operate
Microphone polar patterns:
A polar pattern is the pickup pattern of the
microphone.
There are three main types of patterns:
1) Cardiod
2) Bi-directional
3) Omnidirectional
Frequency Response
Most microphones respond to frequencies within
and beyond the human range of hearing.
Our ears have the ability to hear frequencies
from 20-20 000 hertz .
All microphone manufacturers provide
specifications for the frequency range of their
products.
Frequency response curve
The frequency response curve of a
microphone shows how the microphone
responds to different frequencies across the
audible spectrum.
A mic with a flat response adds little colouration
to the sound. Many mics drop off sharply in the
frequencies below 300 hz. Yet boast frequencies
in the area of 4000 hz.
Pre-amplifiers
Although a microphone can be plugged directly into a mixing
board, better results are often achieved by using a pre-amplifier.
Example: Universal Audio 2-610
Conclusion
Effective sound miking requires lots of
experimentation.
Most home studios should have at least
one good moving coil and one good
condenser mic.