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Sound Design 2

The document discusses different types of microphones used for sound recording including condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, and ribbon microphones. Condenser microphones are very sensitive but can distort at high volumes. Dynamic microphones are more durable and better suited for high volumes but have lower sensitivity. Ribbon microphones produce a high fidelity sound but are more expensive. The document also covers microphone polar patterns such as omnidirectional, figure-8, and cardioid patterns.

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86 views4 pages

Sound Design 2

The document discusses different types of microphones used for sound recording including condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, and ribbon microphones. Condenser microphones are very sensitive but can distort at high volumes. Dynamic microphones are more durable and better suited for high volumes but have lower sensitivity. Ribbon microphones produce a high fidelity sound but are more expensive. The document also covers microphone polar patterns such as omnidirectional, figure-8, and cardioid patterns.

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Sound Design

Microphone Research:
Different Mics:
 Condenser Mics
 Dynamic Mics
 Ribbon Mics

Condenser Mic: “Condenser microphones are extremely sensitive and due to the fact
they use a conductive diaphragm which vibrates with sound pressure and uses
capacitance to create the audio signal, they are very susceptible to distorting at higher
levels, so not ideal for recording guitar amps up close. You will often see a condenser
microphone with a popper stopper or “pop shield” filter placed in front of it when
someone is recording vocals with them. This is to stop excess air pressure vibrating the
microphone. Due to the fact they are so sensitive, you get a far more natural and
transparent recording with a condenser microphone.”
https://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/the-different-types-of-microphones-explained

“Condenser microphones are considered the most common type of microphone. Condenser
mics use diaphragms, which are thin, membranous plates, as one plate in a capacitor. A
voltage runs in between the capacitor and the diaphragm, which moves up and down as
sound vibrations enter the microphone. The distance between the diaphragm and the
capacitor is recorded via the electronic charge and is transmitted into electronic sound.”
https://www.techwalla.com/articles/condensor-vs-dynamic-microphone

Condenser Pros and Cons: Pro Con


Suited for indoors Can be damaged due to to
Can be small weather issues
More sensitivity More expensive
Outdoor audio interference

https://cybercollege.com/tvp038.htm

Dynamic Mic: “Overall a dynamic microphone is a sturdier and more reliable


microphone option for those who play live, record their vocals or guitars at high levels
and swing their microphones around due to the fact if you drop them they’ll be ok.
They take an awful lot of noise before they start to distort, so for heavier guitars and
more aggressive vocals in a live setting, this microphone is for you. The technical bit is
that these microphones use a moving coil magnetic diaphragm to produce the audio
signal and can handle high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL).”
https://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/the-different-types-of-microphones-explained
Dynamic microphones are versatile and ideal for general-purpose use. They use a simple
design with few moving parts. They are relatively sturdy and resilient to rough handling.
They are also better suited to handling high volume levels, such as from certain musical
instruments or amplifiers. They have no internal amplifier and do not require batteries or
external power.
https://www.mediacollege.com/audio/microphones/dynamic.html

Dynamic Pros and Cons: Pro Con


No power required Low sensitivity & power output
Low cost Slower response time
Rugged Bad for maximum audio quality

https://cybercollege.com/tvp038.htm

Ribbon Mic: “Ribbon mics are for the recording connoisseur (and those with a little
extra funds to spare), and often those who want a vintage sounding vibe to their
recording. Ribbon mics have an uncanny ability to record an entire room beautifully,
record higher notes associated with woodwind or strings accurately and relay more
ambient sounds. These features make these microphones very popular with those who
want to record a wide range of acoustic instruments professionally.”
https://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/the-different-types-of-microphones-explained

“Unlike dynamic and condenser microphones, which capture sound by responding to sound


pressure level (SPL), ribbon mics work by reacting to the change in air velocity. In ribbon
mics, a light metal ribbon is suspended between the poles of a magnet. When the ribbon
vibrates, it creates a voltage that corresponds to the changes in the air velocity of the sound
source, unlike other mics where the voltage is proportional to the displacement of the
diaphragm.”
https://www.proaudioland.com/news/ribbon-mics-microphones-benefits/

Ribbon Pros and Cons: Pro Con


Highly dynamic, high Expensive
fidelity sound Not as suitable outdoors

https://darkhorseinstitute.com/microphone-101-condensers-dynamic-ribbon/
Microphone Polar Patterns:

Omnidirectional – An Omnidirectional microphone is a type of mic that can pick up sound


with equal gain from all sides or directions around the mic. This means sound can be picked
in a 360-degree spin around the mic and sounds from the camera operator and others
around the camera will be picked up. This type of mic can be used in found footage films,
documentaries, etc.

Figure 8 – A microphone with a bi-directional pickup pattern is more commonly referred to


as a figure 8 microphone. They are handy for picking up the voices/noises from two
directions, making them optimal for interview recordings where the interviewee is asked
questions by the person behind the microphone.

Cardioid – A Cardioid microphone is a one-directional mic that blocks the sound from
everywhere other than what’s in front of it, there are different variations of the cardioid
mic, such as supercardioid, which results in improved resistance to feedback due to their
enhanced capability to reject noise. Cardioid mics are best used in live performances, for
noise reduction and feedback suppression, and can be used in other events where you need
good and clear sound from one main direction.
Links:

 https://ehomerecordingstudio.com/best-vocal-mics/
 https://www.dpamicrophones.com/mic-university/directional-vs-omnidirectional-
microphones?
gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvNWar__s5wIVwrHtCh0XgA3WEAAYASAAEgJFSfD_BwE
 https://www.dawsons.co.uk/blog/what-is-phantom-power

There are six common microphone designs:

 hand held -- the type held by on-camera talent or used for on-location interviews

 personal mic (lavaliere / clip-on mic) -- Whether hung from a cord around the neck

(lavaliere) or clipped to clothing, these are all referred to as personal mics.

 shotgun -- used for on-location production to pick up sounds a moderate distance

from the camera

 boundary effect microphone -- also called PZ or PZM mics These rely primarily on

reflected sounds from a hard surface such as a table top

 contact mics -- which pick up sound by being in direct physical contact with the

sound source. These mics are generally mounted on musical instruments.

 studio microphones -- the largest category of microphone. These include a number

of application designs that we'll discuss.

https://cybercollege.com/tvp038.htm

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