sound and microphones

 The main message of this session: You can’t fix bad sound, but you can make good sound excellent!

The audio spectrum

• 20-60hz – sub bass, usually felt more than heard, gives a sense of power
• 60-250hz – bass
• 250-500hz – low midrange, lower end of most instruments
• 500hz-2khz – midrange
• 2-4khz – high midrange, human ear is very sensitive hear
• 4-5khz – presence, responsible for clarity
• 5-20khz – brilliance, responsible for sparkle and air of a sound

Types of mics

Dynamic mics – a coil of wire around a magnet

• Durable

• High mass – not hugely sensitive but will make loud noises without too much distortion.

• Directional

• No inherent noise

 

Condenser mics – two metal plates moving back and forth from each other.

• Low mass – quickly reacts to rapid bursts of sound (e.g., snare drum), also sensitive for low level sound.

• Versatile – some condensers can change their polar patterns.

 

Ribbon mics – ribbon moves within a magnet.

• Low mass

• Low sensitivity – despite being sensitive at the low end, they also don’t suffer too much distortion from loud noises.

• Directional – captures forwards and back but not on the sides.

• Natural – sound pressure and voltage output aren’t proportional, mimicking how the ear hears loudness.

• Low inherent noise

 

Wireless mics

• Make sure they won’t get interfered with whilst moving.

• Beanies are a great place to hide a mic.

• Wireless mics have a pickup radius of about 15cm.

• Make sure the mic is on the side the person is talking to.

i found this session helpful as i have no prior experience with using microphones. i also learnt how to set up the microphone correctly and efficiently, one thing i find difficult is how many different things you have to think about when it comes to sound and that rescuing bad sound is very hard so make sure you get it right the first time.