Microphones

Question 1

What are the main types of microphone?

Answer 1

• Condenser.
• Dynamic.
• Ribbon (50s).

Question 2

What is a condenser mic and what is it used for?

Answer 2

• More sensitive, higher frequency response.
• Requires a 45V phantom power.
• Studio recordings.

Question 3

What is a dynamic mic and what is it used for?

Answer 3

• Microphone used for high SPLs (sound pressure levels).
• Used in live music, more sturdy and rigid.

Question 4

What are the most common mic polar patterns?

Answer 4

• Cardioid, mostly the front.
• Omnidirectional, all around (360 degrees).
• Figure-of-8, front and back.

Question 5

What is an appropriate distance for close miking?

Answer 5

Between 15-30cm.

Question 6

What is the difference between small and large microphone diaphragms?

Answer 6

Small - more sensitive so more frequencies picked up, superior transient response.
Large - more characteristic quality, less consistent pick-up patterns so sounds more warm.

Question 7

What is a preamp?

Answer 7

Amplifiers that take weak signals and boost them to be stronger in a clean way so that they can be used for mixing.

Question 8

What is signal-to-noise ratio?

Answer 8

Compares the level of a signal power to a level of (unwanted) noise power.