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These are the two overall microphone types.
These are the two overall microphone types.
Dynamic microphones tend to be used in live settings.
Dynamic microphones tend to be used in live settings.
Condenser microphones tend to be used for recording/studio purposes.
Condenser microphones tend to be used for recording/studio purposes.
The most common unidirectional microphone is a cardioid microphone, so named because the sensitivity pattern is "heart-shaped", i.e. a cardioid. The cardioid family of microphones are commonly used as vocal or speech microphones since they are good at rejecting sounds from other directions. In three dimensions, the cardioid is shaped like an apple centred around the microphone, which is the "stem" of the apple. The cardioid response reduces pickup from the side and rear, helping to avoid feedback from the monitors. Since these directional transducer microphones achieve their patterns by sensing pressure gradient, putting them very close to the sound source (at distances of a few centimetres) results in a bass boost due to the increased gradient. This is known as the proximity effect.[43] The SM58 has been the most commonly used microphone for live vocals for more than 50 years[44] demonstrating the importance and popularity of cardioid mics.
The most common unidirectional microphone is a cardioid microphone, so named because the sensitivity pattern is "heart-shaped", i.e. a cardioid. The cardioid family of microphones are commonly used as vocal or speech microphones since they are good at rejecting sounds from other directions. In three dimensions, the cardioid is shaped like an apple centred around the microphone, which is the "stem" of the apple. The cardioid response reduces pickup from the side and rear, helping to avoid feedback from the monitors. Since these directional transducer microphones achieve their patterns by sensing pressure gradient, putting them very close to the sound source (at distances of a few centimetres) results in a bass boost due to the increased gradient. This is known as the proximity effect.[43] The SM58 has been the most commonly used microphone for live vocals for more than 50 years[44] demonstrating the importance and popularity of cardioid mics.
Supercardiod
Hypercardiod
A Supercardioid polar pattern is more directional than Cardioid; Hypercardioid even more so. Unlike Cardioid, both of these polar patterns have sensitive rear lobes (smaller in the Supercardioid) that pick up sound, which can make positioning these highly-directional mics somewhat tricky.
A Supercardioid polar pattern is more directional than Cardioid; Hypercardioid even more so. Unlike Cardioid, both of these polar patterns have sensitive rear lobes (smaller in the Supercardioid) that pick up sound, which can make positioning these highly-directional mics somewhat tricky.
An omnidirectional microphone has an omnidirectional polar pattern and is equally sensitive to sound from every direction. Unlike their directional counterparts, omni microphone capsules have only one side of their diaphragms open to external sound pressure.
An omnidirectional microphone has an omnidirectional polar pattern and is equally sensitive to sound from every direction. Unlike their directional counterparts, omni microphone capsules have only one side of their diaphragms open to external sound pressure.
A bidirectional microphone has a figure-8 polar/pick up pattern. It is equally sensitive to sounds from the front and back while rejecting sounds from its sides (ring of silence). The sound captured from the front side capture is opposite in polarity to the sound captured to the rear side.
A bidirectional microphone has a figure-8 polar/pick up pattern. It is equally sensitive to sounds from the front and back while rejecting sounds from its sides (ring of silence). The sound captured from the front side capture is opposite in polarity to the sound captured to the rear side.
MICROPHONE PLACEMENT
MICROPHONE PLACEMENT
GRAND PIANO
GRAND PIANO
- Condenser Microphone
- Stereo/coincident pair
- One for bass, one for treble
- 15-60cm from strings
- With lid open
UPRIGHT PIANO
UPRIGHT PIANO
- Condenser Microphone
- Stereo/coincident pair
- Three octaves apart
- 15-60cm from strings
- Not pointing directly at hammers to avoid noise
- Lid open
Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
- Close Mic
- Condenser Microphone
- Cardoid pickup
- Point where neck joins body
- OR – fretboard and sound hole
- OR – Stereo XY pair
- 20cm away
- Avoid noise from guitar being played
Electric Guitar
Electric Guitar
- Close Mic
- Dynamic microphone
- Cardoid pattern
- Close to speaker grille (up to 30cm)
- Avoid proximity effect
- Take amp off the ground
Bass Guitar
Bass Guitar
- Close Mic
- Dynamic microphone
- Cardoid pattern
- Close to speaker grille (up to 30cm)
- Avoid proximity effect
- Take amp off the ground
- OR use DI Box
Drumkit
Drumkit
- Close mic each drum with clip dynamic microphones and 2 condenser overheads
- Cardoid pattern
- Close to each skin (5-15cm)
- OR – stereo recording using 2 condenser microphones
- OR – same as above but with dynamic microphone on the snare
Brass/Saxophone
Brass/Saxophone
- Close Mic
- Dynamic Microphone
- Cardoid pattern
- 30cm – 1.5m
- Front of instrument to pick up heard sound
Vocals
Vocals
- Close Mic
- Large Diaphragm - Condenser microphone
- Cardioid pattern
- 14 – 45 cm away from mouth
- A little above/below mouth
- Use pop shield & sprung cradle
Orchestral Instrument
Orchestral Instrument
- Close Mic
- Condenser microphone
- Cardoid pattern
- 30cm – 1.5m
- Front of instrument to pick up heard sound
Percussion instrument
Percussion instrument
- Close Mic
- Condenser microphone – small diaphragm
- Cardioid pattern
- Up to 30cm from skin/sound
- Careful for overload
Tips on close mic'ing
Tips on close mic'ing
- Loud instruments such as trumpets and trombones sound best when recorded slightly off-axis from the bell.
- Tuned Percussion can be recorded in the same way as the piano with 2 microphones for higher and lower pitches
- Brass instruments produce very high levels of sound and dynamic microphones should be used.
- Large diaphragm cardioid condenser microphones suit many instruments such as strings. Place 30-60cm away
- Woodwind suit a smaller microphone diaphragm.
Recording Ensembles
Recording Ensembles
- Stereo pair to pick up ensemble
- 2.5 - 6 metres away
- Musicians placed naturally
- Condensers for detail & sensitivity
- Omni directional – large diaphragm microphones
- Ambience – louder instruments further back
- May want to spot mic soloists
Further study support on audio capture using microphones
Further study support on audio capture using microphones
Demonstrate your understanding of mic types by completing THIS QUIZ
Demonstrate your understanding of mic types by completing THIS QUIZ
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