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Microphone Types

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239 views

Microphone Types

Uploaded by

api-259438750
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Microphones

NOT ALL MICROPHONES PICK UP SOUND IN THE SAME WAY.


We already know the three types of
microphones:

Dynamic
Condenser
Ribbon

Lets have a closer look at the first two
dynamic and condenser
Dynamic
A thin plastic film diaphragm is attached to a
fine coil of wire which sits in a gap in a
permanent magnet so it can move between the
poles.
Dynamic
Pros
Inexpensive
Low handling noise
Takes high sound pressure
levels
Requires no power
Limits spill
Cons
Diaphragm movement
restricted by coil mass
Small output signal needs
greater amplification
Is therefore, inefficient at
handling quiet sounds sources
and needs to be close to the
sound source
Condenser
Sometimes referred to as a capacitor.
It requires a battery or phantom power.
Contains a pair of parallel metal plates separated by an insulator
across which is stored an electric charge.
One plate is thin and flexible plastic, free to move coated with a
thin spattering of metal particles to make it electrically conductive.
When the plates are charged by the battery or phantom power
any movement by the diaphragm side causes the capacitance to
change minutely which in turn alters the voltage across the resistor
as current flows through it.
Condenser
Pros
Lighter weight = less
inertia, better
performance at high
frequencies
Higher sensitivity and
collects sound well even
when placed further
away from a sound
source
Cons
Prone to changes in
humidity caused by droplets
of moisture forming a
conductive path leaking the
electrical charge on the mic
capsule
Poor handling noise
Not for high sound pressure
levels
More expensive
Cardioid One of the most common types are
referred to as cardioid.
Sound arriving at the front of the
microphone will cause movement of the
diaphragm while sounds arriving from
the sides and rear will hardly be picked
up at all.
Therefore, the cardioid microphone is a
good choice of mic when off-axis sound
could be a problem.
Picking up sound in this defined way is
measurable and quantifiable the
readings and results of which produce
what is known as a cardioid polar pick-
up pattern.
Picks up sound from the front
Cardioid (cont)
The polar pattern for a cardioid microphone produces a
characteristic heart shaped pickup pattern.
A cardioid microphone is used primarily when unwanted
off-axis sound such as spill from other instruments or room
reverberation need to be minimised.
The cardioid mic used in conjunction with a close
microphone technique will maximise signals approaching
the mic from straight on leaving little or no room for off-
axis sound to interfere with the direct sound.
Omni-directional
This type of microphone has a diaphragm fixed
over the end of a sealed airtight cavity keeping
the air pressure on the back of the diaphragm
constant.
The pressure on the outside of the diaphragm
varies with the sound reaching it.
As it responds directly to sound pressure from
outside it is known as a pressure microphone.
The pressure changes take place no matter
where the sound is coming from making the
microphone pick-up characteristic
omnidirectional.
This type of microphone produces a more natural
accurate sound than cardioid.
Sounds from all directions are reproduced fairly
accurately.
Picks up from all directions
Figure of 8
The diaphragm in this type of
microphone is open to the air at both
ends.
Being a pressure gradient microphone
it responds to the difference in
pressure between the front and rear.
Sound arriving towards the front will
cause the diaphragm to move
creating a signal.
Equally so will sound arriving at the
rear.
Picks up from front and back
Other concepts associated with
microphones:
Closed microphone
Wind shield
Pop shield
Boom stand
XLR lead
Reverb
Dynamic range/compression
Feedback
Foldback
Spillage
Proximity effect
EQ

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