Audio Production

Unit Review

Microphones

Microphone (mike or mic): A device that converts sound waves into electrical modulations for recording.

Sound Converting Systems

There are three major types of sound-converting systems which are used to classify microphones.

Dynamic

Condenser

Ribbon

Dynamic Microphones

These are the most rugged.

They can be used close to the sound source and still withstand high sound levels without damage to the microphone or sound distortion.

They can also withstand fairly extreme temperatures so they are an ideal outdoor microphone.

Condenser Microphones

Much more sensitive to physical shock, temperature change, and distortion than dynamic microphones.

Usually produce higher quality sound when used at greater distances from sound source.

Can be used outdoors under certain circumstances.

Ribbon Microphones

Similar in sensitivity and quality to the condenser microphones.

Produce a warmer sound, frequently preferred by singers.

Strictly for indoor use.

Pickup Pattern

A pickup pattern is the directions (in three dimensions) in which a microphone is most sensitive to sounds.

Omnidirectional

Omnidirectional microphones have a pickup pattern in which the microphone can pick up sounds equally well from all directions.

Unidirectional

Unidirectional microphones have a pickup pattern in which the microphone can pick up sounds better from the front than from the sides or back.

Foldable

In your own words write a definition for Dynamic Microphones

Condenser Microphones

Ribbon Microphones

Omnidirectional

Unidirectional

Attach to page 29 in your interactive notebook.

ACC Credit for This Class

80% final grade for the year.

80% on all practicums.

80% on final exam.

My approval.

Discuss Radio Commercial

With your table, discuss ideas for your radio commercial.

Mobile Microphones

1. Lavaliere

2. Hand

3. Boom

4. Headset

5. Wireless

Stationary Microphones

1. Desk

2. Stand

3. Hanging

4. Hidden

5. Long-Distance

Lavaliere

The most frequently used on-camera microphone in TV.

Can be fastened to clothing with a small clip.

Omnidirectional or unidirectional with a dynamic or condenser sound-generating element.

Designed for voice pickup.

Hand Microphones

Microphones that are handheld by the performer.

Some are made specifically for outdoor or indoor use.

Boom Microphones

Is highly directional and has a far reach with little loss of presence.

Is usually suspended from some kind of boom or is handheld with your arms acting as a boom.

Headset Microphone

The headset microphone consists of a small but good-quality omni- or unidirectional mike attached to earphones.

Wireless Microphones

For use in situations in which complete and unrestricted mobility of the sound source is required.

Can be handheld or lavaliere mikes.

Desk Microphone

Microphones put on tables or desks.

Used for voice pickup only.

Stand Microphones

Stand microphones are used whenever the sound source is fixed and the type of programming permits them to be seen.

Can be dynamic, ribbon, or condenser.

Hanging Microphones

The microphone is hung by its cable.

Does not usually produce the best sound quality.

Hidden Microphones

Lavalier microphones can be hidden in or behind objects.

Long-Distance Microphones

When a microphone, such as a shotgun mike, is placed in a location and pointed at something in the distance.

Boom Microphones

Types of Boom Microphones

Handheld shotgun

Fishpole Boom

The giraffe or tripod boom

The big or perambulator boom

Boom Microphones

You Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-0o6miil9E

Videomaker - Boom Mikes

Handheld & Fishpole Boom

The most common ways of using the boom mike in small studio productions or in the field are to hold it by hand or to suspend it from a fishpole boom.

Fishpole Boom

A fishpole boom is an extendible metal pole that lets you mount a shotgun mike. It is used mostly outdoors but can be used in a studio.

Fishpoles are relatively easy to handle but using long fishpoles can be tiring.

Recording Ambient Audio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4xX0sYTAjs

Videomaker - Recording Ambient Noise II

Giraffe Boom

Also called the tripod boom.

A small boom used by most studios.

An extendable horizontal boom arm that is mounted on a tripod dolly.

The Big Boom

Also called the Perambulator Boom.

Used in large studio production.

Requires two operators.

A boom operator who works the microphone boom

The dolly operator who helps reposition the whole boom assembly.

When to use a Lavaliere

Indoor and outdoor news production.

Interviews

Panel Shows

Instructional Shows

In-studio television dramas

Music

Disadvantages

Not close to the mouth so it picks up outside noise.

Each person must wear their own.

Wired lavaliers restrict mobility.

May pick up rubbing noises from clothing it is attached to.

If clothing generates static electricity, the discharge may be picked up as loud, sharp pops.

Advantage of Lavaliere

Do not have to light around a boom to avoid shadows.

Outdoor Use

Attach the windscreen.

Cheesecloth can be used as a windscreen.

Good Quality Audio

Three simple tips for recording better-sounding audio:

1. Stay close to the subject.

2. Minimize background noise.

3. Direct silently.

Stay Close to the Subject

When using a camera’s build in microphone (mike), stay as close as possible to the subject.

The farther away the microphone is, the more interfering background noise will be heard.

Minimize Background Noise

Set up your shoot so that the camera is aimed away from major noise sources.

Do not place talent in front of a busy street because the mike will be pointed directly at the traffic noise behind them.

Instead, position your subjects so that the camera mike points away from the traffic.

Direct Silently

Do not give verbal instructions from the camera position while recording. Camera mikes pick up sounds to the sides as well as in front.

Audio

Audio: The sound components of an audiovisual program.

Sound

Sound: The noises recorded as audio.

Sound Effects

Sound effects: (SFX) Specific noises added to a sound track.

Dialogue

Dialogue: Speech by performers on-screen.

Voiceover

Voiceover: Narration or dialogue recorded independently and then paired with related video.

Equalization

Equalization: The adjustment of the volume levels of various sound frequencies to balance the overall mixture of sounds.

Mixing

Mixing: The blending together of separate audio tracks, either in a computer or through a sound mixing board.

Production Track

Production track: The “live” sound recorded with the video.

Straight Cut

Straight cut: An edit in which audio and video change simultaneously. Also, an edit that does not include an effect such as a fade or dissolve.

Split Edit

Split edit: A cut in which audio and video do not change together.

When “audio leads” the sound with the incoming video is heard over the end of the outgoing video; when “video leads” the sound with the outgoing video continues over the incoming video.