classes of microphones

Microphone SensitivityMicrophone Sensitivity

How far the pattern reaches How far the pattern reaches out for the soundout for the sound

Three Basic Classes of MicsThree Basic Classes of Mics

DynamicDynamic

Electret Condenser aka ENGElectret Condenser aka ENG

True Condenser or RF CondenserTrue Condenser or RF Condenser

DynamicDynamic

Least sensitive class of micLeast sensitive class of mic

Generates own electricityGenerates own electricity

Sound is AC electricitySound is AC electricity

VU meters measure voltageVU meters measure voltage

DynamicDynamic

Magnetic diaphragm acts like sail and Magnetic diaphragm acts like sail and moves within a magnet, thus generating moves within a magnet, thus generating electricity (audio)electricity (audio)

Due to relatively heavy mass and strong Due to relatively heavy mass and strong resistance, requires loud sounds to push resistance, requires loud sounds to push this diaphragm in and outthis diaphragm in and out

Dynamic mics only react to strong soundsDynamic mics only react to strong sounds

Advantages of Dynamic MicsAdvantages of Dynamic Mics

Short reach, low sensitivityShort reach, low sensitivity

Low handling noiseLow handling noise

Low feedbackLow feedback

Extremely rugged, few parts/electronicsExtremely rugged, few parts/electronics

No batteries or remote powering neededNo batteries or remote powering needed

Loud SPL less likely to cause damageLoud SPL less likely to cause damage

Applications for Dynamic MicsApplications for Dynamic Mics

Live stage performanceLive stage performance

Live Audience Question & AnswerLive Audience Question & Answer

Isolated Narration or Voice-overIsolated Narration or Voice-over

On-site ReportingOn-site Reporting

Eliminating noisy backgroundsEliminating noisy backgrounds

Compressing loud sound effectsCompressing loud sound effects

As a hand propAs a hand prop

Examples of Dynamic MicsExamples of Dynamic Mics

Audio Technica Audio Technica AT804 omniAT804 omni

Audio Technica Audio Technica ATM63 cardioidATM63 cardioid

Examples of Dynamic MicsExamples of Dynamic Mics

Shure SM57 cardioidShure SM57 cardioid

Shure SM58 omniShure SM58 omni

Shure VP64 omniShure VP64 omni

ElectroVoice RE50 ElectroVoice RE50 omniomni

Electret CondenserElectret Condenser

No longer generates electricity from No longer generates electricity from scratch, but releases existing electricity scratch, but releases existing electricity from batteryfrom battery

Diaphragm is much lighter and travels Diaphragm is much lighter and travels within less resistancewithin less resistance

Diaphragm movement alters capacitance Diaphragm movement alters capacitance of a circuit, thus discharging electricityof a circuit, thus discharging electricity

Able to react to subtle soundsAble to react to subtle sounds


Requires nominal voltage (1 to 6 vDC)Requires nominal voltage (1 to 6 vDC)

Usually provided by internal battery, such Usually provided by internal battery, such as AA or button cellas AA or button cell

Some mics able to take advantage of Some mics able to take advantage of remote Phantom poweringremote Phantom powering

Wireless bodypaks provide power to Wireless bodypaks provide power to lavalierslavaliers


Much better reach & sensitivity than Much better reach & sensitivity than dynamic micsdynamic micsIncludes ENG shotguns and most Includes ENG shotguns and most lavaliers, some other special app mics lavaliers, some other special app mics (PZM, peanut gooseneck mics, etc)(PZM, peanut gooseneck mics, etc)Some music mics, but noisy when Some music mics, but noisy when handheldhandheldShotgun mics are nicknamed ENG type Shotgun mics are nicknamed ENG type micsmics

ENG MicsENG Mics

ENG = Electronic News GatheringENG = Electronic News Gathering

Medium quality shotgun micsMedium quality shotgun mics

Less expensive than condenserLess expensive than condenser

Self-powered from internal batterySelf-powered from internal battery

Camera-mounted shotguns are for general Camera-mounted shotguns are for general ambiance, not sync bitesambiance, not sync bites

Applications for ENG shotgunsApplications for ENG shotguns

Overhead boom up to 3 feetOverhead boom up to 3 feet

Plant micsPlant mics

Interview micsInterview mics

As a spare backup for condenserAs a spare backup for condenser

Location music and sound effectsLocation music and sound effects

Examples of Electret CondenserExamples of Electret Condenser

AT835b short shotgunAT835b short shotgun

K6/ME66 short K6/ME66 short shotgunshotgun

AT825 stereo micAT825 stereo mic

AT851a, AT841a AT851a, AT841a plate micsplate mics

Condenser MicsCondenser Mics

Superlite diaphragm alters capacitance of Superlite diaphragm alters capacitance of circuit. Disturbs RF field.circuit. Disturbs RF field.

Extremely sensitive to faint soundExtremely sensitive to faint sound

Requires 12v to 48v external powerRequires 12v to 48v external power

Best mics to use for dialogueBest mics to use for dialogue

Remote PoweringRemote Powering

12v or 48v DC12v or 48v DC

Travels along mic cable up to mic while Travels along mic cable up to mic while audio travels AC down the cableaudio travels AC down the cable

Potential for problemsPotential for problems

Two types of powering:12v T (A-B) and Two types of powering:12v T (A-B) and 48v Phantom48v Phantom

Power supplied by recorder, mixing board, Power supplied by recorder, mixing board, or in-line battery supplyor in-line battery supply

T or A-B PoweringT or A-B Powering12v sent up Pins 2 & 3 of mic cable12v sent up Pins 2 & 3 of mic cable

Created for early Nagra because 48v was not Created for early Nagra because 48v was not practical for location recorders (only 18v from practical for location recorders (only 18v from 12 D batteries)12 D batteries)

Normal T power is Pin 2 POSITIVE and Pin 3 Normal T power is Pin 2 POSITIVE and Pin 3 NEGATIVE. Pin 1 is not used.NEGATIVE. Pin 1 is not used.

T or A-B PoweringT or A-B Powering

Nagra uses Pin 2 for Negative and Pin 3 for Nagra uses Pin 2 for Negative and Pin 3 for PositivePositive

Mics rewired for Nagra are known as RED DOTMics rewired for Nagra are known as RED DOT

If mic is not RED DOT, then use a PHASE If mic is not RED DOT, then use a PHASE REVERSING cable to change the electrical REVERSING cable to change the electrical polarity. Pin 2 becomes Pin 3, and vice versa.polarity. Pin 2 becomes Pin 3, and vice versa.

Presence of T power will reduce volume or mute Presence of T power will reduce volume or mute mics that are not T-power condensers!mics that are not T-power condensers!

Phantom PoweringPhantom Powering

12v or 48v DC is sent up mic cable12v or 48v DC is sent up mic cable

Pins 2 and 3 are both POSITIVEPins 2 and 3 are both POSITIVE

Pin 1 (shield) is NEGATIVEPin 1 (shield) is NEGATIVE

Presence of Phantom power does not Presence of Phantom power does not interfere with normal micsinterfere with normal mics

48v Phantom is industry standard today, 48v Phantom is industry standard today, but there are still some 12v T mics out but there are still some 12v T mics out there.there.

Phantom PoweringPhantom Powering

Power can be Power can be provided by newer provided by newer Nagras, some Nagras, some recorders & recorders & camcorders, mixing camcorders, mixing boards, or battery boards, or battery power suppliespower supplies

Mic PoweringMic Powering

T-power and A-B power are the sameT-power and A-B power are the same

RED DOT is a variation of T-powerRED DOT is a variation of T-power

T-power and Phantom are totally differentT-power and Phantom are totally different

Make sure you know what type of power Make sure you know what type of power your microphones requireyour microphones require

Never assume. Plug them in and test Never assume. Plug them in and test them!them!

Examples of Condenser MicsExamples of Condenser Mics

AT4050 studio micAT4050 studio mic

AT3035 studio micAT3035 studio mic


AT4073a short AT4073a short shotgunshotgun

Good up to 5 feet Good up to 5 feet above actorsabove actors

Better for interior, Better for interior, nominal for exteriornominal for exterior


AT4071a long AT4071a long shotgunshotgun


Best for exterior or Best for exterior or very open interiorvery open interior


AT4051a cardioid AT4051a cardioid condensercondenser


Best for eliminating Best for eliminating echo from tight echo from tight interiorsinteriors


MKH416T short shotgun (T-power)MKH416T short shotgun (T-power)

MKH60 short shotgunMKH60 short shotgun

MKH816T long shotgun (T-power)MKH816T long shotgun (T-power)

MKH70 long shotgunMKH70 long shotgun

MKH40 cardioid MKH40 cardioid

Schoeps MK41 cardioid Schoeps MK41 cardioid

Selecting Shotgun MicsSelecting Shotgun Mics

Choose for optimum reach and tight Choose for optimum reach and tight pattern pattern

OR choose for mellow voice and reduction OR choose for mellow voice and reduction of interior echoof interior echo

Interiors: echo is main problemInteriors: echo is main problem

Exteriors: background ambiance is main Exteriors: background ambiance is main problemproblem

Long ShotgunsLong Shotguns

Offer maximum reach and tightest patternOffer maximum reach and tightest pattern

Best for exteriors, where background Best for exteriors, where background noise is a problemnoise is a problem

Tight pattern makes them difficult to use at Tight pattern makes them difficult to use at short range (interiors)short range (interiors)

Indoors, they tend to increase echoIndoors, they tend to increase echo

Short ShotgunsShort Shotguns

Offer medium reach and medium patternOffer medium reach and medium pattern

Excellent general purpose micExcellent general purpose mic

Best for interior medium shotsBest for interior medium shots

Moderate echo indoorsModerate echo indoors

Moderate background rejectionModerate background rejection

Cardioid “shotguns”Cardioid “shotguns”

Not actually shotguns, but very sensitive Not actually shotguns, but very sensitive cardioid micscardioid mics

Wider patterns reduce or eliminate interior Wider patterns reduce or eliminate interior echo problemsecho problems

Not good for rejecting noiseNot good for rejecting noise

Short range, best suited for close-upsShort range, best suited for close-ups

Amazingly rich dialogue at close rangeAmazingly rich dialogue at close range

classes of microphones

Education

positive mics

music mics

mics able

normal mics

mute mics

power tpower

handheld shotgun mics

eng mics eng