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
Electret CondenserElectret Condenser
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
Electret CondenserElectret Condenser
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
Examples of Condenser MicsExamples of Condenser Mics
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
Examples of Condenser MicsExamples of Condenser Mics
AT4071a long AT4071a long shotgunshotgun
Good up to 8 feet Good up to 8 feet above actorsabove actors
Best for exterior or Best for exterior or very open interiorvery open interior
Examples of Condenser MicsExamples of Condenser Mics
AT4051a cardioid AT4051a cardioid condensercondenser
Good up to 2 feet Good up to 2 feet above actorsabove actors
Best for eliminating Best for eliminating echo from tight echo from tight interiorsinteriors
Examples of Condenser MicsExamples of Condenser Mics
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
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