Microphones

The microphone is a basic component of recording without which we could not get the sounds that surround us.



It is responsible for turning the acoustic energy, sound waves, into electrical energy, thus allowing the registration, processing and transmission of sounds.

TYPES

Microphones can be classified depending on:

A.- how they transform the acoustic signal  into electrical signal.

1.- Dynamic: very resistant, ideal for recording drums or guitar and bass amplifiers, and for using in festivals and outdoor events.

2.- Condenser: gravan con moita calidade e utilízanse nos estudios de gravación. Ideais para gravar na aula de música grupos vocais e instrumentais, solistas, así como sons exteriores.Son moi sensibles, polo que debemos tratalos con moito coidado.

3.-Piezoelectric: placed in direct contact with the instrument/sound source and collect directly their vibrations, so also called contact mics.

 

 

B.- the direction in which point and pick up sound

1.- Omnidirectional: it receives with the same sensitivity are independent of any point where it is.

2.- Unidirectional: it is sensitive to sounds from only one direction.

3.- Bi-directional ( figure 8): it receives sound equally from both the front and back of the element. This allows you to place two speakers face to face.

All dynamic microphones are unidirectionals, but condenser microphones can be different directions for receiving sound.

It is important to know the directivity patterns of our microphones to put them properly in recordings.


Now we have to investigate in our music classroom ... What kind of microphones do wehave?