Skip to main content

Sound Design: Microphones

 A microphone, colloquially called a mic or mike, is a transducer (a device that converts energy from one form to another) that converts sound into an electrical signal.

Study the PDF below (for academic use only)

Microphones PDF

Kinds of Microphones

A cardioid microphone has a unidirectional cardioid polar/pickup pattern. It is most sensitive to on-axis sounds (where the mic “points”).

A hypercardioid mic has a tighter pickup angle and offers more side-rejection than a cardioid pattern. It is, however, slightly sensitive to sound sources that are directly behind the mic.

Omnidirectional microphones are microphones that pick up sound with equal gain from all sides or directions of the microphone.

A bidirectional mic, sometimes called a figure-of-eight, is equally sensitive to sounds coming from the front and rear of the mic and least sensitive to sounds coming from the sides.

Shotgun polar pattern is exceptionally narrow and focused. This makes it flawless at recording a sound source directly, whilst eliminating background noise, and rejecting sound at the sides; which is why they’re always used on film sets for actors’ dialogue.

Microphones explained
Microphones

Dynamic microphones are usually robustly built and less sensitive than condenser microphones. They tolerate loud sound sources exceptionally well such as drums and guitar amplifiers, which is why they are frequently used for live sound environments. Dynamic microphones also eliminate background noise well.

Condenser microphones are much more sensitive than dynamic mics, which makes them great at recording more detail, nuances, and higher frequencies. As they are more sensitive, they record more of the rooms’ ambience, can’t tolerate loud sound sources well, and are more prone to feedback; which is why you wouldn’t normally use condenser microphones for live environments.

Comments

  1. joyimmanuel99kMay 30, 2023 at 6:51 PM

    As a sound engineer, I found this article on sound design and microphones incredibly insightful and informative. The author's expertise shines through, providing a comprehensive understanding of the crucial role microphones play in capturing high-quality sound. The detailed explanations of various microphone types, their characteristics, and recommended applications were invaluable. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of practical tips on microphone placement and techniques for achieving desired sound effects. The article's focus on the importance of considering the environment, acoustics, and the overall sonic vision demonstrates a deep understanding of sound engineering principles. Overall, this article serves as a valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced sound engineers, offering practical knowledge to enhance their craft. I also remember that the Sound Engineering Courses in Bangalore also provides a professional service similar to this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 17, 2023 at 4:38 PM

    Understanding the different types of microphones is crucial for anyone in the audio industry. From dynamic mics for live performances to condenser mics for studio recordings, each types of microphones has its own strengths and applications. This insightful blog breaks down the basics, helping beginners make informed choices. Great resource!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Indian Political Spectrum: Left, Right, and Centre

 Left-wing, right-wing, and centre are terms used to describe different positions on the political spectrum. The terms left-wing and right-wing originated from the seating arrangements in the French National Assembly during the French Revolution (1789). Supporters of the King and the traditional social order sat on the president's right side. These were generally considered more conservative and resistant to change. Supporters of the revolution and those advocating for a more egalitarian society sat on the president's left side. These were seen as more progressive and willing to challenge the status quo. Over time, these seating positions became symbolic of broader political viewpoints. The terms "left" and "right" were eventually used to describe the entire spectrum of political ideologies, not just those present during the French Revolution. Left Wing focuses on equality, social justice, and reform. Left-wing ideologies generally believe in reducing econo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Visual Analysis: SEMIOTICS

 Visual analysis is a systematic and scientific approach to examining visual materials that goes far beyond casual observation.  In our visually saturated world, images have become a inescapable universal language that shapes our perceptions, attitudes, and experiences. From the artworks adorning gallery walls to the advertisements lining city streets, visuals communicate narratives, evoke emotions, and reflect sociocultural ideologies . However, the process of seeing and interpreting visuals is not as spontaneous or natural as we often assume. As John Berger notably stated, " seeing is an active decision ," suggesting that the process of interpreting visuals is neither spontaneous nor natural, but rather requires conscious effort and critical thinking. The way we perceive and interpret visual content is heavily influenced by habits, conventions, and our individual perspectives.  Serious visual analyses requires conscious effort and critical analysis to unravel the ...
2 comments
Read more

The Male Gaze and the Construction of Gender in Visual Culture

 Visual culture encompasses the totality of images, visuals, and visual practices that shape our lived experience. It manifests through art, photography, cinema, design, and countless other forms, representing the ideas, customs, and social behaviours that revolve around visual materials. Visual culture is not merely decorative or informational; it is a powerful force that produces, circulates, and interprets visual forms to construct meanings, shape beliefs, and convey power within specific cultural contexts. From traditional artworks such as paintings and sculptures to mass media like film, television, and advertising, from digital platforms including websites, apps, and video games to everyday objects like fashion, logos, and packaging—all these elements communicate meaning and fundamentally shape our understanding of the world. The quality and impact of visual culture depend on two critical factors: the quality of the visual content created and the nature of the act of see...
Post a Comment
Read more

Visual Culture

  Visual culture is a multifaceted field that examines the pervasive role of visuals in shaping human understanding, beliefs, and behaviours. It posits that visuals are not merely reflections of reality but rather " constructed realities " that actively influence our perception of the world. At its heart, visual culture positions visuals as the reference and data for knowledge, beliefs, thinking, creations, behaviour, etc.; which in turn further shapes current beliefs, thinking, creations, behaviour, etc. Visuals are images/collection of images that are made to be seen. Framed (made) and put out. This highlights that visuals are not spontaneous occurrences but deliberate constructions, detached from the place and time in which it first made its appearance, says, John Berger . Examples like the contrasting Newsweek and TIME magazine covers of O.J. Simpson illustrate how different framings of the same event can convey distinct messages and narratives, underscoring the idea ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Screenplay/Script Writing: Ideas, Stories, and the Script

 Stories are Character/s, imaginary or real, aspiring and moving towards a need/goal through adversaries (achieving it with a big idea / super powers) will make one a hero). More elaborately, Character/s, imaginary or real, faced with a conflict/problem/issue/situation and trying to understand/overcome/change it in spite of difficulties / limitations / oppositions from within or without (overcoming/changing it with a big idea / super powers) will make one a hero). Please study the PDF below (only for academic use) Stories and Film Scripting PDF Stories have Shapes Storytelling is an art form that has captivated humans since the dawn of civilisation. Whether through oral traditions, written literature, or visual media, stories have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. At the heart of every great story lies a carefully constructed narrative that engages the audience and conveys a meaningful message. According to Kurt Vonnegut, stories have shapes, the main ones are Man in th...
Post a Comment
Read more

The History of Visual Analysis: The Power and Politics of the Image

 The history of visual analysis represents humanity's evolving relationship with images—from cave paintings to digital screens, from religious icons to internet memes. This intellectual journey traces how we have moved from simple description to complex theoretical frameworks that reveal the hidden structures, ideologies, and meanings embedded in visual culture. While visual analysis has ancient roots, its most transformative developments have occurred in the modern and contemporary periods, fundamentally reshaping how we understand the power and politics of the image. Early Foundations The early history of visual analysis established essential methodologies that would later be challenged and expanded. Pliny the Elder 's first-century documentation of artists and techniques in his Natural History represented an empirical approach—cataloging rather than interpreting. This descriptive tradition continued through Giorgio Vasari 's biographical narratives in The Lives of the A...
1 comment
Read more

Early History of Cinema

 The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the birth and rapid evolution of cinema as a new artistic and technological medium. Lets us examine the key innovations, pioneers, and early milestones that shaped the beginnings of cinema, from its precursors in motion photography to the establishment of narrative filmmaking techniques. Study the PDF below (for academic use only) History of Cinema PDF The foundations of cinema can be traced to experiments in capturing and displaying motion through photography. In 1878, Eadweard Muybridge 's groundbreaking " The Horse in Motion " used multiple cameras to decompose the movement of a galloping horse into a sequence of still images. This technique presaged the fundamental principle of cinema - the illusion of motion created by rapidly displaying a series of static images. A pivotal moment came in 1888 with Louis Le Prince's " Roundhay Garden Scene ." At just 2.11 seconds long, it is recognised by the Guinness B...
Post a Comment
Read more