History of Microphones

Question 1

What are dynamic microphones?

Answer 1

• Dynamic microphones are often used for sounds with a large dynamic range, which could potentially be getting very loud.

Question 2

How do dynamic microphones work?

Answer 2

A moveable coil is positioned in a magnetic field, attached to a diaphragm. It is a thin piece of metal that moves in response to changes in the air pressure. The diaphragm vibrates when sound enters the mic. The coil moves in the magnetic field and a varying electrical current is induced, proportional to the changes in the air pressure

Question 3

What are the properties of a dynamic microphone?

Answer 3

• Versatile and good for general use
• sturdy and rough for handling live sound
• Suited to handling high volume equipment
• No phantom power needed
• Only capture noises close to microphone
• Good for noise reduction

Question 4

What are condenser microphones?

Answer 4

Condenser microphones are often used for quieter or softer sounds, with lots of detail.

Question 5

What are the properties of a condenser microphone?

Answer 5

-Detailed
-high frequency response
good to record acoustics or voice
-fragile
-requires external source or batteries.

Question 6

What happens if the sounds going into a condenser are too loud?

Answer 6

The sound will distort and could damage the microphone

Question 7

How does a condenser microphone work?

Answer 7

A condenser is a transducer which converts acoustic sound energy into electrical sound energy.
It needs 48 volts of phantom power to function,

Question 8

What is a ribbon microphone?

Answer 8

Ribbon microphones are the most natural microhpones and pick up the most accurate sound possible in a bi-directional pattern.

Question 9

What are the properties of a ribbon microphone?

Answer 9

• Very natural sound
• Good for brass
• Bi-directional meaning they pick up sound from the positive
• Soften the high frequencies and tolerant toe SPL, making them suitable for recording live and amps.

Question 10

How do ribbon microphones work?

Answer 10

Sound waves enter the microphone and cause a thin metal ribbon to vibrate The ribbon is suspended between two magnetic poles, and a voltage is induced

Question 11

What are properties of the RCA 44 and RCA 77 ribbon microphones?

Answer 11

• Both invented by Harry Olson
• The first 77 model featured two ribbons in an acoustic labyrinth allowing it to be unidirectional.
• The 44 was cheaper so more well known
• The 44 was used a lot by Elvis or Frank Sinatra

Question 12

What are some facts of the Telefunken U47/Neumann U47

Answer 12

• First condenser to offer selectable polar patterns
• M7 capsule developed in 1928 by George Neumann
• An amp built from military components
• Created a sonic quality that was unheard of

Question 13

What are some characteristics of the Telefunken U47/Neumann U47

Answer 13

• Valve/tub mic
• Cardioid & omnidirectional
• HIgh fidelity than existing ribbon mics
• More robust

Question 14

What are some characteristics of the Neumann U67?

Answer 14

• Late 50s
• Versatile, but with close placement in mind
• Large diaphragm condenser with figure of eight pattern, as well as omni and carioid.