Microphone construction

Question 1

Give an example of a high sound pressure level situation.

Answer 1

A kick drum microphone would have to withstand tremendous levels of air pressure when it is placed next to or inside the skin. Specialist, heavy duty microphones are made for this purpose.

Question 2

What are plosives?

Answer 2

Some consonants such as ‘p’ or ‘b’ cause a powerful blast of air to head towards the microphone and can result in unwanted noise.

Question 3

What can be used to prevent plosives? Describe it.

Answer 3

Pop shield - consists of a thin fabric stretched across a circular frame. The fabric breaks up the pressure waves from the plosive and prevents the intrusive noise that would result.

Question 4

What has to happen in any microphone?

Answer 4

A diaphragm has to vibrate to transfer the sound wave to an audio signal.

Question 5

What is a large diaphragm in a condenser used for?

Answer 5

Vocal recording - these are likely to have a wide frequency range and a ‘warm’ sound, responding well to the singer being directly in front (on-axis)

Question 6

What is a small diaphragm in a condenser used for?

Answer 6

Instrumental and ambient recordings, often off-axis (not directly in front of the sound source).