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Music Tech > Microphones > Flashcards

Microphones Flashcards

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1
Q

What are microphones?

A

Transducers which convert acoustical energy (sound waves) into electrical energy (the audio signal).

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2
Q

What do all microphones have in common?

A

They all have a diaphragm which vibrates when sound waves hit it; the vibrations are converted into electrical energy.

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3
Q

What is a transducer?

A

A device which converts energy from one form to another.

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4
Q

The four most common microphone types are…

A

Dynamic, condenser, ribbon, crystal

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5
Q

What are dynamic microphones?

A

Versatile microphones for general-purpose. They use a magnetic and a coil of wire to act as an electromagnet.

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6
Q

What are condenser microphones?

A

Microphones which use a capacitor ( 2 plates with a current) to convert acoustical energy to electrical energy. For this reason, they require external power (battery or phantom power)

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7
Q

What is phantom power?

A

A 44V current used to power condenser microphones.

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8
Q

What is the directionality of a microphone?

A

The sensitivity to sound from various directions this can also be known as the polar pickup pattern

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9
Q

What are the three categories of directionality?

A

Omnidirectional, unidirectional (cardiod, hyper cardiod), bidirectional.

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10
Q

What does omnidirectional mean?

A

The sound is captured evenly from every direction.

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11
Q

Uses of omnidirectional mics:

A

Ambient noise, moving sound source, sound from multiple directions.

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12
Q

What is a cardioid mic?

A

Unidirectional mic where the polar pattern is heartshaped. It picks up noise mostly from the front but some also from the sides.

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13
Q

Uses of cardioid mics:

A

Emphasizing sound from the direction the mic is pointed in but also some ambient noise.

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14
Q

What is a hypercardioid mic?

A

Exaggerate cardioid, eliminates most side sound and focuses on one subject. They are often called shotgun mics and have increased rear sensitivity.

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15
Q

Uses of a hypercardioid mic:

A

Isolating the sound from a subject when there is a lot of ambient noise, picking up a sound from a distance.

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16
Q

What is a bidirectional mic?

A

A figure-of-eight pattern, pics up sound evenly from two opposite directions.

17
Q

Uses of a bidirectional mic:

A

Interviews.

18
Q

What is microphone impedance?

A

The resistance against an AC current in a device.

19
Q

What are the three impedance classifications?

A

Low (less than 600 ohms)
Medium (600-10000 ohms)
High (greater than 10,000 ohms)

20
Q

Which is the best impedance?

A 
High= cheap but produce poor quality over long distances.
Low= more expensive but generally better.
21
Q

What is microphone frequency response?

A

How a microphone responds to different frequencies, which are exaggerated or attenuated.

22
Q

How is frequency response shown?

A

In a frequency response chart.

23
Q

What does the x-axis of a frequency response chart show?

A

Frequency in Hertz

24
Q

What does the y-axis of a frequency response chart show?

A

Response in decibels.

25
Q

What is the difference between an XLR and a jack lead?

A

An XLR is low impedance and balanced, a jack leade is un-balanced and high impedance.

26
Q

What is a balanced lead?

A

Carries the original and inverted version of the signal which combine to remove any spikes caused by interference.

27
Q

Pros of a condenser mic:

A

Sensitive
Fast
Flatter frequency response

28
Q

Cons of a condenser mic:

A

More expensive than dynamic
Needs external power
Not very robust

29
Q

Pros of a dynamic mic:

A

No external power need
Durable- good for live performances
Cheaper than condenser

30
Q

Cons of a dynamic mic:

A

Not as accurate/ sensitive

Lower sound quality

31
Q

Examples of condenser mics:

A

AKG C451B

AKG C1000S

32
Q

Examples of dynamic mics:

A

AKG D112
SHURE SM57
SENNHEISER e835

33
Q

What is the proximity effect?

A

In dynamic microphones, lower frequencies are boosted as you get closer to a sound source.

34
Q

What is coloration?

A

In dynamic microphones, the sound is not high fidelity but a certain tone is added.

35
Q

What is SPL?

A

SPL is sound pressure level and condensor microphones are very sensitive to it

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