Microphones Types
Dynamic microphones records sound by having a plate named the Diaphragm which is attached to a magnet that also has a coil wrapped around it. When the diaphragm vibrates in response to incoming sound-waves, the coil moves backwards and forwards past the magnet. This creates which is channelled from the microphone. Here a photo of how a dynamic looks
A condenser microphone has a diaphragm similar to the dynamic microphone but the condenser has another plat behind the diaphragm and in-between those plates is a voltage . A voltage is required for the capacitor to work. This voltage is supplied by either a battery or by external phantom power. The diaphragm vibrates when struck by sound waves changing the distance between the plates and therefor changing the capacitance. When the plates are further apart, capacitance decreases and a discharge current occurs.
Condenser Microphone
Polar Patterns
Cardioid
Cardioid mics are most effective at picking up sound from most infront of them and least effective at picking up sound behind them. Cardioid Mics are essential mics for considering a live music performance.
Omni-Directional
Omnidirectional microphones are equally sensitive to sound arriving from all angles. Therefore, the microphone does not need to be aimed in any particular direction. This can be particularly useful when using a lapel mic to capture a speakers voice. The disadvantage of omni-directional is that it cannot be aimed at a specific source.
Figure of 8
A microphone with a figure-of-eight polar pattern picks up the sound from in front of the microphone and from the rear but not the sides (90 degree angle). Microphones with a figure-of-eight polar pattern are typically ribbon or large diaphragm condenser microphones.
Super Cardioid
Super - cardioid microphones offer a narrower pickup than cardioids and a greater rejection of ambient sound. However, they also pick up a small amount of sound from directly behind. For this reason, it is particularly important to place monitor speakers to the side facing the 'dead spots'.
H2
For this lesson I was given the task to record a Glockenspiel in two different locations. We recorded in the studio and out in the open. For the studio recording, we had 3 different types of microphones a Shure SM58 which is a dynamic microphone typically used for recording vocals, the 2nd is an AKG D112, this is another dynamic microphone that is normally used for recording kick drums and the final microphone is another AKG model but it is the C1000 which is typically used for recording wind instruments. Also, the polar patterns for all Cardioid except the C1000 which is Cardioid as well as Super-Cardioid. Each time I recorded the Glockenspiel, I would have each microphone slightly above the glockenspiel and played a different tune for each microphone. For the open air recording,
Here is a playlist link on SoundCloud to the recording I did of the Glockenspiel:
Microphone Specs
 |
| Shure SM58 |
Shure SM58
- Microphone Type: Dynamic
- Distance: 20cm from the glockenspiel
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
  |
| AKG D112 (Left) and AKG C1000 (Right) |
- Microphone Type: Dynamic
- Distance: 20cm from the glockenspiel
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid
- Microphone Type: Condenser
- Distance: 20cm from the glockenspiel
- Polar Pattern: Cardioid & Super Cardioid
 |
| H2 Microphone |
H2
- Microphone Type: Dynamic
- Distance: 20 cm from the Glockenspiel
- Polar Pattern: Diverse range of Polar Pattern
Glockenspiel Evaluation
For this lesson I was given the task to record a Glockenspiel in two different locations. We recorded in the studio and out in the open. For the studio recording, we had 3 different types of microphones a Shure SM58 which is a dynamic microphone typically used for recording vocals, the 2nd is an AKG D112, this is another dynamic microphone that is normally used for recording kick drums and the final microphone is another AKG model but it is the C1000 which is typically used for recording wind instruments. Also, the polar patterns for all Cardioid except the C1000 which is Cardioid as well as Super-Cardioid. Each time I recorded the Glockenspiel, I would have each microphone slightly above the glockenspiel and played a different tune for each microphone. For the open air recording,
Here is a playlist link on SoundCloud to the recording I did of the Glockenspiel:
Multiple Area Recordings
For this lesson, I was set the task to go and record different tracks of different intruments in two different places. For the first set of recordings, I went into a different classroom and we recorded an acoustic guitar and a glockenspiel. We had the mobile desk and we set that up with a new track as well as setting up the microphone to record the different instruments. We placed the microhpone about 20cm away from the instrument before we started reocrding, the microphone we used for the recording was the C1000 condenser microphone. After setting up the microphone, the guitarist played a rhythm after which, we ended the recording and transferred the file from the computer and uploaded to SoundCloud.
Here is a playlist link on SoundCloud to the multiple area recordings
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