different Type of Microphones

Type of microphones;

Different mics;

Mics are used for different reasons, and one should also know that mics are build for different use, for example some are made just for theatre such as concerts, plays and so on, Some are made only for movie use and some are used for recording in studios. In the case of the specific task I would recommend the Lavalier mics, handheld and headworn mic for performance on stage

Example of microphones which are used in Theatres are;

Lavalier Mics such as Sennheiser ME 4; 

 This is a Cardioid, electret-condenser lavalier mic with cable, clip and grille. Ideal for theatre and presentation use, the ME 4 clip-on microphone is virtually invisible. These are easily attached with clothes and can be covered although one small advantage is that if its covered under a fabric more than it should, cause it might make produce a thumping sounds from breath.

Head Worn Mics; 

Head worn mics work great for singers, actors and lecturers. They have a stiff-wire structure that loops around the ear, while a thin adjustable boom extends along the user’s cheek and places the mic capsule off the side of the mouth.Recent head worn models are outfitted with elements that are extremely small almost invisible. For example, the Countryman E6 Earset element is only 1/10 of an inch in diameter, and has snap-on cables for use with a variety of wireless transmitters. Most headset mics are available in different colors to match the user’s skin color. 

AKG D5 Handheld Mic;  

These are pretty high quality and this is one of their most positively reviewed models available today. The D5 features a great, rugged build (steel wire-mesh grill) with an on/off switch for handy use. These type are common with singers, and talks since it is hand held microphone. 

Boom Microphone - Movie Mic; 

The main microphone used when filming a movie is usually know as the "Boom Microphone", in order to operate this equipment usually a boom operator is needed, basically this is the person who holds the microphone when someone is shooting a movie..

A directional mic is mounted on a boom arm and positioned just out of a camera frame, as shown in the picture, the advantage is that the operator can move freely without disturbing the sound. the one who hold the mic needs to be close as possible without any chance of getting in frame (although mistakes do happen even in professional movies).



As you can see in the picture the boom is covered with a "dead kitten" in order to cover the shotgun microphone this usually done so noises such as wind won't be heard when filming.









The most Familiar brands are; 

• Shure 
• Senheiser 
• Blue
• AKG 
• Neumann
• Audio Technica 

There are many other type of mics such as;

         BASS Mics  

           Multi Pattern Mics

















                     Ribbon Mics 

















                           USB Mics 

Recording Levels - What should my recording lever bar be at ?

 Recording Level 

When recording either in a professional studio or using a recording device, and important step that one should take or know is what level should the recording bar be at?

Simple let's say you have a microphone in front of you, and your voice is low, the green meter would show that the level is -39, therefore when you try to adjust the gain, the noise background would start to be heard. When this happens the full record session has to be done since its not professional to have background noise. 

While if your volume is higher than it should be this would result in clipping, which means that you have exceeded the the dynamic range, Which is the red meter (0). This also indicates that you have no head room left.

The ideal meter level should be around -12 (which is the green bar),Therefore this indicates that their is enough head room especially when one wants to edit the sound. 

                   Image:      http://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/recording-audio-into-premiere-pro/ 

Microphone Pickup patterns

Mics polar pattern 

Basically this describes how mic responds to sounds from different direction. There are different types of direction such as the "Omnidirectional", "Unidirectional" and the Bi-directional also knows as the figure of 8. 

Disk Makers blog, 09/03/2015, pros and cons of the figure 8 mic pick up pattern,(online), Availble at: http://blog.discmakers.com/2015/03/pros-and-cons-of-the-figure-8-mic/ /> (Accessed on 18 October 2016).  

1.   Omnidirectional; 

This is used when someone wants to record sound and does not want any sound to be rejected, therefore sound comes from each direction (Example while performing a play you are getting all the sound coming from the stage ), its like a 360 degree pattern.  These are usually used in recording sessions rather than live sessions. 

2.   Unidirectional (Cardioid);

These are used when you want sound to come from a specific direction and having less response from other directions, therefore these are sensitive for the sound coming from the front. 

3.  Bi- directional (figure of 8);

These mics are used when you want equally sound both from the front and the back, these are usually used when you want one vocal or at least two, for example; Instead of giving the interviewee to hold the mic, you can put it in the middle and the mic gains the sound coming both from the interviewee and the interviewer. 

Thanks to technology nowadays there are even better mics, there are mics which have selection pick up patterns, therefore you can use the same mics for various needs. One can buy a Blue Yeti mic from their official website for their own purpose: http://www.bluemic.com/products/yeti/ 

(online), Availble at: http://cd.bluemic.com.s3.amazonaws.com/img/yeti/features-comparison-tablet@2x.jpg /> (Accessed on 18 October 2016). 

•   In this video below you might also find a video explaining the Mic patters, by Sonic Electronix, don't forget to like and subscribe. 

Two Main Types of Microphones ( Condenser and Dynamic Mics)

Microphone Positioning: 

Microphones are an important tool when it comes to live performance, the reason for this is very simple, sometimes we as humans tend to listen to everything that surrounds us and we tend to focus on the main important thing while working on something else, Example : let's say I met a friend and he's been telling me about this new product, while suddenly I am focusing on something else which is happening somewhere else, this is why sound should be clearly and aimed directly for audience, this is known as "Cocktail Party Effect", Grant Bridgeman states that "How a mic is placed can make a great difference to sounds it captures. 

Their are various type of microphones: 

Now the main important thing is that one should know which appropriate one should use for example: when doing a big movie you might use a boomer while when you are recording something small for example voice over you might want to use a USB microphone. 

Their are two microphones types, which have different construction and requirements for the recording appliances and room acoustics, These types are: 

1.  Condenser
2.  Dynamic 

1. Condenser Microphone: 

These are better for vocal work especially when one wants to work in a professional way. These require a box called phantom power (a type of power supply), where one has to input the the cable and switch on the button called "+48V". Usually these type of mics cost more than the dynamic. 

These type of mics are very sensitive and they can pick up all noise from the room when recording, therefore one should note that the better you speak clearly and the better you are close to it the better it will be. You should always respect the mic and keep it somewhere safe especially when not using it, don't forget that once it's damaged it won't provide the same service like it used by putting it in a protective case it won't do any harm. 

-  This picture shows an example of a Condenser Mic from inside

       These mics need other essential tools such as:

• External audio recording interface (with phantom power (+V48)
• XLR Cable 
• Microphone Stand
• Pop filter 
• Headphones in or to monitor your recording (since we need to monitor our audio in order to see where our voice position )
• Isolation Shield ( in order to reduce echo inside the room) 

This clearly shows that when having an equipment such as this one, one have to remember the budget needed since it's not cheap, this is why you should always take care of all your equipment.

Noise; 

A small fact is that when one is using pre-amplifier, or also known as the phantom power, the system itself generates sound, this usually occurs when one levels up the volume gain, although if you want a professional sound one should lower the gain and instead the person recording should get closer to the microphone, and this will decrease that noise coming from the system itself.

2. Dynamic Microphones: 

This type of mics are much easier to work with, and these can be used in a regular room without any special equipment, therefore you don't need to spent on more tools, Usually You tubers who are staring their channel use these type of microphones because they still provide a good sound, although it is recommended that one should use a room which is filled with furniture, curtain, sofas and so on, in order to absorb echo sound. 

a dynamic microphone is a speaker in reverse, for example when you go to an order in drive trough, the same speaker is also used as microphone. these type of mics do not require power because they, generate current, therefore this clearly shows that it's cheaper as they are not sensitive like other mics.

- This picture shows an example of a Dynamic Mic from the inside. 

Below is a video by Sonic Electronix giving a small talk about these two different microphones:

                                            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPjUB-KQ3_Q

Buy or Rent Sound Equipment

First sound or audio equipment refers to any equipment or devices that produce sound coming from devices such as speakers, mobile phones, headphones, TV’s , computers, radio’s and so much more. 

There are other devices which help to create sound from sketch by the use of other devices such as microphones, tape recorders, amplifiers’ , record studios, software’s and so on.

Nowadays thanks to technology one can find many online websites in order to rent or  buy these expensive equipment especially when one needs this in order to produce a professional production such as a live performance inviting famous artists to play in concerts, example Isle of MTV in Malta hires firms which are usually based in the country producing that contest in order to work with artist to produce the best experience for the audience itself. 

Example of these firm found in Malta are: 

1. AUDIO Malta

http://audiomalta.com/  

2. Visage Sound Malta                                                                                                                                                         

http://visagesound.com/

3.   M-GAS Sound Company                                                                                                                                                           

http://www.maltarenting.com/RENTSOMETHING/RENTSOUNDEQUIPMENT/MGasSoundCompany/tabid/1211/Default.aspx

Sound equipment and techniques

Essential sound equipment and techniques needed to produce a professional production  . 

This blog will be taking us in further detail trough out the academic year, on a particular subject called "Introduction to Technical Skills for performance (Sound Blog). Together we will go trough;

• Microphones, headphones and Monitoring Systems
• Portable Readers, and Audio Connectors
• Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)
• Safe Work Practices for performance
• Idea generation and Development Process for a project which will be done later in the coming year. 

What is Sound:  In case of performing arts, sound is essential in order to get the audience attention and attracted to the scenario being performed, this is for a very simple reason which is you want your audience to feel more involved and fully entertained. 

Sound history Generation; 

Sound was always an important aspect, one should know that sound was invented from the early beginning of time, for example, the Ancient Greek used to perform plays in Arenas or Theatres such as the Epidaurus Theatre found in Greece. 

Basically the Theatre was a circled form so the voice being projected from the middle of the stage/ area, will bounce and sounds like someone is being spoken trough the use of a tool, the building itself projects your voice, in an "Echo" way.  

By the time, ancient Greek also used to use old barrels when performing and these used to generate more sound so the people at the back can hear as if they are in front rows. 

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The below image are an example of sound equipment which will should be used in order to produce a production, I will explain them in more details in the coming days. 

http://www.propartyproductions.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/sound-rental-los-angeles.jpg