MICROPHONES

TYPES OF MICROPHONES
 MICROPHONES
It is a device that sense waves and converts them into electric
signal which aids in recording of sound.
Below are the main types based on polar patterns thus its pick up points or
directionality properties;
1. Omni-directional
2. Unidirectional
3. Bidirectional

Below are the types based on its construction or transducer used;

1. Condensers microphones
2. Dynamic microphones
3. Ribbon microphones
4. Carbon microphones
5. Piezoelectric microphones
6. Fiber microphones
7. Laser microphones
MEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical System
 MICROPHONES BASED ON ITS POLAR PATTERNS

1.Unidirectional
2.Bidirectional
3.Omni-directional

All these types are termed as directional microphones.

 OMNIDIRECTIONAL MICROPHONES
. They capture sound equally from all directions.

. It is perfect for capturing room studio sound. They can also be

used for capturing multiple instruments, as long as noise level
is low because its functionality.
 BIDIRECTIONAL MICROPHONES
They are types that receive sound equally from both the front
and back of the element. Mostly, ribbon microphones are of
this pattern.

UNIDIRECTIONAL MICROPHONES
This type of microphone is sensitive to sound from only one
direction. The most common unidirectional microphone is the
cardioid microphones.

. It is more sensitive to sound from the front and less sensitive

from the back
 CARDIOIDS MICROPHONES
They are microphones that are more sensitive from the front
and sound is captured in one direction.

TPYES OF CARDIOIDS
 SUPER CARDIOID MICROPHONE
 HYPER CARDIOID MICROPHONE
 SUBCARDIOD MICROPHONE
 SUPER CARDIOID MICROPHONE:
It has a tighter area of front sensitivity and a smaller rear
sensitivity thus sounds captured by the sides.

HYPER CARDIOID MICROPHONE

It is similar to the super cardioid microphone but its frontal
sensitivity is higher with less rear pick up.
 SHOTGUN MICROPHONE
Shotgun microphone forms part of the cardioid microphone
family.

. They are mostly highly directional.

They have small lobes of sensitivity to the left and right called
the interference tube which lessens the amount of noice
around.

It has less sensitivity to the sides and rear than other

directional microphones.

This microphone contains tiny slots at the sides called

interference tube which cuts out sound and making it more
directional.
 Short shotgun microphone :

This type has the capability to reduce interference of sound in

the environment and allows the main sound to be heard
clearer and focused.

 They can be used in outdoor shots where the actor is

moving around because it maintains its solid sound for
pretty good distances but the longer one will make the
sound muddy with respect to distance
 Long shotgun microphones:

This type of mic is similar to the short type but has low
sensitivity by the interference tube than the short type
therefore making it specialized.

 . This can be used for indoor shots where actor stays at one
position, and therefore background noise such as louder air
conditions, refrigerators need to be reduced.
 LAVALIER MICROPHONES

: This type of microphone is used in conjunction with wireless

system controls which signals audio changes.

. They enable free and easy movement but has a disadvantage

of radio frequencies interference which distracts sounds in
shots,
 MICROPHONES BASED ON CONTRUCTION
(CAPACITOR, ELECTROSTATIC MICROPHONES)

CONDENSOR MICROPHONES
It is made up of two parallel thin plates, positively and
negatively charged respectively.

. The sound pressure pushes and vibrates the diaphragm which

creates electrical charge to produce audio signal output.

. It requires use of external supply, internal batteries or

phantom power supply by a mixture.
 SMALL DIAPHRAGM MICROPHONES

They are also called pencil mics.

This microphone is an ultra -responsive type used to capture

quality sound in a distance

They are used to mic up instrument with sharp transients such

as drum hi-hat and cymbals.
 MEDIUM DIAPHRAGM MICRIPHONES

They are more modern and often combined characteristic of

both Large and Small Diaphragms.

They have slightly fuller and warm sound similar to large

diaphragms whiles still retaining some of the high responsive
frequencies the small diaphragms captures.

. They are also called Hybrid because of its function.

 LARGE DIAPHRAGMS MICROPHONES

It is capable of capturing sound in great details in wide range

thus, recording its surroundings (can sense air vibration).

. This microphone is best used for studio works for capturing

high fidelity recordings. This mic always requires external
power.
 DYNAMIC MICROPHONES (MOVING COIL MICROPHONES)

. The audio signal generated is by a moving coil with magnetic

field which makes the mic less sensitive to sound pressure and
high frequencies

. It captures sound in one direction and needs close contact for

high frequency

They are mostly used to mic drums, guitar and vocal works.
 RIBBON MICROPHONES
This microphone does not use diaphragm but rather a thin
metal ribbon allowing them to pick up the velocity of air.

Its design makes it more sensitive to higher frequencies but still

remains it warm voicing as the large diaphragm does.

. They be used for live multi-instrumenting recording.

This microphone do not need external power such as phantom

power resulting in damaging it.