By: Andrew KurillaBy: Andrew KurillaBy: Andrew KurillaBy: Andrew Kurilla

How Well They How Well They HearHear

How They Are How They Are MadeMade

How They Are How They Are UsedUsed

How Well They How Well They HearHear

How They Are How They Are MadeMade

How They Are How They Are UsedUsed

Microphones:Microphones:

OmnidirectionalOmnidirectional hearsequally well from all directions.OmnidirectionalOmnidirectional hearsequally well from all directions.

UnidirectionalUnidirectional favors sounds in front of it. They have a heart-shaped

pickup pattern, hence the term cardioidcardioid.

UnidirectionalUnidirectional favors sounds in front of it. They have a heart-shaped

pickup pattern, hence the term cardioidcardioid.

HypercardioidHypercardioid have a narrow, longerreach. They also hear sounds coming from behind.HypercardioidHypercardioid have a narrow, longerreach. They also hear sounds coming from behind.

How Microphones How Microphones HearHear

How Microphones Are How Microphones Are MadeMade: : DynamicDynamic Microphones MicrophonesHow Microphones Are How Microphones Are MadeMade: : DynamicDynamic Microphones Microphones

• the most rugged

• can withstand rough handling and extreme temperatures

• extremely loud sounds won’t damage it or distort the sound too much

• best option for field interviews

How Microphones Are How Microphones Are MadeMade: : CondenserCondenser Microphones MicrophonesHow Microphones Are How Microphones Are MadeMade: : CondenserCondenser Microphones Microphones

• more sensitive to physical shock and temperature

• produce higher-quality sounds

• prominent in music recording

• need a power supply

How Microphones Are How Microphones Are MadeMade: : RibbonRibbon MicrophonesMicrophonesHow Microphones Are How Microphones Are MadeMade: : RibbonRibbon MicrophonesMicrophones

• ideal for recording voice-over narration, piano, and a variety of brass, woodwind, and string instruments

• critical music pickup for television

• normally used for recording acoustic string instruments

• too sensitive for normal video work

• usually clipped to clothing

• very small and rugged

• used principally for voice pickup

• can be the size of a fingernail

• can be taped to musical instruments

• indispensable in video production

UsingUsing a a Lavalier “Lav”Lavalier “Lav” MicrophoneMicrophoneUsingUsing a a Lavalier “Lav”Lavalier “Lav” MicrophoneMicrophone

UsingUsing a a Hand “Handheld”Hand “Handheld” MicrophoneMicrophoneUsingUsing a a Hand “Handheld”Hand “Handheld” MicrophoneMicrophone

• are handled by the talent

• used to have some extra control over the

sound pickup

• a reporter can move a hand microphone

closer to his or her mouth and can also

point it toward the person he or she is

interviewing

• a singer can control the intimacy or

emphasize the richness of the sound (its

presence) of his/her voice

UsingUsing a a BoomBoom MicrophoneMicrophoneUsingUsing a a BoomBoom MicrophoneMicrophone

• Usually a hypercardioid mic

• pick up sounds from fairly great distances

• Makes sounds to seem to come from close by

• Eliminate or reduce all sounds that lie outside its narrow pickup pattern. 

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boom

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You Just Learned How Microphones:You Just Learned How Microphones:

hearhearomnidirectional

unidirectional

hypercardioid

hearhearomnidirectional

unidirectional

hypercardioid

ResourcesResources

Flickr. (2013). Ribbon Microphone. [Image]. Retrieved from http://farm1.staticflickr.com/126/365558376_64a22c1971_z.jpg

Flickr. (2013). Lavalier Microphone. [Image]. Retrieved from http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5489/9189633393_cbb679915d_c.jpg

Flickr. (2013). Hand Microphone. [Image]. Retrieved from http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/7933247542_c1ee56e4f0_z.jpg

Flickr. (2013). Dynamic Microphone. [Image]. Retrieved from http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2300/1587931470_602488decb_z.jpg

Flickr. (2013). Condenser Microphone. [Image]. Retrieved from http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3152/3015180806_13fcfda6d2_z.jpg

Flickr. (2013). Boom Microphone. [Image]. Retrieved from http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1351/5177635128_bedffdc8de_z.jpg

Cengage Learning. (2011). Hypercardioid Pick Up Pattern. [Image]. Image courtesy of Cengage Learning

Cengage Learning. (2011). Omnidirectional Pick Up Pattern. [Image]. Image courtesy of Cengage Learning

Cengage Learning. (2011). Unidirectional Pick Up Pattern. [Image]. Image courtesy of Cengage Learning