Operate a digital audio workstation

Operate a digital audio workstation (1.1)

Condenser microphone

Definition and instrument use:The use of this microphone is for singing and instrument recording

Advantages: -This allows the audio signal to be stronger than a dynamic microphone.-A condenser microphone can respond extremely fast.

Disadvantages:-The voltage within the microphone will have to be consistently maintained.

Dynamic microphone

Definition and instrument use:Dynamic microphones are ideal for general- purpose use. They use a simple design with a few moving parts. the sound waves cause a moveable wire or coil to vibrate in a magnetic field and therefore induces a current.

Advantages: They have the ability to withstand high sound pressure levels, for loud drums, guitar amps and live vocals.

Disadvantages: Reduce accuracy compared to other types of microphones.- The output current in the microphone is also very low and therefore requires a lot of amplification.

Polar Patterns / Directional response in Microphones

Definition and instrument use:A cardioid microphone has the most sensitivity at the front and is least sensitive at the back.

Advantages: Suitable for loud stages.

Disadvantages:Omnidirectional microphones can not be aimed away from undesired sources.

Microphones with Phantom Power

Definition and instrument use:

Phantom power is a method for transmitting DC electric power through microphone cables to operate microphones that contain active electronic circuitry.

Advantages: Much wider rage of microphones to choose from, as only a small fraction have internal battery option.

Disadvantages: If you are using battery-operated equipment, it will use batteries at a significantly higher rate.

Proximity effect of Microphones

Definition and instrument use:The proximity effect in audio is an increase in base or low frequency response when the sound source is close to the microphone.

Advantages: Proximity affect can add fullness to the sound

Disadvantages: But in excess it can also contribute to muddiness or boominess of sound quality.

Frequency response of microphones

Definition and instrument use:Frequency response refers to the way a microphone responds to different frequencies. It is a characteristic of all microphones thats some frequencies are exaggerated and others are reduced.

Advantages: They are less susceptible to picking up noise and rumbles from mechanical vibrations.

Disadvantages:Problems in frequency are mostly encountered with sounds originating from behind the microphone.

Actor

How will a microphone make life harder for the performer/audience. Yes Because the performer will have to move there arms and therefore a head piece would be needed .

frequency(low/high frequencies or a mixture)Mixture input(will the volume remain the same?)It would be a mixture of voices.

Group of singers

How will a microphone make life harder for the performer/audience. Yes because the microphone would not catch everyone's voice. frequency(low/high frequencies or a mixture)Mixture of voices input(will the volume remain the same?)No Because you have different people singing at different volumes. Amplifier(gtr/keys)

How will a microphone make life harder for the performer/audience. The amplifier might make the performers voice obscure or illegible.

frequency(low/high frequencies or a mixture)mixture

input(will the volume remain the same?)No as the performers pitch or tone may change.Snare drum

How will a microphone make life harder for the performer/audience.The microphone might be nocked over by the drum kit due to the force that the drum kit is being played at.

frequency(low/high frequencies or a mixture)mixture

input(will the volume remain the same?)Mixture because people will hit the drum at various pitches.

Drum kitHow will a microphone make life harder for the performer/audience.

You may need more then one microphone resulting in a much more complex set up.

frequency(low/high frequencies or a mixture) mixture

input(will the volume remain the same?)It will be a mixture due to the amount of sounds being made e.g symbol may be louder then the drums.Solo singer

The best microphone?

SM58 vocals microphone.

Why this microphone?

The microphone delivers warm clear vocal reproduction favoured by performers world wide.

What other Microphones did you consider and why did you not use them?

The Super 55 as it is suited specifically to vocal applications. Therefore, typically live performance, public address as well as for broadcasting. It however did not seem favoured by most performers. Group of singers

The best microphone?The SM94

Why this microphone?The SM94 is flat-response microphone for live performance and useful picking up remote recordings. This would therefore allow individual voices within the choir to be picked up.

What other Microphones did you consider and why did you not use them?

The SM137 as despite producing a natural sound in acoustic and high volume performances it did not pick up individual voices as accurately.Amplifier

The best microphone?

Sennheiser E865 Microphone

Why this microphone?Because It is great for the amp as its distortion free.

What other Microphones did you consider and why did you not use them? Shure PG81 Overhead Cardioid Condenser Microphone allows a precise and smooth capture of subtle characteristics from each sound source. Kick drum

The best microphone?Shure Beta 57A Microphone

Why this microphone?

Recommended applications include kick drum.

What other Microphones did you consider and why did you not use them? Sontronics DM1BSnare drum

The best microphone?Shure PG56-XLR

Why this microphone?Shure PG 56-XLR - dynamic instrumental microphone for snare, toms & percussion. Cardioid pattern.

What other Microphones did you consider and why did you not use them? Audio-Technica ATM350

TASK 2:Head to the studio and set up the mics ready to record. TAKE PHOTOS!!!

These are my final pictures and recordings