Check Check, One Two - Posted on 2013-05-30 by Miguel Davila

Date of session:  5-29-2013

Time in:  12:00pm

Time out:  1:00pm

Lesson#4

This lesson I learned the basics of microphone design and uses. I learned that a microphone is considered a transducer because it converts sound pressure waves into voltage. Other transducers include a guitar pickup, speakers, and our ears because they are converting one type of energy into another.  I learned dynamic mikes are a popular choice and can be moving coil or ribbon type.  Dynamic cardioid microphones are good for recording instruments in a room with several other instruments. I also learned that the rear ports in a dynamic mike are what allow it to have cardioid pickup pattern by rejecting sounds coming from behind.  I learned that this characteristic of favoring sounds from the front over ones from the back is known as front-to back discrimination.

Cardioid microphones also have a proximity effect, meaning that as you get close up to it, the sound tends to sound fuller with more bass.  To overdub vocals or an instrument, I learned that condenser microphones are best for this. I learned that the directions from which a mike receives sound best is known as its polar pattern and sound coming from a direction other than the front is off-axis.  I learned something called the “Good” rule which states that when the artist, instruments, performance, acoustics, microphones, and placement are all “good” you will get a good sound.

In general, I like the pace of the program, and I am looking forward to learning about signal flow which will be covered in my next visit to the studio.  My mentor gave me a few handouts the day of the first lesson to help me get a glimpse into what I would eventually learn, and hoped they would help me get a head start. I thought it was a good idea and I like how my mentor Joe is helping me succeed in ways such as this. I’m looking forward to the next lesson!