Chapter 5 and StudioTime - Posted on 2014-09-25 by Justin Bruckerhoff

On Sunday, 9/21, I returned to the studio with Jeff to review chapter 5 material. We talked about the different types of microphones: carbon mics, condensors, dynamic mics, and ribbon mics. We talked about their frequency response, different polar patterns, sensitivity. We alsotalked about high pass filters and low cut filter switches and he used examples of when those would be used. We also touched on signal-to-noise ratio, distortion, and impedance.

After reviewing the material from the text we proceeded downstairs to the sudio for the hands-on portion of the evening. Jeff had me open up a new file in Pro Tools where we would test out the sensitivity of a few microphones and discuss the differences in the sound waves they produce. We tested out a Neumann U87, Shure SM81, and a Shure SM58 which ranged in that order from most sensitive to least sensitive. Jeff took apart the Neumann mic to show its internals which was really interesting. He showed me an example of mid/side microphone set-up, which we used to record audio. We talked about how phasing can occur between mics in stereo miking and we disussed how that problem can be resolved. He also tested me on the patch bays, testing me to see if I knew where to make the correct connections. He's constantyl testing my mind and I like that.