Summary
I recorded my voice with many different microphones and then placed it into soundtrap to create this audition.
Microphone Audition Podcast
My Favorite Microphone
Studio Projects C1
The Studio Projects C1 was my favorite microphone because I liked how clear my voice sounded in it. Also if I ever need to buy a microphone, I will choose this one because the cost to quality ratio is so good.
- The C1 is a large cardioid, large-diaphragm condenser microphone
- Compares with professional microphones costing 10 times more
- Good for many recording situations including voice, instruments, etc.
Terms and Concepts
- Microphones
- Dynamic – The sound waves themselves create the electrical signal by moving the membrane diaphragm of the microphone. Very popular and very well known. It is good for the low and middle range, NOT the high range.
- Condenser – The membrane has an electrical current that waits for sound. When the sound waves hit it, it responds instantly. They are all over the place, but they need an electrical charge {amplifier} from something {battery}.
- Polar Patterns
- Omni – Picks sound up from all directions equally. This is used for interviews because it can pick up more than one person, without having to have two separate mics.
- Cardioid – Picks up one half of the microphone, also known as a ‘directional mic’. Most sensitive in the front, about 180 degrees. Shaped like a heart.
- Bi-directional – ‘Figure of 8’, picks the front and behind of the mic, but the 90-degree angle on both sides does not get picked up.
- Transduction – Converts one form of energy to another.
- Voltage – An electric force or a potential difference shown in volts.
- Phantom Power – Activates the condenser in a microphone. DC powered mostly between 12 and 48 DC voltages.
- Sensitivity – Voltage at its known sound level. Can be called by its voltage or decibels. A higher number means more sensitivity, everything is mostly in negatives. Sound pressure.
- Frequency Response – The range of sound the microphone can produce and how sensitive it is within the range. You want it nice and flat.
- Transient – A variation in current, voltage, or frequency.
- Placement – Placement of the microphone is key, depending on the sounds you want, it can just be the distance from you or the instrument from the microphone. This part of the microphone can affect others emotionally in a way to connect with the audience.
- Proximity Effect – Decreased sensitivity to low mics, which reduces background noise and vibration and counteracts when used very close to the source.
- Output – A place where the sound leaves the system.
- Characteristics – This is the Relative Response and Frequency measured in a Hertz graph to show how good or bad the microphone is. This can show the quality of the mic.
- Noise Rating – The signal (sound source) to noise ratio measured in decibels (dB). Noise is any sound in the background you don’t want. Electricity vibrates at 60dB so you want the ratio of the signal and noise to be higher than that. Preferably 90dB or higher.
- Hardware
- Clips – A clip is something that you use to hold a microphone on something {for example – stand }, but, using the wrong kind of clips can affect the performance, make sure it is tight so it has the correct effect.
- Stands – This ties in with a clip, this is what the clip will connect to. This keeps the microphone towards the object you want to hear without having to hold it or keep it still.
- Windscreen – Something that covers and protects the microphone, mostly a foamy material.
- Direct Box – A device used to connect an instrument directly into the audio mixer.
What I Learned and Problems I Solved
What I learned in this project is that the type of microphone you use matters a lot. I used to think that there wasn’t much difference between all microphones besides quality, but now i know that there is a huge difference. Some microphones are better for drums, some are better for guitars, some are better for podcasts and some are better for talking in front of a crowd. I also learned how to make podcasts in soundtrap.
I did run into a problem. This problem was learning how to turn my recordings into a podcast in sound trap. I solved this by following Leduc’s instructions. His instructions told me that there were podcast tutorials in sound trap and that they would teach me how to make a podcast. I followed a tutorial in sound trap and it completely taught me how to make the podcast. Problem solved!