4 (2) Microphones&AudioMixers

Unit IV
Sound
LESSON 2
USE OF MICROPHONES, AUDIO MIXERS FOR RECORDING
LESSON 3
AUDIO CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT IN VIDEO CAMERA:
AUDIO LEVEL & AUDIO CHANNEL
Microphones- An Introduction
• Microphones are basically instruments that convert sound waves into
electrical energy.
• A microphone works by converting sound waves into current in a cable.
• This current travels down through the cable and is recorded onto a
magnetic tape or hard drive.
• The quality of the output is affected by the quality of sound used because
when sound is created in front of a microphone, it creates a pressure on
the microphone and the waves that enter the microphone.
• The lower the pressure, the lesser the volume of recording, and the
farther the sound source, the lower the level of recording.
Microphones- An Introduction- (Contd..)
• We use microphones to send sound waves for live amplification as in
stage shows, seminars, conferences etc.
• For recording purposes as in audio and video tapes or hard drives.
• The type and the purpose of use direct our decision in purchasing
microphones.
Types of Microphones
Two broad categories are the DYNAMIC and CONDENSER types.

• Dynamic – The moving coil microphone, or the dynamic mic has a
flexible mounted diaphragm coupled to a coil of fine wire.
• The mount is such that there is an air gap between the coil and a
magnet.
Dynamic Microphone
Dynamic Microphones (Contd..)
• When sound hits the diaphragm, the diaphragm surface vibrates in

response.
• The diaphragm motion extends to the coil, which moves and back and
forth in the field of magnet.
• As the coil cuts through lines of magnetic force in the gap, a small
electrical current is induced in the wire.
Dynamic Microphones (Contd..)
• The magnitude and direction of that current is directly proportional to

the motion coil, and the current thus is an electrical representation of
the incident sound wave.
• Typically its frequency range is between 40-16,000 Hz.
• These are rugged and robust, and are mostly used in field situation
where the emphasis is not exactly on the fidelity of sound but the
sound itself. Mostly used in Rock Concerts.
Uses of Dynamic Microphone (Contd..)
• Versatile and ideal for general-purpose use.
• Use a simple design with few moving parts.
• Relatively sturdy.
• Resilient to rough handling.
• Better suited to handle high-volume levels
• Have no internal amplifier.
• Do not require batteries or external power.
Condenser Microphones
• Condenser mics said to produce very high quality of sound.
• These are also known as electrostatic microphones.
• A light flexible metallic membrane is stretched close to a flat metal
plate.
• Due to the varying space between these plates by the sound wave
pressure fluctuations, the capacitance is altered.
Cross-Section of a Condenser Microphone
Condenser Microphones (Contd..)
• Variations in current required to recharge the changing capacitance
constitutes the audio signal.
• Frequency range – 20-18000 Hz.
• Unlike dynamic microphones, condenser microphones require
external power supply.
Condenser Microphones (Contd..)
• Some have a battery attachment on the cable as part of the connector.
• Some need power through mic cable.
• When the power is supplied by the recording device, it is called
Phantom Power Supply.
• It is available on some audio mixers.
Uses of Condenser Microphone
• Requires power from an external source.

• Generates stronger signal than dynamic mic.
• More sensitive and responsive.
• Well suited to capture low level sounds.
• Not ideal for high volume work.
• Prone to distortion.
Types of Microphones on the basis of
Pick-up Pattern
Pick-up patterns
• The choice of microphone also depends on the manner in which they
pick-up sound.
• Same microphone can’t be used to record atmosphere sound outdoors
and record interviews.
• An Omni-directional microphone, can pick up sound from all
directions irrespective of its point of origin.
• It is very easy to use and is preferred to pick location sound.
Pick-up Pattern (Contd..)
• A uni-directional (cardioid) microphone, can pick up sound only from
one direction.
• Widely used in music shows when instruments are closed to each other.
The microphone above does not pick up sound from another.
• They are best used for vocalists and musical instruments.
• Also used for recording in outdoor interviews and in panel discussions
in studio situations.
• A bi-directional microphone, can pick up sounds from the front or the
rear, but does not respond to sounds from the sides.
• Best avoided in outside work. But useful for discussion that have a group
of four or five in studio.
• Also come in handy when two persons are seated across a table for an
interview.
• Hyper cardioid is more or less a the same as a Bidirectional
pattern except that it has more rejection from the back of the
microphone – making the front more sensitive.
• Super cardioid is effectively even more directional in that it rejects
more sound from the back of the mic.
Effective way of using microphones
• The most commonly used hand-held microphones are either the

dynamic or condenser types.
• Can be used from 1 to 1.5 feet of distance.
• Steady, strong and easy to use.
• Used by reporters, interviewers, singers and commentators.
Effective way of using microphones
(Contd..)
Boom / Gun Mics
• Used to record location sounds and dialogue in fiction shoots.
• Highly directional mic. Free the subject for any movement.
• They are placed at the end of a long pole and can be moved up or down
without being seen in the frame.
• Boom pole can be extended or shortened as required.
Audio Mixer
• It control the volume of signals coming from various inputs (mics,
audio players etc.) using faders.
• The faders help in regulating the input levels of sound.
• Combine and balance the inputs coming from various sources, while
using one fader up or the other down.
Audio Mixer (Contd..)
Equalise: manipulates the characteristics of input sound.
• It involves controlling the audio signal by increasing some wanted
frequencies and decreasing unwanted ones. For example, the hiss can
be reduced in speech by equalising the input.
Auxiliary: is used to send the output to other external devices such as an
effect generator.
• The output from the Aux Send is again taken back into the audio mixer,
mixed and routed through the final output.
• Route the mixed and equalised audio signals to a specific output
(recorder, corder, headphone).
• Enable monitoring of all the input and outputs of sound.
• Audio mixers are known by the number of inputs and outputs they
provide.
• A 6 x 2 audio mixer has six inputs and two outputs.
• Similarly a 24x4 audio mixer has 24 inputs and four outputs.
• Audio mixers come in handy both in live and post-production
situations.
• In a live situation, audio inputs are first balanced and equalized and
the recording is done.
• Professional audio mixers have a provision to connect a headphone or
a pair of speakers to monitor the output.
• Some audio mixers are also capable of providing the phantom power
supple to microphones when needed.
Audio Connectors
The most common connectors used in professional audio systems
are
• XLR
• RCA
• Phono jacks
Audio Connectors- (Contd..)
XLR
• An XLR (adapted from Canon plug ‘X’, the latch ‘L’, and the rubber
compound ‘R’). Is the universally used connector for a balanced audio
output.
• It has three pins, each connected by a wire to provide a balanced
input for recorders and mixers.
XLR
• Two of the cables basically carry the same signal and the third wire is a
shield that acts as a ground.
• This balanced line removes all hum and other electronic interference.
• There are both male and female XLR connectors that help in
lengthening the cable (by connecting another cable) or even
connecting mics to these connectors or mixers.
RCA
• An RCA connector (adapted from the name Radio Corporation of
America) is a plug and a jack designed for use with a cable for
both very low and very high frequencies.
• The male RCA plug consists of a central pin measuring approx.
2 mm in diameter and an outer shell whose inside diameter is
approx. 6 mm.
• The plug shell is slotted rather than threaded, to facilitate quick
insertion to, and removal from the female jack or receptacle.
• Contact is maintained by physical pressure between the slotted shell
of the plug and the smooth cylindrical barrel of the jack.
• It does not provide a balanced audio output.
Phono jack
• It is also used in audio systems but mostly in those that are not
professional.
• They were earlier used in telephone exchanges and were of 6.5 mm size,
giving it the name phono jack.
• They are used in headphones too.
• The problem with RCA and Phono jack connectors is that they are
susceptible to hums and electronic interferences.
• They are preferred for indoor use most times.

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Unit IV

Two broad categories are the DYNAMIC and CONDENSER types.

• When sound hits the diaphragm, the diaphragm surface vibrates in

• The magnitude and direction of that current is directly proportional to

• Requires power from an external source.

• The most commonly used hand-held microphones are either the

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