Some microphones like our ears hear sounds from all directions equally well, others hear sound better when they come from a specific direction. The territory within which a microphone can hear equally well is called its pick-up pattern; its two-dimensional representation is called the Pollar pattern. There are three basic types of microphone pick up pattern: a. the Uni-directional, b. Omni-directional and c. the Bi-directional.
In film and television production, you need to use both Omni-directional and Unidirectional microphones depending on what and how you want to hear sound from all directions more or less equally well. The Uni-directional microphone hears better in one direction i.e. the front of the microphone than from its sides or back. The Bidirectional microphone hears better both sides sad not from its front or back.
Operational Characteristics of Microphones
Some microphones are designed and used for sound sources that are moving whereas others are used more for stationary sound sources. Therefore, there are mobile and stationary microphones. Of course, any of the mobile microphones can be used in a stationary position and the stationary microphones can be moved about if the production situation requires so.
The mobile microphones include:
The lavaliere
Hand
Boom
Headset and
Wireless microphones
The stationary microphones include:
Stand
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Hanging
Hidden and
Long distance microphones.
Lavaliere Microphones- the lavaliere microphone is probably the most frequently used on camera microphone. These microphones are usually very small in nature hence can be fastened to the clothing with a small clip. Because of their size, they are unobtrusive and look more like jewelry than a technical device. They are designed primarily for voice pick up.
Hand Microphones- the hand microphone as the name implies is held by the performer. It is used in all production situations in which it is most practical that the performer exercise some control over the sound pick up. Hand microphones are used extensively in news and documentary productions, where the reporter often walks in the midst of much commotion and noise. For singers, the hand microphone is part of the act. They may switch the microphone from one hand to the other to visually support a transition in the song.
Boom Microphones- when a production such as a dramatic scene requires that you keep the microphone out of camera range, you need a microphone that can pick up sounds over a fairly great distance while making it seem to come from close up and which keeps out most of the unwanted sound surrounding the scene. This is usually suspended from some kind of boom, or is handheld with the arms acting as a boom.
This is why this type of microphone is called the boom microphone.
Headset Microphones - consists of a small but good quality, omni- or unidirectional microphone attached to earphones. One of the earphones carries the program sound (whatever sounds the headset mic picks up or is fed from the station), and the other carries the I.F.B. (Interruptible Foldback or Feedback) cues and instructions of the director or producer. Headset microphones are used in situations, such as sports reporting or in electronic news gathering.
Wireless (RF) Microphones-As media productions become more mobile, a need for a system of connecting audio sources with recorders and mixers without entangling
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wires brought about the development of radio frequency (RF) wireless microphones.
Each RF system consists of a microphone, a transmitter, and a receiver. Mics (usually electret) may be body mounted, head mounted, handheld, stand, or boom mounted.
Each mic must be connected to a transmitter. A transmitter may be built into the base of the mic or plugged into the base of the mic, or a lavaliere mic may be connected with a short cable to a body-mounted transmitter. The receiver may be a small, battery-operated unit mounted on a camcorder or a larger A/C-powered unit feeding a mixer, public address system, or recorder.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Good sound equipment is very important to the production of sound needed to tell a visual story. Various types of microphones with different pick-up patterns are a part of the equipment.
5.0 SUMMARY
Having gone through this unit, you should be in a position to list different types of microphones used in sound production. Again, you should be able to explain various microphone pick up patterns, select the best microphone types for different location sound recordings and perform exercises in sound recording.
6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. List and explain at least ten types of microphones.
2. What are microphone pick up patterns?
3. Record at least five munities of a dialogue and analysed the output.
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Kellison, C. (2006). Producing for TV and Video:A Real-World Approach. UK: Focal Press.
Musburger, R. B. & Gorham, Kindem, G. (2009). Introduction to Media Production:
The Path to Digital Media Production.(4th ed.). UK: Focal Press.
Zettl, H. (2006). Television Production Handbook. (9thed.).Thomson Wadsworth.
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