9
votes
Why do microphones underperform at distances?
It's not the ear that can differentiate a voice from background, it's the brain.
It can use the minute differences in timing that a sound arrives at each ear (known as the Haas or Precedence Effect) ...
- 8,405
5
votes
Why do microphones underperform at distances?
Let me start by addressing the lack of microphones that can do this. There isn't one. We have specialized highly directional microphones that can pick up very specific points at fairly long ...
- 8,142
4
votes
Shotgun Microphone to isolate sound of golf club striking golf ball
Shotguns help, but they do not 100% isolate anything. The main way to "isolate" a sound in the field is with distance. You want to get as far away from undesired noises and as close to desired noises ...
- 2,200
3
votes
Accepted
Why are studio condenser microphones typically oriented pointing upwards rather than towards the subject's mouth?
In almost all microphone designs, it's quite simply because that's the way the diaphragm faces.
A hand-held mic has the diaphragm set at 90° to the body, so you point it at the sound.
pic: https://...
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3
votes
Accepted
What is the axis of the cardioid pattern of a condenser microphone?
The cardioid pattern is a 3D pattern and is taken along the front direction of the mic.
This video explains the concept pretty well -
The internal structure of the ...
- 141
2
votes
Accepted
How to add multiple omnidirectional microphones to a computer
You could use:
a digital mix console, such as:
Alesis MultiMix 8/16 USB,
a big audio interface, such as:
Presonus AudioBox 1818VSL USB,
Tascam US-16x8,
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8
- 426
2
votes
Microphone and Technique Suggestions for Recording Audiences?
I haven't tested the Beyerdynamic mic (and still haven't run into anyone using Beyerdynamic mics here in Norway), but the P170 sounds okay for most applications I've used it for (mostly as overheads ...
- 466
2
votes
Accepted
For public lectures, what hidden mic setup needs to be used?
You will need a wireless lav mic.
Two manufacturers of such systems at entry level prices (as wireless can be very expensive) are Sennheiser and Shure (there are other manufacturers, of course).
Now,...
- 2,834
2
votes
Accepted
Inexpensive, easily-removable ways of reducing echo in a room (see 360° image)
First of all reverb in an empty room is very long , this changes when some stuff gets it.
What u'll need is a standing library with books , a cozy soft couch and some shelves here & there with ...
- 1,529
2
votes
Recording student questions in small class 20-30 people
I think you'll be surprised how ambient that space is if you try to mic it for speech from 6m away.
A pair of shotguns facing the audience will be fine for 'reaction' but I doubt it will be good for ...
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2
votes
Accepted
Microphone catching only my voice in a noisy room
This pretty much comes down to microphone polar patterns, you can read more about it here: Polar Patterns.
Also, condenser microphones are more sensitive than dynamic microphones. You can read more ...
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2
votes
Mic'ing character inside full animal costume?
As it will not be seen, you have the freedom to attach it to the actor's head or face, rather than any clothing/costume.
You could use a boom version, over the ear & just to the side of the mouth,...
- 8,405
2
votes
Accepted
Recording acoustic guitar with Dynamic and condeser at same time
Record the two mics as two channels. Then you can decide what you want to do when mixing. As this seems to be very uncommon, there probably is a reason. Only way to know for sure is to test it (takes ...
- 1,519
2
votes
Recording ambient sound while minimizing phase issues
Phasing issues only occur if you are putting two sound waves together and the waves cancel each other out (e.g. summing a stereo recording to mono.) If you are recording stereo then there won’t be any ...
- 1,000
2
votes
Are Drop Mics a good option for capturing audience questions in a theater style meeting room?
I think you'll struggle.
With only two fixed mics your best speaker will be 8ft from either side of the room, on the front row. Mic maybe 6ft above them so no-one accidentally catches one on the way ...
- 8,405
1
vote
How Are The Mic Placement Standard Techniques Desided On
This is a bit subjective but I would say that mic placement is a mix of physical laws (how a given instrument or source acoustically radiates, what is it's environment, what is your mic directivity) ...
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1
vote
Accepted
Mics in a field recording array -techie acoustics question
As someone who has recorded a lot of ambience I prefer to adhere to the KISS principle, which I am sure I don't need to explain.
Off the bat, I anticipate issues using a directional cardioid in an ...
- 8,815
1
vote
Accepted
Microphone for two presenters while screencasting?
Let's take the elements of your question in order:
Background noise - as @tetsujin said, move all noisy equipment out of your recording studio. Ideally, run your noisy PC in another room and just use ...
- 5,953
1
vote
rhythm guitar sound on 'only tomorrow' (my bloody valentine) (pedals?amps?guitars?mic placement? etc.)
You have actually chosen an incredibly difficult question to answer as Kevin from mbv has a lot of pedals in use. This is his main board:
And he also uses a couple of other boards on stage as well, ...
- 5,953
1
vote
Accepted
Recording tracks on double bass
Mic positioning is part skill, part art.. & also part guesswork.
I could tell you that you need the mic approximately 6" above the bow, 2ft in front of the strings & pointing at an ƒ-hole... ...
- 8,405
1
vote
Do you have any suggestions on recording vocals/guitar using 2 mics?
I would buy another MXL V67G so you can have a balanced stereo recording of the guitar (one mic pointing to the bridge and the other one somewhere between the soundhole and the 12th fret). That mic ...
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1
vote
Do you have any suggestions on recording vocals/guitar using 2 mics?
As aeroNotAuto mentions in his comment more information on how you are planning on experimenting (mic placement, recording techniques & equipment, etc) would be helpful.
Mic choice boils down to ...
- 134
1
vote
Zoom Q2HD for podcast-quality recordings?
I think you could get great quality with your zoom device, and it will all come down to the room. So I think the living room is probably out of the question, but you can try it.
To get a professional ...
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1
vote
How to record two people side by side?
Shotgun microphones, by definition, are very narrow directional microphones. Placing them on the side will give you a hard time because of that. Microphones should be placed in front of you, since I ...
- 181
1
vote
Inexpensive, easily-removable ways of reducing echo in a room (see 360° image)
OK so the quickest way to achieve a result in this room will be to buy an inexpensive deep pile rug and put it on the floor over the wood. Your most immediate source of first reflections will be the ...
- 8,815
1
vote
How are NBA games miked up?
From what I've seen a large variety of microphones / gear are at play, especially depending on who is responsible for the event's sound, however specifically for the sounds of the court (not ...
- 11
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