Sound

Picture vs. Sound

Unless you are making a

silent picture, Sound is more
important than picture.

Picture vs. Sound

How long would you watch a

movie, TV show with bad or
no audio?

Picture vs. Sound

Have you ever listened to a

show while doing something
else and still enjoyed it?

What is sound
Sound is the vibration of air molecules

SOUND
Sound travels in waves

SOUND
Sound travels in waves

WAVES: Length
Wavelength: The
distance between
any point on a
wave and the
equivalent point on
the next phase.
Literally, the length
of the wave.

WAVES: Amplitude
Amplitude: The strength
of a wave signal. The
"height" of a wave.

Higher amplitudes =
higher volume
that's why we call a
device which increases
amplitude, an "amplifier"

WAVES: Frequency
Frequency: The
number of times the
wavelength occurs in
one second (in kilohertz
[Khz], or cycles per
second).
Frequency is how close
together the waves are.

WAVES: Frequency
Frequencies are
interpreted as a pitch.
Higher frequencies = a
higher pitch.
e.g. a high-pitched
voice forces your vocal
chords to vibrate
quickly.

NEXT

Microphone types

Types of
Microphones

Microphones
Microphones are a type of
transducer - a device which
converts energy from one form
to another.

Microphones
Microphones convert acoustical energy
(sound waves) into electrical energy (the
audio signal).

Types of Microphones
Dynamic
Performance/Podium Handheld mic

Condenser
PZM
Shotgun

Lavalier

Dynamic vs. Condenser

Dynamic mic is not battery powered
Condenser requires a battery.

Condensers

Dynamic

Dynamic vs. Condenser

Dynamic are good for close up work and can
be held by hand without noise (singing,
street interviews)

Dynamic

Dynamic vs. Condenser

Condenser have much better reach &
sensitivity than dynamic mics

Condenser

DYNAMIC
Dynamic Mics use a moving
diaphram to convert audio
signals into electric current.

CONDENSER
Condenser Mics uses a capacitor
to convert acoustical energy into
electrical energy .
Two moving plates with a voltage
between them create current.

CONDENSER

Performance / Podium

Handheld Performance Mic

TYPE: DYNAMIC
Least sensitive class of mic
Generates own electricity (no battery)
For human voice
Low sensitivity and/or directional so as to
prevent feedback

Speakers and
Headphones
perform the
opposite function
of microphones by
converting
electrical energy
into sound waves.

ADVANTAGES
1.
2.
3.
4.

Short reach, low sensitivity

Extremely rugged, few parts/electronics
No batteries or remote powering needed
No handling noise can be hand held

Applications for Dynamic Mics

Live stage performance

Live Audience Question & Answer
Isolated Narration or Voice-over
On-site Reporting
Eliminating noisy backgrounds

Types of Microphones

Performance/Podium mic
PZM
Shotgun
Lavalier

Pressure Zone Mics

Pressure Zone Mics

Aka PLATE or
Boundary mic
TYPE: CONDENSER
mic
PZM mics are quite
unusual-looking.
They are flat and
don't really look like
microphones at all.

ADVANTAGES
1. Pick up large areas of
sound
1. Mounted to large
objects to create
sound

for example, a
tabletop or wall.

Types of Microphones

Handheld
PZM
Shotgun
Lavalier

Shotgun/
Boom

Above equipment /
accessories for Boom
operator (wind sock,
zeppelin, boom pole)

Boom Operation
A directional mic is
mounted on a boom
arm and positioned
just out of camera
frame. The cable is
wrapped once or twice
around the boom arm.

Shotgun
Usually pointing
down from above
when recording an
actors dialogue
(less unwanted
noise).

Shotgun Qualities
TYPE: Condenser mic
1. Very directional on-axis
2. Less directional Off-axis (around to the sides).
3. Good for longer recording from longer
distances
4. Battery (or phantom) Powered

Lavalier

Lavalier
TYPE: Condenser Mic
Qualities
1. clip-on
2. provides consistent
close-range sound
pickup.
3. Good for sit down
interview situations
(actor not moving).

Lavalier - Problems
1. clothing noise
1. Limitations of
movement due to cable
1. Time consuming /
intrusive to rig

NEXT
Pickup patterns:
Some microphones pick up sound equally
from all directions, others pick up sound only
from one direction or a particular
combination of directions.

PICKUP PATTERNS

Pickup Patterns
Some microphones pick up sound
equally from all directions,
others pick up sound only from one
direction.

Types of Pickup Patterns

Types of directionality are divided into
three main categories:

Uni-Directional (one direction)

Bi-Directional (two directions)
Omni-Directional (all directions)

UNI-DIRECTIONAL
Two similar types of Uni-directional

Cardioid
Hyper-cardioid

UNI-DIRECTIONAL
Cardioid
Cardioid means "heart-shaped"

UNI-DIRECTIONAL
Cardioid
A cardioid mic has a directional pickup
pattern, so it is less sensitive to sounds
from behind, than it is to the sides and
front.
A Hand Held
DYNAMIC mic has a
Cardioid pattern

UNI-DIRECTIONAL
Hyper-Cardioid
It is very directional
and eliminates most
sound from the
sides and rear.
It is also sensitive
to the very back of
it as well

UNI-DIRECTIONAL
Hyper-Cardioid
Very directional on-axis
Less directional as we work Off-axis
(around to the sides).
A shotgun mic is Hyper-Cardioid

OMNI DIRECTIONAL

Captures
sound equally
from all
directions.

OMNI DIRECTIONAL
a lavalier has an omni-directional pickup
pattern, so the direction it is pointing is not
significant.

Special Effects

Phasing
The following table illustrates how sound waves (or any
other waves) interfere with each other depending on their
phase relationship:

Phasing
Sound waves which are exactly in phase add
together to produce a stronger wave.
Sound waves which are exactly inverted, or 180
degrees out of phase, cancel each other out and
produce silence.
Sound waves which have varying phase
relationships produce differing sound effects.