Sturdy and Reliable: The Dynamic Microphone
In music recording or in live performance, the clarity of the sound heard by the audience and performers will only be as good as the quality of the sound capturing and amplification devices utilized. Whether it is the “boom-boom” of the kick drum or the sweet melodies of a beautiful soprano voice, the correct microphone for each situation is essential in achieving the perfect mix in both live and studio applications. What good is the best music if no one can hear it accurately?
There are essentially two different types of microphones used in live performance and studio recording. A microphone converts the mechanical energy created by the sound from an audio source (voice, drum, guitar, tuba, etc) and converts this energy into an electrical signal. Dynamic microphones convert the sound to signal using an electromagnetic principle, while the other, capacitor microphones, use an electrostatic principal to convert the sound. In this article, the discussion will be limited to the construction, advantages and disadvantages of dynamic microphones.
Dynamic microphones see the most prevalent use because they are durable and relatively inexpensive. They employ a lightweight, often plastic diaphragm that is attached to a small wire coil and suspended within a magnetic field. The sound energy issued by the performing instrument or voice causes the diaphragm and coil to vibrate, generating an electrical current so diminutive that it must then be amplified by a microphone preamp in order to be usable by the sound engineer or mixing board personnel. The advantages of dynamic microphones comes from their tough construction allowing them to be roughly (moderately now!) handled, inexpensive to make, and able to perform straight out of the box without batteries, just plug and play. Their tough construction is also at the core of their disadvantages as well. Because the sound produced by the performing instrument must cause both the diaphragm and the wire coil to vibrate, a large amount of the sound energy is lost in the production of this movement. The fine details and high frequencies of instruments that employ a wide sound spectrum of harmonics and dynamics can be lost in this transference of energy. Another disadvantage can be seen in the minute amount of electrical current produced through this electromagnetic method. Because the current is so small, the necessary large amounts of amplification applied adds excess noise to the signal, making dynamic microphones not so useful in instances where the microphone is not in close proximity to the sound or when less robust sounds are produced (acoustic instruments, vocals).
Dynamic microphones are the microphone of choice when capturing the sound from large volume producers such as guitar or bass cabinets and drums. Less amplification is needed to magnify the current produced from these instruments, and the dynamic microphone’s tough construction allows it to be placed mere inches from the source. Dynamic microphones are an essential part of every recording and live application, and local music stores like Strait Music Company of Austin, Texas, employ musicians with all the necessary knowledge in recording techniques to help every musician find the perfect dynamic microphone to suit his or her needs.
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of recording and pro audio gear to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
There are essentially two different types of microphones used in live performance and studio recording. A microphone converts the mechanical energy created by the sound from an audio source (voice, drum, guitar, tuba, etc) and converts this energy into an electrical signal. Dynamic microphones convert the sound to signal using an electromagnetic principle, while the other, capacitor microphones, use an electrostatic principal to convert the sound. In this article, the discussion will be limited to the construction, advantages and disadvantages of dynamic microphones.
Dynamic microphones see the most prevalent use because they are durable and relatively inexpensive. They employ a lightweight, often plastic diaphragm that is attached to a small wire coil and suspended within a magnetic field. The sound energy issued by the performing instrument or voice causes the diaphragm and coil to vibrate, generating an electrical current so diminutive that it must then be amplified by a microphone preamp in order to be usable by the sound engineer or mixing board personnel. The advantages of dynamic microphones comes from their tough construction allowing them to be roughly (moderately now!) handled, inexpensive to make, and able to perform straight out of the box without batteries, just plug and play. Their tough construction is also at the core of their disadvantages as well. Because the sound produced by the performing instrument must cause both the diaphragm and the wire coil to vibrate, a large amount of the sound energy is lost in the production of this movement. The fine details and high frequencies of instruments that employ a wide sound spectrum of harmonics and dynamics can be lost in this transference of energy. Another disadvantage can be seen in the minute amount of electrical current produced through this electromagnetic method. Because the current is so small, the necessary large amounts of amplification applied adds excess noise to the signal, making dynamic microphones not so useful in instances where the microphone is not in close proximity to the sound or when less robust sounds are produced (acoustic instruments, vocals).
Dynamic microphones are the microphone of choice when capturing the sound from large volume producers such as guitar or bass cabinets and drums. Less amplification is needed to magnify the current produced from these instruments, and the dynamic microphone’s tough construction allows it to be placed mere inches from the source. Dynamic microphones are an essential part of every recording and live application, and local music stores like Strait Music Company of Austin, Texas, employ musicians with all the necessary knowledge in recording techniques to help every musician find the perfect dynamic microphone to suit his or her needs.
About the Author: Clint Strait is a third generation owner and assistant manager of the Strait Music, Austin Music Stores, providing the best selection of recording and pro audio gear to Austin and the surrounding area for over forty years. For more information please visit www.straitmusic.com.
Labels: austin music stores, Austin TX guitar Stores, microphones austin tx
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