Headphones

Headphones

Headphones is a type of device that is normally worn on the individual's ears. There are a lot of different types of headphones, it depends on what the costumer prefers. This is because there are different headphones that are good for frequency response, the bass, listening and sound. One should check on the usage of these headphones before acquiring them.

Shure SRH1540

If we mention for example Shure SRH1540, they are most appropriate for musicians and sound engineers. They are also closed-back headphones. This means that these are closed from the whole cup of the headphone itself and so the sound does not go in.

Shure SRH144

Another example is Shure SRH144,
they have a high frequency response. The cups of these headphones are not all open. Although these types of headphones are cheap, they are commonly used for everyday life.

Shure SRH1840

There is another example, this is

Shure SRH1840. This type of headphone has an exact bass for good listening. They are open back headphones. This means that the cup of the headphone itself, is opened at the back.




http://www.shure.com/americas/products/headphones

There are more types of headphones. However, we can discuss not only what products of headphones there are but we can discuss also about the type of headphones available. Some of them are:

• In-Ear headphones;
• On-Ear headphones;
• Musical headphones;
• Gaming headsets;
• Communication Headsets;
• Wireless headphones;
• Bluetooth headphones.

Dynamic & Condenser Mics

Dynamic Microphones:

Shure SM57

Shure SM 57 and Shure SM58 are two examples of Dynamic Microphones and the ideal use of this type of microphone are on stage. These microphones are commonly used for high musical instruments such as drums, horns, etc. and also for vocals. They can also be used for live performances. Dynamic mics are more stronger than condenser mics, this is due to the Sound Level Pressure (SLP).  However, these types of mics do not pick up every noise from the stage. These also have a limited frequency response compared to Condenser mics. Dynamic Mics, don't have an accurate sound. Last and not least, they don't need a "power supply."

Condenser Microphones:

Different types of Condenser Microphones

Two examples
of condenser mics are:
Nuemann U67 and
AKG 414. They are mostly found in studios. These types of microphones do not pick up loud noises as dynamic mics. These are commonly found and used in studios for recording applications, as they are more fragile than dynamic. They also have a high frequency response. 

Large Diaphragm Microphone

AKG C214

Condenser mics always need a phantom power of 48V and these types of mics need to be connected to a pre-amplifier.


There are two main types of condenser mics. These are called Large Diaphragm Condenser, (LDC) and Small Diaphragm Condenser, (SDC). LDC are more fragile than SDC. 


Large Diaphragm Condenser microphones are more useful for studio vocals and any type of instrument recording. An example is AKG 414. 

Small Diaphragm Microphone

Shure SM137 

A Small Diaphragm Condenser (SDC) is generally used for fast sounds. The sound of SDC, is usually trapped from the front. An example of this is Shure SM81. 

http://homerecording.about.com/od/microphones101/a/mic_types.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPjUB-KQ3_Q

Polar Patterns

Polar Patterns 

Polar Patterns show how the sound is being picked up by the different types of microphones.

Cardioid Polar Pattern

Cardioid Patterns: These show a lot of sensitivity in front of the mic and low sensitivity at the back.

Super cardioid Polar Pattern

Super cardioid Patterns: These depict microphones picking up signals from a single sound. They are mostly used in noisy areas.

Omnidirectional: These are the type of microphones in which sounds come equally in all the directions and the sensitivity at all the angles is equal. 

Bidirectional Polar Patterns

Bidiractional: This is a type of microphone in which the figure is likely to be a figure of eight if one can see the pattern which is invisible. This is also likely to be a Large Diaphragm Microphone. The sound of this microphone only obtains sound from in front and also from the back. 

http://www.shure.eu/support_download/educational_content/microphones-basics/microphone_polar_patterns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MMHi8bQVv0

Microphones

Microphones

As a general rule microphones should be positioned in a proper way so that for example the singer, actor or any person who is on the stage, would be heard well.  There could be also background noise of the preamp itself. Microphones should always be connected with preamp. Clipping is an example in which the sound can be destroyed. If we adjust the gain higher, there could be clipping or distortion in which there will be background noise of the system itself. Therefore the signal has to be higher than the noise.

Every place has its own acoustic as it depends on how many space in that particular room there is. Acoustics is for example audience are clapping and there will be the reflection of sound, this is called reverberation. Acoustics can easily change the quality of the sound. Professional Microphones always need an XLR cable.

There are many types of microphones. Some types of mics are:

• Lavalier mics;
• Handheld mics;
• Shotgun microphones;
• Boom Mics;
• Parabolic mics;
• Earset head worn microphones;
• Wireless microphones;
• Ribbon microphones

Lavalier Microphones:

Lavalier Microphone

These types of microphones can be attached to a shirt, to a pocket and even to a belt. These mics are mostly used in theatre and television. These mics are not handheld. These mics are easily covered with fabric, hence blending very well with the costumes. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavalier_microphone7

Handheld Microphone

Handheld Microphones: 

This is a type of microphone in which one would need to hold while talking. This is commonly used in singing or television interviews. However, when one uses this type of mic it is important to monitor the quality of sound that it is projecting. The distance between the mic and the person using it is very important. Also, the mic should be shielded from wind on a windy day.
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/microphones/hand-held.html

Shotgun Microphones:

Shotgun Microphone

A shotgun microphone is a type of mic in which one has to place it directly in front of the person who is talking so that one could record in a proper way. This type of mic cannot take sound from its sides and its back. It is commonly used in lectures and meetings.

http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/What-is-a-shotgun-microphone

Boom Microphones:

A Boom microphone can be called a boom pole. This is an overhead mic. It is commonly used for films and TV studios. Boom mics can be moved freely. It is essential to note the distance between the mic and the actor. Boom Mics are made up with sticks and a microphone at the end of it. This microphone picks up sound mostly from the front and so the actors would be hared more if they stay in front
of the mic and so this can be called a directional mic. However, this mic also picks up sound from the back, left and right.

http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/microphones/boom.html

Parabolic Microphone

Parabolic Microphones:

These are used when sounds are low for recording so one should use this type of microphone. These can be also used for high distances. These are used to record wildlife and outdoor games.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabolic_microphone


Earset Headworn Microphones:

Earset Headworn Microphone

An example of Earset Headworn Microphones is Shure MX 153. These types of mics are usually used by actors, singers and musicians. As a mic this is very comfortable for one to use. These mics come in different colours. They have good sound quality.These mics are also adjustable.

http://www.shure.eu/products/microphones/mx153/wireless

Wireless Microphones:

Wireless Microphones

Wireless Microphones can also be called Radio Microphones. These types of microphones are very comfortable because they are wireless. This type of microphone has a battery that powers signals to a receiver. It is important to check the batteries that operate these microphones before usage. They are commonly used in television, entertainment or public interviewing. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_microphone

Ribbon Microphones:

Ribbon Microphone

These types of microphones were invented early in the 1920's. These mics are used for theatres or loud rock music. They pick up sound from the sides, equally. This is called bidirectional. This type of microphone is a dynamic mic. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribbon_microphone



All the above microphones are very much used, nowadays. Every mic has its own special use, it depends on what kind of purpose one wants to be used for. 
For example, the Lavalier mic is very effective to use on stage. This is because, one can camouflage the mic in fabric and so the mic will not be seen by the audience. This mic is comfortable when compared with a handheld mic as one would have to hold it, even though it is good to use on stage. 
A Shotgun Microphone, is generally used when addressing an audience and not on stage.
A Parabolic Microphone is not ideal to use on stage as the sound would need to be natural and transmitted from a distance.
Earset Headworn and Wireless microphones are also as good as Lavalier mics to be used on stage.
Ribbon mics are not usually used on stage, except for speeches.

Pop filters

An example of Pop Filter is the Shure Ps-6 Popper Stopper. This is usually used for recording and production. The Pop filters can be clamped with the microphone stands. 

Introduction To Sound Technologies

Sound & Audio

In this blog I will be speaking about the various available sound technologies. Sound technology is rapidly being developed. There is a huge difference between the sound technologies of nowadays and for example of ten years ago.

Some sound technologies include:

• Microphones;
• Portable Recorders;
• Monitoring Systems;
• Headphones;
• Audio Connectors;
• Digital Audio Workstations,(DAW);
• Safe Work Practices for Performance.