Week 6: Microphones and Audio

In class this week, we discussed the various types of microphones. One type is the dynamic microphone; an example of a dynamic microphone is the Shure SM58, which is typical for vocal performers to utilize. Another example is the SM57, which is basically just like the SM58, only without a wind screen. Another type of microphone is the condenser microphone. These are used as recording microphones, usually for recording whole rooms rather than an individual thing. An example of a condenser microphone is the Shure SM81, which is used for live performance recordings.

In order to avoid feedback, you must follow these four steps:
1) Don't point the microphone at the speaker.
2) Keep the microphone pointing at the source of the sound, which is either your mouth or an instrument.
3) Don't hold your hand over the wind screen part of the microphone, or it will do weird things.
4) Keep things at a reasonable volume.