Transcript BTEC Music Technology - to my world . by dANIEL STEEL.

V-Cert Music Technology
Microphone techniques in Music
UNIT 9
YOU WILL: Be working independently to research and complete this task – Zero teacher input.
1.1 - 1.3 = Independent research (Complete the PowerPoint).
1.4
= Practical task (Complete the PowerPoint).
1.5
= Independent research (Complete the PowerPoint).
1.6
= Questioning (Complete the PowerPoint).
NAME: Daniel Steel
UNIT 9: Marking
Criteria
Pass
Merit
Distinction
1.1 Describe the key properties
of commonly used microphones
in music/sound production
Candidates describe the key properties of
commonly used microphones in
music/sound production
Candidates provide a detailed description
of the key properties of commonly used
microphones in music/sound production
using appropriate technical terminology
Candidates demonstrate critical judgement
in their exploration of key properties in a
wide range of microphones
1.2 Describe the factors affecting
the choice of microphone with
regard to typical sound sources
Candidates describe the factors affecting
the choice of microphone with regard to
typical sound sources
Candidates provide a detailed description
of the factors affecting the choice of
microphone with regard to typical sound
sources, giving examples appropriate to
the given context
Candidates explore and evaluate a wide
range of factors and choices of microphone
appropriate to a variety of contexts
1.3 Select appropriate
microphones for specified sound
sources
Candidates select appropriate
microphones for specified sound sources
Candidates demonstrate critical
understanding of their selection of the
appropriate microphone for a specific
sound source
Candidates explore a wide range of
microphones and demonstrate critical
judgement in their choice
1.4 Position microphones
appropriately for good-quality
recordings of typical sound
sources
Candidates position microphones
appropriately for good-quality recordings of
typical sound sources
Candidates demonstrate critical
understanding of the positioning of
microphones based on artistic and
technical criteria
Candidates position microphones with
insight, reflection and experimentation,
based on meeting given artistic and
technical criteria
1.5 Connect microphones to
appropriate audio amplification
or recording equipment
Candidates connect microphones to
appropriate audio amplification or
recording equipment
No Merit
No Distinction
1.6 Assess sound quality and
microphone set-up
Candidates assess sound quality and
microphone set-up
Candidates demonstrate critical
understanding of sound quality and
microphone set-up
Candidates demonstrate critical judgement
in assessing sound quality and explore a
range of methods in setting up
microphones
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.1 Describe the key properties of commonly used microphones in music/sound production
TASK: Complete the table below – You may use more than one page and expand with pictures.
Key Properties
Condenser Microphone
Dynamic Microphone
Polar Patterns / Directional
response in Microphones
Definition & Instrument Use
Advantages
Disadvantages
the man who made it is
/David_Edward_Hughes
They have the advantage that they can
withstand very high sound pressure levels
(high volume) without damage or distortion,
and tend to provide a richer, more intense
sound than other types.
There is a wide range of choices
available when you are looking to get
a microphone.
Condenser microphones are
typically found in the
studio. The element is
made up of a thin film
coated with a conductive
material such as silver or
gold which is suspended
over a polarized (powered)
back plate.
Designed with a cardioid pickup pattern for
isolation and feedback control, the i5 is
equipped with a VLM™ diaphragm for natural,
accurate sound reproduction.
xzIt the most common microphone
used to day
A microphone is an electronic
device used to capture
sounds. There are multiple
types of microphones, each
specifically designed for a
certain usage environment.
the microphone pikes up the sound from
the front
Many of us do the vast majority
Some microphones pick up
of our recordings using micas with sound equally from all
a cardioid polar pattern.
directions, others pick up
sound only from one
direction or a particular
combination of directions.
Microphones with this Figure of Eight polar
pattern are typically ribbon or Large
Diaphragm Microphones.
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.1Key
Describe
the key properties
in music/sound production
Properties
Definitionof&commonly
Instrument used
Use microphones
Advantages
Disadvantages
TASK: Complete the table below – You may use more than one page and expand with pictures.
Microphones with Phantom
Power
Phantom powering consists of a
phantom circuit where direct current is
applied equally through the two signal
lines of a balanced audio connector (in
modern equipment, usually an XLR
connector)
Proximity effect of
Microphones
The collection of extraneous noise. This
can be a concern, especially in amplified
performances, where audio feedback can
be a significant problem
Frequency response of
microphones
these are the most common generalpurpose microphones. They do not require
power to operate. If you have a microphone
that is used for live performance, it is
probably a dynamic mick.
Although it might sound as though
you might be able to summon the
musical powers of the ancients
through flicking this switch, the truth
is slightly more mundane, but no
less useful (though I must confess, I
have no experience of calling on the
un-dead to help in my musical work
A ready (and common) example of
proximity effect can be observed
with cardioid dynamic vocal
microphones (though it is not
limited to this class of microphone)
when the vocalist is very close to or
even touching the mick with their
lips. The effect is heard as a
'fattening up' of the voice.
All audible frequencies (20 Hz – 20
kHz) have the same output level.
This is most suitable for applications
where the sound source has to be
reproduced without changing or
“coloring” the original sound, e.g.
for recording.
he amount of mythology that
surrounds Phantom Power is
staggering. mostly the
problem is that people don’t
have to understand anything
about electronics making lots
of the information the stuff of
magic.
Proximity effect is a change
in the frequency response of
a microphone, having a
directional pickup pattern,
that produces an emphasis on
lower frequencies.
A microphone is an example
of a transducer, a device that
changes information from one
form to another. Sound
information exists as patterns
of air pressure; the
microphone changes this
information into patterns of
electric current.
Operate a digital audio workstation
You will be recording 2 of these
SOLO SINGER
KICK DRUM
GROUP OF SINGERS
SNARE DRUM
AMPLIFER
DRUM KIT
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.2 Describe the factors affecting the choice of microphone with regard to typical sound sources
Sound source
How will a Microphone
Frequency
Input signal
Actor
Group of singers
Amplifier (Gtr / Keys)
Kick Drum
Snare drum
make life harder for the
performer / Audience
(Low / High frequencies or a
mixture)
(will the volume remain the
same?)
In stand-up comedy, the feedback of
the audience is instant and crucial for
the comedian's act. Audiences expect a
stand-up comic to provide a steady
stream of laughs, and a performer is
always under pressure to deliver
Voice acting, singing vocals,
narration… just about any flavour of
recorded human voice can benefit
from signal processing.
Frequency modulation is used in
radio, telemetry, radar, seismic
prospecting, and monitoring newborns for seizures via EEG
Just like Analog mixers, Digital mixers
digitally process input audio signals and
adjust their volume and tone. Various
kinds of tone controls that would be
impossible using analog processes can
be applied using digital processing.
Wave interference is the
phenomenon that occurs when two
waves meet while traveling along
the same medium.
Stage monitor systems are
speakers on stage pointing
towards the performers to help
them hear themselves
in our line of work, we see many
common problems arising at live gigs
The theory of evolution says that
the longer something has been
evolving the more complex it tends
to get, and this is certainly true of
the electric guitar, which has been
evolving for over half a century
The first thing most novice mixers
do when approaching a duff kick
track is to reach for the EQ, and
nine times out of ten they do the
wrong thing with it
Ideally, the mike should be
mounted on a stand, as a fixed
location gives you more scope for
dealing with feedback problems
in a small venue, you only need to add
a small amount of drums, , if any, to
the system, as the kit can be clearly
heard already — often, it would help to
be able to do the opposite and reduce
the level!
Most musical instruments are
relatively straightforward to record in
isolation, but the drum kit is actually an
ensemble of instruments, and so can
present more of a challenge.
Tune-Bot enables you to accurately
tune your drums to a specific notes or
frequencies and once
you know the notes or frequencies you
want, you can quickly tune and retune
your drums. This
tuning guide will help you determine
the notes and frequencies to use for
your specific drum set
although the techniques for
amplifying drums over a sound
system are similar to those that an
engineer would use in the studio,
there is one key difference: in the
studio
For the past two months, we've
been discussing the science and
synthesis of bass drums, so it is
almost inevitable that we're now
going to move onto the snare
drum.
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.3 Select appropriate microphones for specified sound sources
TASK:
Choose a Microphone forThe
each
sound source
Sound source
best Mic
Why this mic?
Solo singer
Microphones are used in many applications
such as telephones.
because it the one there is
group singers user The vocal microphone
Because it is has a cover so u do
have a eco from the back in there
because the will bring a eco in
the sound
The Shure SM57 is a low-impedance,
unidirectional, dynamic microphone made
by Shure Incorporated and commonly
used in live sound reinforcement and
studio recording.
because it is good for recording a
amp
because the sound will sound
ward
Audio Technical AE2500, this mice has
two separate outputs for its dynamic and
capacitor elements
because it will get the sound and recording
it will
It will sound like is bin kick to
Meany times
Group of singers
Amplifier (Gtr / Keys)
Kick Drum
Snare drum
What other Mics did you
consider and why did you
not use them
Shure SM 57LC, ideal dynamic mica
for snare, toms, electric guitar and
many more applications, definitely
an all-rounder Thurman with a
good frequency response for clean
instrumental recording.
because it good for recording
I could find enter the will record
good
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.4 Position microphones appropriately for good-quality recordings of typical sound sources
TASK 1:
What 2 sources are you going to record? Delete appropriately
SOURCE 1
SOURCE 2
TASK 2:
SOLO SINGER
SCHOOL CHOIR
AMPLIFER
SNARE DRUM
DRUM KIT
SOLO SINGER
SCHOOL CHOIR
AMPLIFER
SNARE DRUM
DRUM KIT
Head to the studio and set up the mics ready to record. TAKE PHOTOS!!!
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.5 Connect microphones to appropriate audio amplification or recording equipment
TASK: Add arrows to connect the microphone to the amp
Dynamic
Mic
XLR
Lead
Powered amplifier
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.5 Connect microphones to appropriate audio amplification or recording equipment
TASK: Add arrows to connect the microphone to the mixer
Condenser
Mic
Mixer with phantom power
XLR
Lead
QUESTION: What needs to be on to power this mic
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Operate a digital audio workstation
1.5 Connect microphones to appropriate audio amplification or recording equipment
TASK: Add arrows to connect the Wireless Mic to the amp
Wireless Mic
Front
Wireless Mic
Back
XLR Lead
Powered amplifier
QUESTION: What is meant by Matching the mic channels between Mic & Unit?
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Operate a digital audio workstation
1.6 Assess sound quality and microphone set-up
SOUND QUALITY
QUESTION: What is a pop shield? When should we use one and why?
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…...
QUESTION: What is ‘Spill’ or sometimes called ‘Bleed’ and why is it an important factor with Microphones?
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QUESTION: Explain Microphone sound compared with source sound
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Operate a digital audio workstation
1.6 Assess sound quality and microphone set-up
SOUND QUALITY
QUESTION: Research how to best prevent wind when recording outside.
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QUESTION: Use the options on the mixer (right) to explain the following
Frequency balance: ………………………………………………………………………………
Distortion: ………………………………………………………………………………
Operate a digital audio workstation
1.6 Assess sound quality and microphone set-up
MICROPHONE SET-UP
QUESTION: What are Boom stands?
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QUESTION: When completing 1.4 did you carry out any checks to ensure cables were fully working?
CHECK 1:
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CHECK 2:
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For positioning of stands please refer to 1.4
UNIT 1: TEACHER FEEDBACK
Set up and operate a digital audio workstation
Name:………………………....................................
Unit
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Positive
Tutor:………………
Improvements
Current grade
UNIT 1: QUESTION & ANSWER
Set up and operate a digital audio workstation
Candidate Name
Candidate Signature
Assessor Name
Assessor Signature
Question
Response
Assessment Criteria
Date