Microphones Assignment

1) Dynamic microphones do not require an external power source, are quite rugged and reliable because of their simple design. This would make a dynamic microphone quite useful during a live show because if a microphone falls off its stand or is accidentally dropped there is only a small chance of it breaking. Since the microphone does not require external power it could avoid any power problems that might happen if you used a microphone that had to use batteries or alternate power sources. Dynamic microphones are also the best at handling loud volumes which makes them useful in a live show because However because of the way they are built they have a low output level and don't have even frequency responses so this could affect the quality of the sound you are receiving during the show.

Condenser microphones are generally much more sensitive, meaning they have higher output levels, and also have a greater high frequency response so therefore in a studio environment you would be able to pick up the instrument or sound that your trying to record much more easily and accurately thanks to the better frequency response. However, they are quite delicate so you have to be much more careful with them, require an external power source and can be quite expensive.

Polar Patterns

2) Omnidirectional (Omni meaning all), Cardioid (heart shape) and bidirectional (figure of eight) are the three main polar patterns used for microphones.

Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all directions equally. Omnidirectional microphones are generally used for such things as recording ambient noise, sounds coming from multiple locations at once or record moving sound while keeping the microphone placement the same.

This is a basic diagram of a omnidirectional microphone. It shows the position of the microphone and where it picks up sound the best.

Cardioid, or unidirectional, microphones capture sound from mainly one direction that the microphone is facing in but also capture some sound from the sides. Cardioid microphones are mainly used to capture a single, specific and focused sound with some natural ambiance or reverb. Cardioid microphones are usually the most common type of microphones because of the many ways you could use them.

This is a simple diagram of a cardioid microphone. The lines show from which direction the microphone picks up sound from. In this diagram we can see that this cardioid microphone picks up sound from mainly the front but also some side ambiance and reverb.

Bidirectional microphone capture sound from two sources and are generally used to capture a one to one interview or conversation.

This diagram shows how a bidirectional microphone picks up sound.

3) Dynamic microphones are generally built with a coil going around a magnetic rod covered by the diaphragm. When sound is picked up the coil vibrates with the magnet and makes an electrical current that carries the audio signal.
They are sturdy, reliable and least expensive. This makes this type of microphone most useful for general use such as simple vocal recordings or live sound performances since they last long and can take some accidental damage.