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Re: Mic Terminology

Subject: Re: Mic Terminology
From: D & m <>
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 21:15:02 +0800
Thanks for the replies
There is a lot of discussion on what makes a good mic. for recording in 
the environment. Regardless what you are recording on or what you 
subject is there would be certain criteria that separates a good mic 
from a average one. Some of these are mentioned regularly eg it is 
desirable for the self noise to be below  20dB but this just one aspect 
of it.
I have a mic that is used on a video camera. Its Specs are 
Unidirectional, Frequency response 70- 16 000 but you for get anything 
below 700Hz. Output Impedency 600ohms, Sensitivity -68dB and its noisy. 
To assist in the poor sensitivity I use a umbrella for a reflector which 
many strange looks have come my way. I record on a minidisk mostly birds 
which I have to get close as possible to.  Then I didn't know what I was 
getting but I had to start some where. I'm a little wiser now but there 
is a lot of things that still hazy.

Thanks for you patients David

Rob Danielson wrote:

> At 11:33 AM +0800 2/13/05, D & m wrote:
> >Im one those  who Walter  refers in a previous thread
> >
> >"It could be very easy for this group to become nothing but technical
> >discussions. But that would not be very attractive to new folks to
> >nature recording. We need to get them hooked before we drop the ton of
> >technological bricks on them. You can record well without understanding
> >the terminology, though it's easier if you do understand the
> >implications of that stuff."
> >
> >Even after followering to the group for several months now I still
> >having a lot of trouble appreciating what is a good mic and how that
> >relates to the dollar sign. From recent messages I'm not the only one.
> >Some of this is terminology and unfortunitly I can not access the link
> >on the groups home page which may help. Then there are varous
> >specifacations one reads for example self noise, is very important but
> >the difference between a mic with 25dB and 40dB are still figures.
> >Something that I could relate to is how much closer am I going to get to
> >that bird for the same recording. The some for self noise (how much
> >extra hiss I'm going to hear in the background with an extra 10dB ) and
> >there is sound to noise ratio. Other specifications such as output
> >Impedance  and Dynamic Range are just figures.
> >
> >I have looked at a number of sites that has a general advise on tools
> >and methods.  Also there have been a number of references on what makes
> >a good mic in this group but there is hell a lot of messages to read to
> >get a grasp of it all. I'm asking the impossible, can there be a set of
> >guidelines amongst the group that would make an ideal mic, one that
> >would do the job and those that will disappoint you for individual calls
> >vs ambiance recordings. There is no need to mention specific makes of
> >mics or other additions such as barriers as one needs to get a grasp of
> >the basics befor being side tracked down another path. Some one could
> >explain in practical terms what the varies specifications are. This
> >maybe a useful reference for the home page.
> >David
> >
>
> Sorry about your frustrations, David. Keep asking. It helps if you
> further describe the micing "jobs" you have in mind, the equipment
> you currently own (or are considering) and, as Walter said, the
> applications you have in mind for your recordings. Rob D.
>
>
>
>
> "Microphones are not ears,
> Loudspeakers are not birds,
> A listening room is not nature."
> Klas Strandberg
>
>
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