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Q&A Guide Two - The Music Directory
Q&A’s WITH RYAN NOLAN
QUESTION:
I have heard people mention dynamic and condenser microphones. Is there a difference, if so what is it?
ANSWER:
You’ll have to excuse the ‘geek speak’ but to explain the differences properly I’ll have to use it!
A dynamic microphone operates by using electromagnetic induction to generate an output signal. The theory of electromagnetic induction states that whenever an electrically conductive metal cuts across the flux lines of a magnetic field, a current of specific magnitude and direction will be generated within that metal. So basically, (in plain English) when you sing into a microphone the air that comes out pushes a piece of metal and the movement of that inside a magnetic coil produces a signal that goes along the microphone cable and eventually comes out of a speaker. A dynamic mic doesn’t require power. Generally it is less sensitive than a condenser microphone.
A condenser microphone is a little more complex but I’ll try to explain it as simply as possible. The basic principle is that they generate signal by changing capacitance (ability to store electrical charge) within the microphone. Rather than using electromagnetic principles condensers use electrostatic principles. Two thin plates are held inside a capsule in the microphone, one of these is fixed, the other can move. Each of these plates has an opposite electrical charge. When no sound is made these plates do not move and they have a specific capacitance, when sound is made one plate moves and the capacitance of the capsule changes. This sends a signal along the mic cable and eventually comes out of the speakers. Condenser mics require external power. As the distance that the movable plate has to travel to produce a signal is small in comparison to that within a dynamic mic and because the sound doesn’t have to push a ‘heavy’ piece of metal through a magnet it is generally more sensitive.
QUESTION:
What is a compressor?
ANSWER:
A compressor, in effect, can be thought of as an automatic fader. It’s used to proportionately reduce the dynamics of a signal that rises above a user-definable level to a lesser volume range (volume range is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of a particular sound). As you’ve effectively turned the loudest signals down you can boost the whole level of the effected sound in the mix in order that you can hear the quieter parts of the sound that you may not have been able to hear before.
Clearly a compressor is a very useful piece of gear and can be found in almost all software recording packages as standard but can also be bought as a piece of hardware or software by itself. As well as being useful it can also be dangerous, potentially destroying a good ‘take’ when recording; so use with caution. My recommendation is to only use it after the original recording has been made if you want to be on the safe side.If you are thinking about using compression for the first time I’d suggest experimenting by applying it to vocals, bass guitar and, if you can record drums, any part of the drum kit. Twiddling the knobs of the compressor and listening to the results will help you get to grips with what each knob does. Once you’re happy with their function try applying it to a song you have previously recorded but not used compression on and you’ll be blown away!
QUESTION:
I have heard people mention dynamic and condenser microphones. Is there a difference, if so what is it?
ANSWER:
You’ll have to excuse the ‘geek speak’ but to explain the differences properly I’ll have to use it!
A dynamic microphone operates by using electromagnetic induction to generate an output signal. The theory of electromagnetic induction states that whenever an electrically conductive metal cuts across the flux lines of a magnetic field, a current of specific magnitude and direction will be generated within that metal. So basically, (in plain English) when you sing into a microphone the air that comes out pushes a piece of metal and the movement of that inside a magnetic coil produces a signal that goes along the microphone cable and eventually comes out of a speaker. A dynamic mic doesn’t require power. Generally it is less sensitive than a condenser microphone.
A condenser microphone is a little more complex but I’ll try to explain it as simply as possible. The basic principle is that they generate signal by changing capacitance (ability to store electrical charge) within the microphone. Rather than using electromagnetic principles condensers use electrostatic principles. Two thin plates are held inside a capsule in the microphone, one of these is fixed, the other can move. Each of these plates has an opposite electrical charge. When no sound is made these plates do not move and they have a specific capacitance, when sound is made one plate moves and the capacitance of the capsule changes. This sends a signal along the mic cable and eventually comes out of the speakers. Condenser mics require external power. As the distance that the movable plate has to travel to produce a signal is small in comparison to that within a dynamic mic and because the sound doesn’t have to push a ‘heavy’ piece of metal through a magnet it is generally more sensitive.
QUESTION:
What is a compressor?
ANSWER:
A compressor, in effect, can be thought of as an automatic fader. It’s used to proportionately reduce the dynamics of a signal that rises above a user-definable level to a lesser volume range (volume range is the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of a particular sound). As you’ve effectively turned the loudest signals down you can boost the whole level of the effected sound in the mix in order that you can hear the quieter parts of the sound that you may not have been able to hear before.
Clearly a compressor is a very useful piece of gear and can be found in almost all software recording packages as standard but can also be bought as a piece of hardware or software by itself. As well as being useful it can also be dangerous, potentially destroying a good ‘take’ when recording; so use with caution. My recommendation is to only use it after the original recording has been made if you want to be on the safe side.If you are thinking about using compression for the first time I’d suggest experimenting by applying it to vocals, bass guitar and, if you can record drums, any part of the drum kit. Twiddling the knobs of the compressor and listening to the results will help you get to grips with what each knob does. Once you’re happy with their function try applying it to a song you have previously recorded but not used compression on and you’ll be blown away!