Microphones

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Microphones

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• Pied Beauty Assignment

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A good quality microphone for voice recording

• Shure SM58
• Low impedance
• Cardioid pickup

Note Wikipedia has a good article on microphone
types. See http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micropho
neDirectionality
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Specs of the SM58 from the Shure web page

• The Shure SM58 unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic
  vocal microphone is designed for professional
  vocal use in live performance, sound
  reinforcement, and studio recording. A highly
  effective, built-in, spherical filter minimizes
  wind and breath "pop" noise. A cardioid pickup
  pattern isolates the main sound source while
  minimizing unwanted background noise. The SM58
  has a tailored vocal response for a sound which
  is a world standard. Rugged construction, a
  proven shock mount system, and a steel mesh
  grille ensure that even with rough handling, the
  SM58 will perform consistently. Outdoors or
  indoors, singing or speech, the SM58 is the
  overwhelming choice of professionals.

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Specs of the SM58 from the Shure web page

• Legendary Shure vocal mic tuned to accentuate the
  warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals.
  Consistently the first choice of performers
  everywhere.  Cardioid, Dynamic.
• Shure SM58 Frequency response tailored for
  vocals, with brightened midrange and bass rolloff
• Uniform cardioid pickup pattern isolates the main
  sound source and minimizes background noise
• Pneumatic shock-mount system cuts down handling
  noise
• Effective, built-in spherical wind and pop filter
• Supplied with break-resistant stand adapter which
  rotates 180 degrees
• Legendary Shure quality, ruggedness and
  reliability
• Cardioid (unidirectional) dynamic
• Frequency response 50 to 15,000 Hz

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Other inexpensive mics

• You might also use an inexpensive mic like the
  one shown below, described at the Best Buy web
  site.
• Cyber Acoustics Stereo Headset with Removable
  Noise-Canceling Microphone (24.99)

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Specs of the Headset Mic from the Best Buy web
page

• 3-in-1 functionality serves as a PC headset,
  stereo headphones and notebook microphone
• DCNT4 (direct noise-canceling microphone
  technology) for enhanced vocal clarity
• Adjustable headband for added comfort
• Removable boom arm for use with your notebook
  computer
• 30mm dynamic drivers deliver deep bass
• 7' shield cord with 3.5mm gold-plared plugs
• Frequency response 20Hz - 20kHz headset, 100Hz -
  16kHz microphone
• Impedence 32 ohms headset, 2.2 kOhms microphone

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Impedance

• A low impedance mic is generally better.
• High impedance mics dont perform well over
  distances. They get interference and loss of
  high frequencies
• Low impedance is less than 600 O
• Medium impedance is 600-10,000 O
• High impedance is greater then 10,000 O

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Frequency Response

• Check your mics frequency response as well
• Shure SM58 has a frequency response of 50 to
  15,000 Hz
• Headset mic has a frequency response of 100 to
  16,000 Hz

800 Hz
12,000 Hz
15,000 Hz
200 Hz
300 Hz
500 Hz