32
votes
Why can't we leave all mics on during a gig?
Well, every mic you toss into the mix also adds more ambience, a bit of feedback from PA and monitors, and will pick up sounds that aren't really supposed to be heard at all, like breathing. Now, this ...
- 34.9k
16
votes
Accepted
What type of microphone is this?
It's not a microphone; it's directional antenna for wireless microphone systems. See http://www.shure.com/americas/products/accessories/wireless-systems/wireless-systems-antennas for details.
- 2,659
14
votes
What is the difference between high impedance and low impedance microphones?
The simplest difference to grasp is 'intended use'.
In one sentence, professional vs consumer.
High impedance mics are cheap & cheerful, designed to plug straight into computer headset sockets. ...
- 25.3k
13
votes
Why can't we leave all mics on during a gig?
Never understood why any mic needs to be live when not in use. Every mic I use on a gig will be equipped with an on/off switch, and it's expected to be used. My own vox mic is only ever on when I sing....
- 184k
12
votes
Accepted
Can you use XLR "microphone cables" to connect an RME AD converter to studio monitors?
"Microphone" cables are suitable for all balanced, analog audio signals that use XLR connectors, whether they are mic level or line level. So yes, you can use these cables with the "...
- 53.7k
12
votes
How can I connect my condenser microphone to my PC using a Saffire PRO 24?
The Rode needs phantom.
The Saffire can supply phantom, on XLR.
Nothing is built to run phantom along a TS/TRS jack, because the chances of shorting the socket or accidentally sending it to something ...
- 25.3k
10
votes
Accepted
Why are condenser mics so much more expensive than dynamics?
I think your question is sort of backwards. The cheapest condenser mics are very inexpensive. Electret condenser designs are used for small and cheap headset mics, phone mics, and PC/laptop mics.
I ...
- 53.7k
9
votes
Why does my mono microphone have a three-pin plug?
XLR is designed to carry a "balanced" signal. Pin 1 is ground, Pin 2 is "in phase" or "+" and Pin 3 is "out of phase" or "-". See for example http://www.clarkwire.com/pinoutxlrbalanced.htm
The reason ...
- 1,750
8
votes
Accepted
How much would cable quality affect the audio quality coming from a microphone to a laptop?
Audio cables - don't believe the hype!
I'd say the difference between a $2 cable & a $25 cable would be completely & utterly undetectable.
Your laptop's DACs will lose more than the cable ever ...
- 25.3k
8
votes
Best mic position for micing upright piano?
Micing upright pianos is hard because of the limited space available. The usual way is to take the panels off and use a stereo micing technique with some distance. But that won't work on a live stage, ...
- 550
7
votes
Accepted
Microphone pick up patterns for live performance - advantages/disadvantages of cardioid, supercardioid or hypercardioid?
I see in the comments that you are already familiar with the polar patterns. For the readers that don't know them, here they are:
Polar pattern: A microphone's directionality or polar pattern ...
- 16k
7
votes
Accepted
Can phantom power pass through a compressor?
The short answer is no, and don't do that. :-)
Your mixer contains a very important component, which is the mic preamp. The compressor wants to use line-level signal as input and output. Even if you ...
- 34.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Do contemporary singers sound “wrong” without a microphone?
The proximity of a mic to a singer will have a profound difference in the sound captured. Good vocalists use this phenomenon a lot - you'll see someone holding a mic at various distances from the ...
- 184k
7
votes
Why are most microphones XLR and not USB?
Simple answer: because microphones are analog and USB is digital.
The only way you can make a "USB microphone" is to build an analog-to-digital converter into it. Of course you can buy the electronic ...
- 71
7
votes
Why are most microphones XLR and not USB?
A USB microphone is essentially a microphone, preamp, and audio interface in one. They're convenient when you're recording or streaming with a single microphone that can be placed within a short ...
- 22k
7
votes
Accepted
Health Issues at Open Mics
As you can't clean the mic capsule itself, or any integral pop-shield…
One 'mickey mouse nose' foam pop shield per user, which can be sanitised afterwards. Alcohol wipes for the mic body, between ...
- 25.3k
6
votes
Do I need Phantom Power?
3.5mm mic jacks might (sometimes supported by a jumper or different sound card setting) provide "plugin power". It can power electret condenser capsules with the typical single-FET preamplifier and ...
- 61
6
votes
Accepted
Should I buy an Audio Interface for USB microphone?
Should I buy an audio interface to support my AT2020USB mic? Is it
necessary to buy it...
If you keep the existing microphone, than no. The primary purpose of an audio interface is to convert an ...
- 20.4k
6
votes
Why can't we leave all mics on during a gig?
In principle, I agree with him. If you don't need a channel, mute it.
In practise though, I would disagree here. It sounds very much like he's heard that principle but hasn't yet got the experience ...
- 4,742
6
votes
Accepted
How do they get guitars to sound so great on tv?
The first hint is that they both sound like an 'electro-acoustic' [especially the second one] with an internal piezo-type pickup & the second is you can see the cable out to what is probably a ...
- 25.3k
6
votes
Saxophone mute - or mic
People often think the sound of a saxophone comes all out of the bell, but a large part of it comes from the tone holes, particularly for the higher notes. Aiming a mic directly at the bell gives you ...
- 16.8k
6
votes
How can I connect my condenser microphone to my PC using a Saffire PRO 24?
Yes it’s true that a 1/4" input will not provide phantom power. We want it this way because phantom power on 1/4" cables is dangerous for the power supply and devices. A 1/4" connector ...
- 53.7k
5
votes
Accepted
How to take care of a microphone?
In general, Dynamic Mics are the most durable. That is why they are so popular for stage use. There are some electrical soldier joints inside (connected to the diaphragm) that could potentially come ...
- 27k
5
votes
Accepted
Zoom H6 - Record electric guitar with pedals
The H6 offers Mic and Line inputs. If your effects chain ends up at Line level you can connect it directly. If it ends up at "guitar" level, you'll need to run it through something that makes it ...
- 85.4k
5
votes
My USB microphone creates so much white noise in Fl Studio while recording vocals; why?
If your characterization of "white noise" is somewhat accurate, you are out of luck. You can get various bits of noise from unstable power supply and inverters for step-up DC/DC converters and ground ...
- 51
5
votes
Accepted
Getting used to singing into a mic
I'm a sound guy. And I make it a point to educate singers about the acoustics of your projected voice.
It is pretty simple: Think of it as like a bubble that you are blowing out of your mouth. ...
- 225
5
votes
Accepted
Solving volume drop when using impedance matching transformer
The problem you are looking at is that the 1/4" jack input is set for Line Level, and the Mic is producing the lower Mic level. The Impedance transformer is merely adjusting the impedance levels to ...
- 7,341
5
votes
Accepted
Doubt regarding Frequency Response & Polar Pattern
The -10dB shown in the second image of the polar pattern is a rather generous 'average' of some sort. This pattern is typical for a super-cardioid mic & it will display similar characteristics at ...
- 25.3k
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