Microphones FAQ
Superlux provides variety selection of microphones for professionals and amatures. To know your microphone is the first step to successful result.
Type of transducer
Dynamic
Durable and simple structure, operates in all kinds of environments. A good dynamic microphone is capable to operate at very high sound pressure level without distortion. Due to structure limit, dynamics cannot be built as small as condenser, but dynamics doesn require power to operate.
Condenser
Extremely light weight diaphragm, very sensitive to sound. Very small versions available for hiding applications. High performance condenser microphones are regarded as standard equipment of recording studios for extreme detail capturing. Operates with power, such as phantom or battery.
Powering microphone
Condenser microphones work with power. Professional standard is 48VDC phantom power. Some microphones work with lower voltage as low as 1.5VDC, such as battery power model. E101 work with 9 to 48VDC phantom only and 1.5VDC battery. Please make sure your sound system provide adaquate power to the microphone.
About Frequency Response
Flat
Suitable for working at controlled environment, or for acoustic measurements. Although people persuit flatness, but for none-professionals, it is a challenge to makes it works as expectation.
Popular curve response
Based on years of practical experience of pro users. There are curves to be build for various applications, so that it is very simple to use the microphone for the purpose. Limiting bandwidth, and emphasing are typical skill.
Variable response
Incorporating switchable filters to elliminates interference, such as sub-sonic filter to cut air-conditioner and floor vibrations. And allows full flat when used in controlled environment.
Directivity
Cardioid
Picks up most signal on axis. Rejects side and picks up least to the back. Suitable for live sound re-inforcement. Apparent proximity effect and most singer likes to take this bass boost advantages which is not good for speech.
SuperCardioid
Narrower than cardioid pattern. Suitable for multiple microphone setup. Least sensitive angle pointing toward side to rear where most stage monitors are located. Same proximity effect as cardioid microphone.
Figure 8, bi-directional
It is equally sensitive to both ends, and rejects the sides. It is good in a noisy environment because it rejects distant noise and low frequencies. It is also a good choice for stereo recordings, such as Blumlein. It features a typical pressure gradient characteristic.
Omni
With equal sensitivity in all directions, an omni microphone doesn't need to point toward the sound source. It features low handling and wind noise. It is welcomed for news gathering and music recording applications.
Shotgun
Based on interference tube theory, to achieve highest axial signal pick-up and rejects off-axis sound as much as possible. Due to poor wind noise rejection, suitable wind screen shall be used at outdoor.
Distance to source
Close miking or distant miking sound very differently. Vocal recording or live performance practice close miking mostly. Suitable proximity effect is one desired target, and lower feedback problem is another factor for live sound application. While distant miking is common practice for recording, especially stereo pair recording with large group of performers, such as orchestra or choir. Distant miking generally picks up less bass section with pressure gradient type of microphone (cardioid, figure-8, shotgun......) due to acoustic nature and lack of proximity effects. Rich bass with distant miking can be recorded with pressure type of microphone (Omni), which performs the same frequency response with close or distant pick-up.
Mounting the microphone
Pressure gradient microphone is very sensitive to vibration. Suitable shock mount for high performance microphone is necessary for extreme low noise recording. Sturdy stand can set the microphone excatly at the sweet spot and keep it there. Choose heavy duty microphone stand for studio condenser microphone which weights much more than handle microphone. Superlux provides wide range of microphone stands for various demands. Big Foot Willie is specially developed for large condenser microphones that able to support 2 large microphones with stereo bracket for single point stereo recording. Extension foot on all the 'E' versions serve to mount heavy studio microphone in limit space live sound applications.
Maintainence
Condenser microphone shall be kept in low humidity environment for best sound performance. Store the condenser microphones in airconditioned room or dehumidifier to keep away form moisture. Clean air is another important factor. Keep away from smoking environment to avoid tar residuals.
Vacuum Tube, Valve