Dynamic microphones excel at only picking up the sound that's directly in front of them.
Their cardioid polar pattern makes them a favorite at public talks such as conferences and fundraisers, but do they have any uses for sound design?
Dynamic Microphone Uses
They do! Dynamics mics are great for recording in a noisy environment, for recording loud source material, and for recording in risky situations where a different mic might break. It can be dropped and in high temperatures (within reason), can withstand my cat's headbutts, and has a higher dB SPL limit than other mics. However, they have some drawbacks.
Warnings and Setbacks (With Solutions)
Problem: Recordings sounding dull or flat
Fix: They pick up mid-range frequencies, so it’s not a good choice for very high-pitched or low-pitched sounds. Choose a different mic in this case
Problem: Recordings are too quiet
Fix: A lot of gain without phantom power is required for these, and what you’re recording needs to be really close to the microphone
Problem: Short bursts of air hitting the mic from breaths, wind, etc.
Fix: Called plosives, these pops from wind hitting the mic's diaphragm happen with a lot of mics. Put a pop filter between your source material and the mic.
In Closing
What I use my Sennheiser e935 for the most is still meetings and talks I'm giving. It's next to my audio interface at all times for this reason, and because I like making "rough drafts" of sounds with it.
Since it it is so good at not picking up background noise, sometimes I'll record a new item or my voice for a creature to see if it's worth getting all my official recording equipment ready. I encourage you to experiment with yours!
Comments