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Painting with a Hammer - How to Select a Microphone

Painting with a Hammer: How to Select a Microphone for Recording
by Jason Johnston

So you want to record audio and you are smart enough to know that you need a microphone. But you ask yourself, "With So many options, how do I select the right microphone?" You'll want to select the right tool for the job - just like construction: No one paints with a hammer. Maybe I've been watching too many politicians over the last couple of months, but I'm going to answer your question with three questions: What do you want to record? Where do you want to record it? What is your budget?

What do you want to record?

In a broad sweep, engineers tend to use dynamic microphones on louder sound sources, like close micing of drums and guitar cabinets, and condenser microphones on quieter sound sources that need more attention to detail like voices, strings and pianos or on more distant micing, like a room mic, a stereo choir recording or drum overheads. Here are a few typical applications and microphones used:

Source	Usual Type	Our Budget Picks	Our Higher Priced Picks
Vocals	Large diaphragm condenser microphone, usually with the cardioid polar pattern.	M-Audio Luna or Solaris, if you want multiple patterns and the Sputnik if you would like the warmer sound of a tube microphone	The new AKG C214 or the top end AKG 414, if you want multiple patterns.
Drums	Typically a host of dynamic mics plus two condenser mics for overheads	One of the Drum Mic Kits are probably the best bet - good selection and quality for the price and then add a condenser pair like the M-Audio Pulsar II	We like to mix and match in our studio: current picks - Kick: Audio Technica ATM250 - Snare Top: AKG D5 - Overheads: Se Electronics SE 3 pair
Acoustic Guitar	Usually a combo of a large and small diaphragm condenser mics	A combo of the M-Audio Pulsar single and the M-Audio Solaris is nice.	Small diaphragm we like the Se Electronics SE 3 single and for large we like the AKG 414

(These are just typical examples - in the end use what sounds good! )

Where do you want to record it?

In a live concert situation, one would typically using dynamic mics, close to their sound sources to avoid picking up background noises, the main speakers or monitors and other instruments (in a multitracking situation). In a more controlled studio room, you have the luxury of using condenser microphones that are more sensitive and will pick up nuances of the source, like a vocal.

What is your budget?

You've heard it said, "You pay for what you get." This is essentially true. Although you may find a few exceptions, a lower price microphone will typically yield less dynamic range (the width of frequency it will pick up), less detail (the clarity of those frequencies) and higher self-noise (the internal noise that every microphone creates to varying degrees). Spending a little more money will gain you the opposite. I say this is "essentially" true because there is also the law of diminishing returns involved. Once you break the $900-$1000 level on a microphone, it will take a lot more money to get noticeable results.

Pick and Pick Again

There is one word we use a lot around the store and studio: "Typically." These mics are just typical suggestions, but in the end you need to use your ears and imagination to get your desired results. Don't be stuck in the idea that "I must have this mic" or this "this mic always works for such and such." Focus on the principals rather than a cookie cutter solution. Use your head and what you have on hand until you can afford more. Because there is another saying we have: You can never own too many microphones!

Jason Johnston is the leader of the Revolution, musician and part-time professor of Music Technology at Sheridan Arts College.

ATH-ANC7 Noise Canceling Headphones Review

Review of the ATH-ANC7 Noise Canceling headphones
I may never fly without them again!
by Jason Johnston

I decided to test the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones on a recent flight flight. I like to travel as light as possible, especially if I have to make connections, but decided to take the protective carrying case as well in my laptop bag since it was not that much bigger than the headphones themselves and was extremely light. (click here for more technical info on the ATH-ANC7's)

Once we were at cruising altitude, I decided to try the headphones first with my MP3 player. Right away I noticed how light they were on my head, the adjustments were easy and the earpieces nicely angled for comfort and fit. I decided to try them passively first (without turning on the active noise cancellation) and found that they cut out quite a bit of noise without even being turned on. But on the downside, I found the volume level output to be on the low side compared to my earbuds. But this, and my whole flying world, changed the second I turned them on. In one word... "Wow." It was like the entire full flight and the engine all hushed in silence as soon as I flipped the switch. The volume level as well immediately increased and I was able to turn down my MP3 player, I'm sure in part to all the outside noise it was competing with before.

The music was clear and reminded me of other top non-noise canceling headphones in it's class. I found the detail of the sound to be quite good, the higher frequencies clear but soft and the bass not too pronounced. If you like the exaggerated bass sound of cheaper headphones, the ANC7's are probably not for you. But I found the listening experience with Rock, Acoustic, Bluegrass, Folk all to be remarkable. I didn't test them on classical, but from the strings I heard in other mixes I expect it would sound great.

The ANC7's also come with some handy accessories like a 1/8 to 1/4 converter and an airplane audio adapter which saved me $3 and let me test it out on the inflight action movie. The bass was smooth, the dialog was clear and it was an enjoyable listening experience.

To wrap up, you can buy a simple pair of noise canceling headphones for less money. But if you want great noise canceling and excellent sound I would recommend the ATH-ANC7 headphones.

Find the best price for the ATH-ANC7 headphones here online