From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Explaining microphone controls

Explaining microphone controls

From the course: Audio Recording Techniques

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Explaining microphone controls

Microphones can have a number of built-in control parameters that allow you to adjust some of mics' response characteristics. While Dynamic and Ribbon microphones may be limited to only a single roll-off filter control, if that, Condenser mics may have a few more. Let's take a closer look at the most commonly found microphone parameter controls. Because microphones can sometimes capture low frequency sounds, like nearby truck rumble or machinery noise that add nothing desirable to the audio you're recording, a roll-off filter is frequently added to help eliminate the problem. The roll-off point can be anywhere from 40 to 100 Hz. And more often than not, 60 Hz is selected. The C414 shown here varies from that a little, and that its roll-off points are at 75 and 150. Many Condenser microphones have much more output than Dynamic or Ribbon mics to begin with, but when coupled with loud sound source like a snare drum, the output can be so hot that it overloads the microphone preamp that…

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