Theme: Multimedia Sound ProductionUFCFY5-30-1 Studio Equipment for Multimedia Sound Production

Theme: Multimedia Sound ProductionUFCFY5-30-1

Studio Equipment forMultimedia Sound Production

Theme : Multimedia Sound ProductionMultimedia Studio UFCFY5-30-1

Studio Production Equipment

Microphones Monitor Speakers Headphones Audio Mixing Devices (Hardware and ‘Virtual’) Studio Facility and Acoustic Material


Microphones


Microphones


Microphones

Microphones Types: Dynamic or Condenser Omni-directional Uni-directional


Microphones: Dynamic

Two examples of dynamic microphones manufactured by Shure


Dynamic Microphones

Versatile and ideal for general-purpose use. Use a simple design with few moving parts. Sturdy and resilient to rough handling. Better suited to handling high volume levels, such as

from certain musical instruments or amplifiers. No internal amplifier and do not require batteries or

external power.


Microphones: Condenser

Example of a condenser microphone manufactured by Behringer


Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones require power from a battery or external source (Phantom Power).

Audio signal is stronger signal than that from a dynamic. More sensitive and responsive than dynamics Good for capturing subtle nuances in a sound Typically used for recording vocals in a studio setting


Condenser microphone shown in anti-vibration cradle


Microphones: Directional

Omni Cardioid Hypercardioid Bi

Some microphones provide for adjustable directional qualities - e.g. video cameras


Microphones: Pop Filter

Pop filters reduce the effect of vocals which produce breathe sounds

from some words as ‘pops’ into the microphone


Microphones: Pop Filter


Monitor Speakers


Monitors Speakers and Connectivity


Genolec Monitor Speakers


Monitor Speakers

Room acoustics very important Reference or ‘monitor’ speakers - tell it like it is’ i.e. give no

coloration from hardware eq. Speakers ar either ‘nearfield’ or ‘farfieild’

Nearfield are designed to sit near the listener at ear level or slightly above allowing listening without too much additional room sound

Farfield speakers are much bigger and more powerful speakers designed to be driven at higher volumes and to sit some way or behind the mixing desk.

Headphones - can be accurate way to monitor sound quality - but speakers considered best sound monitoring device


Headphones


Monitor Headphones (closed-back)

Closed-back design gives much less ambienceto wearer and thus moreacoustic isolation.Typically heavierthan open-back design.


Monitor Headphones (open- back)

Open-back design gives sense of external ambienceto wearer and less acoustic isolation.

Typically lighter than open-back design.

Not recommended for voice-overrecordings as headphone audio may‘spill’ into microphone vocal recording.


Audio Mixers


Audio Mixer


Audio Mixer

Top View


Audio Mixer has

several identical

Channel strips


Mixer Channel Strip - Inputs and Various Controls

XLR e.g Microphone

Line e.g GuitarAuxiliary e.g Hardware

Effects Unit

Inputs

Sensitivity (Gain) Adjustment

Equalization i.e. Bass Midrange Treble

Effects Available on Mixer

Channel Groups, Mute and Solo switches

Volume


Pro Tools Mixer


Pro Tools Mix Window and Effects Inserts


Combination of Studio Audio Equipment

Reason ‘Virtual’ Mixer


Combination of Studio Audio Equipment


Typical Studio Layout

Live Room Control Room

DAW

Mixing Desk

Monitors

Performance Area

e.g. instruments

and digital devices

e.g synthesizers


Vocal Recording

Live Room Control Room

DAW

Mixing Desk

Monitors

Vocal Booth


Acoustic ConsiderationsThe acoustic characteristics of a room can be detrimental to recording quality. Acoustic panels are used to absorb standing waves and other echoes.

Standing waves are created between two parallel facing walls. There will be a set of frequencies that are reinforced by the distance between the walls causing pressure fronts to accumulate.

Absorption material has a dispersive affect on the sound wave - the materials surface would be angular - as show in picture at the top right.

Surface reflections


Typical Studio Equipment

Computer and DAW Audio Interface (if required) Mixing Desk Microphones and related accessories Monitor Speakers of a particular Type Acoustic Considerations - absorption and

dispersion material Instruments e.g. keyboard / piano


References

References

Microphones: http://www.behringer.com , http://www.shure.comSpeakers: http://www.genelec.com , http://www.behringer.comHeadphones: http://www.beyerdynamic.deAudio Mixers: http://www.behringer.com MIDI Keyboards and Audio Interfaces http://www.m-audio.com

Documents

Theme: Multimedia Sound ProductionUFCFY5-30-1 Studio Equipment for Multimedia Sound Production