CMU School of Drama


Friday, November 29, 2013

AV: The Role Of Critical Distance In Overall Microphone Placement

Pro Sound Web: A microphone is the first component in any speech recording or transmission system. Its function is to convert acoustic sound waves into an equivalent electrical signal. This signal can then be recorded, transmitted, amplified, or modified. However, a microphone cannot effectively sort out desired sound (direct speech) from undesired reverberation (reflected speech). Also, a microphone cannot improve the acoustic environment in which it is placed.

2 comments:

Luke Foco said...

This is an interesting concept that could be very useful in studio recording. I would be interested to see if it would be applicable to micing of live instruments within a theatrical context. I think in our industry figuring out the critical distance would be most useful in live recording mic placement in Opera. I like the simple method of testing that the article brings. Many small theatres can do what is described here where many articles mention pieces of technology that are price prohibitive for a small regional theatre.

Mike Vultaggio said...

This article answers two questions very useful to the novice live sound engineer. Critical Distance is something that effects every venue that one might record a gig and need to find the Dc of a room. Similarly to what Luke said I think that this testing method would be better for a smaller theatre that may not have the budget for other more accurate methods of finding Dc. I also think that this method of live recording is very useful and certainly helped me learn a bit more about successful live recording.