Microphone Types

General Types by ApplicationInteractive Media Production

Mr. Dizard

Podium & Desktop

• For human voice, not music

• Low sensitivity and/or directional so as to prevent feedback

Lavalier Mics

• “Body worn” or “clip-on”• Originally meant “neck

lanyard”• Often refers to most

miniature mics

Pressure Zone Mics

• Aka PLATE, BARRIER, MOUSE mics

• Consists of sensitive lav mounted above hard reflecting plate or surface

• Hemispherical pattern• May also be pie wedged

Pressure Zone Mics

• Usable film dialog at 3 to 4 feet

• Theatre pickup from floor level (mouse mic)

• Conference table & teleconferencing

• Lavs can be made into giant PZMs

Handheld Performance Mics

• Live vocals• Feedback suppression• Risky to use for live

recording since talent may not use mic all the time to talk to audience

Studio Music Mics

• High quality, large diaphragm, condenser mic

• Very mellow, rich sound for recording

• Too sensitive for on-stage performance

Narration Mics

• For narration & voice-over

• EQ’d for voice rather than music

• May be studio mic or dynamic

TV/Film Production (boom)

• For dialog, not music• Very directional, lots of

reach• Usually deployed

overhead

ENG Mics

• Electret Condenser• ENG = Electronic News

Gathering• Medium grade shotgun

mics, better than dynamic but not as good as condenser

• Also includes most lavs

Surveillance Mics

• REACH, not dialog quality

• Super-shotgun, parabolics, sub-miniature

• Voice quality not important

• Not what is depicted in the movies