Transient and Frequency Response

By Lorenzo Canadilla and Jackson Beveridge

Frequency Response

• The way a microphone responds to certain frequencies. It is the tendency of all mics to exaggerate certain frequencies and reduce others.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLC4gpglZZU

Frequency Response Curve

• This is the measure of the mic’s output over the audible frequency range

• Gives insight into how a mic will react at certain frequencies

Microphone preference

• Condenser mics usually have a flatter frequency response curve for they are more concerned with all the little sounds in a recording.

Types of Microphones

• Certain mics are created to emphasize the high, middle and low range and some respond equally to all.

• Tailored FR mics are those that favor a certain range of frequencies. For example their output in decibels could be higher for a 200 hertz frequency than for a 500 hertz frequency.

• Flat FR mics are those that respond equally to all frequencies.

Transient Response

• The measure of how quickly a microphone’s diaphragm can respond to changes in waveform

• The change in wave form refers to the transient, which you may remember is the high amplitude short duration sound at the beginning of a wave form.

• This can lead to a range of differences in the resulting sound between microphones, specifically when it comes to percussive instruments.

Microphones That Directly Relate to Transient Response

• Dynamic mics have very large diaphrams and heavy cores which make it slow when reacting to waveform. This gives it a rugged, lagging sound.

• Ribbon mics on the other hand have a lighter and smaller diaphragm that allows for faster reaction to waveform. They would be more ideal to record percussion.

Dynamic Vs. Ribbon

Why do we care?

• To know what type of mics to record certain aspects of a musical composition with.

• To increase the control of the waves we have to work with

• Also to have basic understanding of how his equipment works