[ale] OT: Where can I learn about microphones?

[James Sumners]

Well, a mic generally isn't going to pick up clear sound from a
distance. Indeed, most low cost mics aren't going to be sensitive
enough to pick up everyone's voice when you are using relatively few
mics in such a large space. Notice that Blue doesn't even give a
sensitivity rating for the Snowball on the specs page[1]. This mic is
very clearly designed for up-close desktop applications. The Yeti Pro,
however, has a sensitivity rating of 4.5mV/Pa[2]. Using [3], we can
assume that the Yeti Pro will pickup sounds that are about -46dB (or
-66dB if using the "USA" calculator). But who knows what the Snowball
will pickup.

You might find [4] to have some helpful information as well.

[1] -- http://www.bluemic.com/snowball/#/specs/
[2] -- http://www.bluemic.com/yetipro/#/specs/
[3] -- http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-transferfactor.htm
[4] -- http://artsites.ucsc.edu/EMS/music/tech_background/TE-20/teces_20.html

On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 16:04, Richard Bronosky <Richard at bronosky.com> wrote:
> We have several of the Blue Snowball mics and they aren't good for
> more than 4 feet of pickup. It is the shortcomings of the Blue
> microphones that has started this whole exploration. One of the rooms
> we use is about 60ft x 40ft.
>
> On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 3:08 PM, James Sumners <james.sumners at gmail.com> wrote:
>> http://www.soundonsound.com/search?url=%2Fsearch&Section=7&Subject=35&Summary=Yes
>>
>> Since you said you want analog mics, you basically just need to look
>> for XLR mics. You could also pick up a mic that does both XLR and USB;
>> I'm going to be get getting one of these at some point --
>> http://www.bluemic.com/yetipro/
>>
>> On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 14:51, Richard Bronosky <Richard at bronosky.com> wrote:
>>> I need to learn about microphones so that I can build some
>>> teleconferencing kits. We have about a dozen different USB mics and
>>> they all suck. Every meeting is full of complaints that the remote
>>> attendees can't hear. I want analog mics and a mixing board. Probably
>>> a USB digitizer. (I _might_ consider a USB mixing board if it is very
>>> _very_ excellent.)
>>>
>>> I want to consider many options:
>>> 1. single condensor mics
>>> 2. multiple condensor mics
>>> 3. stationary directional mics
>>> 4. human operated directional mics
>>> 5. robotic directional mic or mics - either voice tracking or IR baton
>>> tracking (I may have to build that one)
>>> 6. several lavalier mics
>>> 7. any other voodoo
>>>
>>> --
>>> .!# RichardBronosky #!.
>>
>>
>> --
>> James Sumners
>> http://james.roomfullofmirrors.com/
>>
>> "All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts
>> pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it
>> is magnetic to the corruptible. Such people have a tendency to become
>> drunk on violence, a condition to which they are quickly addicted."
>>
>> Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV (decto)
>> CH:D 59
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>
>
> --
> .!# RichardBronosky #!.
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-- 
James Sumners
http://james.roomfullofmirrors.com/

"All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts
pathological personalities. It is not that power corrupts but that it
is magnetic to the corruptible. Such people have a tendency to become
drunk on violence, a condition to which they are quickly addicted."

Missionaria Protectiva, Text QIV (decto)
CH:D 59