Nature of Sound Waves

Transverse Waves Longitudinal Waves

Transverse Waves
Frequency One wave cycle per second
Hertz=Hz
High Frequency Many cycles per second
High pitch or treble
Low Frequency Few cycles per second
Low pitch or bass
 Human Hearing Range

Hz 20 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000 20000

 Amplitude
Sound pressure level (SPL)

Decibel Beat (dB)

140 dB SPL

55-65 dB SPL

20-25 dB SPL
 120

100

80

dB
SPL 60

40

20

0 Hz
20 50 100 200 500 1000 2000 4000 10000 20000
3000 5000
How do they work ?

Electrical energy or Electric

Sound signal Microphone
Signal

Sound Electric
Main Parts of Microphone
 Two types of Microphones

Dynamic Microphones Condenser Microphones

• Windscreen • Windscreen
• Diaphragm • Diaphragm
• Coil • Backplate
• Magnet • Battery(or)Phantom Power(+48V)
• Capsule • Body
• Body • Output
• Output
Another types of Microphones

Ribbon Microphones Shotgun Microphones

Shotgun Microphone
Polar Patterns
Condenser microphones
Polar Pattern - (1)
Cardioid (or)
Super-cardioid Hyper-cardioid
Unidirectional
Hyper-cardioid
 Polar Pattern – (2)

1. Figure-of-Eight

2. Figure 8

3. Bi-directional
Bi-directional
 Polar Pattern – (3)

Omni directional
Omini
Omini
Usages of Dynamic
Microphones
• For commonly used
• Noise situation
• Normal frequency response
• Low cost
Usages of Condenser
Microphones
• Quiet places and sound
• High frequency response
• Acoustic Field
 Lesson Summary
: Light waves are an example of a transverse wave.
: Transverse waves transfer energy to the direction in which the wave is traveling.
: Sound waves are an example of longitudinal waves.
: Longitudinal waves transfer energy through the back-and-forth oscillation of particles along the
direction of wave propagation.
: Longitudinal waves consist of compressions and rarefactions.
The height or intensity of a sound wave is called Frequency.
Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
Low frequency is associated with low pitch.
Amplitude determines the loudness of a sound.
Description: The cardioid pattern resembles a heart shape, with the microphone
being most sensitive to sound directly in front (at 0 degrees) and progressively
less sensitive as you move to the sides and rear.

Description: The omni-directional pattern captures sound equally from all

directions, providing a uniform response regardless of the sound source's
position.

Description: The bi-directional pattern captures sound from the front and rear of
the microphone while rejecting sound from the sides.

Description: These patterns are variations of the cardioid pattern with a narrower
field of sensitivity. They have a more pronounced rejection of sound from the
sides and rear.

Description: Some condenser microphones have multiple selectable patterns

(cardioid, omni, figure-8, etc.), allowing users to choose the most appropriate
pattern for different recording scenarios.
Dynamic microphones can handle higher sound pressure levels (SPL) without distortion,
making them suitable for live performances and recording loud sound sources.
This makes them suitable for noisy environments like live stages and outdoor recordings.

Dynamic microphones do not require external power (phantom power) to operate, as they
generate their signal through electromagnetic induction.

Condenser microphones need phantom power (usually 48 volts) to operate, which may
come from an external power supply, audio interface, or mixer.
• What is modulation?
• Modulation refers to the process of using one signal to control or influence another
parameter within the modular synth setup.

• Modulation sources in VCV Rack are typically generated by modules such as Low-
Frequency Oscillators (LFOs), Envelopes, Sequencers, and Random Voltage
Generators.

• These modulation sources can then be connected to various parameters of other

modules to introduce changes over time.
• LFO Modulation • Envelope Modulation

• Pitch • Envelopes can be used to modulate parameters

• Filter cutoff over time

• Amplitude • Opening and closing a filter module

They Create cyclical variations. • Controlling the amplitude of a sound

• Sequencer Modulation

• Provide a structured way

• In a rhythmic or melodic fashion
• To control the evolution of the sound