PoducateMe: Practical Solutions for Podcasting in Education
3
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Tip, Ring, Sleeve (TRS)
................................................................................30
Balanced and Unbalanced Connections
.........................................................30
RCA (phono plug).....................................................................................................31
XLR
.........................................................................................................................31
USB and FireWire/IEEE 1394....................................................................................31
Optical Digital Audio (S/PDIF)....................................................................................33
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
.................................................................33
Adapters
..................................................................................................................33
Choosing a Microphone......................................................................................................34
Dynamic Microphones...............................................................................................34
Condenser Microphones
...........................................................................................34
Directionality.............................................................................................................35
Cardioid
.......................................................................................................35
Supercardioid
...............................................................................................35
Hypercardioid
...............................................................................................36
Omnidirectional
............................................................................................36
Bidirectional
.................................................................................................37
Hybrids
........................................................................................................37
Lavalier Microphones................................................................................................38
Microphone Specifications.........................................................................................39
Frequency Response....................................................................................39
The Frequency Response Curve
...................................................................40
Sensitivity.....................................................................................................41
Equivalent Noise Level (Self-Noise, Noise Floor)
............................................41
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N or SNR)................................................................42
Impedance
...................................................................................................42
Microphone Accessories
...........................................................................................42
Mic Stands
...................................................................................................42
Shock Mounts
..............................................................................................42
Pop Filters and Wind Screens........................................................................43
Cables
.........................................................................................................43
Connecting a Microphone to Your Computer
.....................................................................44
Audio Interfaces........................................................................................................45
ExpressCard
................................................................................................46
Interface Specifications
.................................................................................48
Sample Rate and Bit Depth
...........................................................................49
Onboard DSP...............................................................................................50
Zero-Latency Monitoring
...............................................................................50
Outboard Mixers.......................................................................................................51
