PoducateMe: Practical Solutions for Podcasting in Education
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Sennheiser ew112G2 Evolution G2 Wireless lavalier mic rig.
Microphone Specifications
There are several specifications to consider when evaluating a microphone. Because you
might not be able to audition the mic prior to purchase, you should look to these specs as
a guideline to help you judge the relative quality of the product. Some microphone specs
can belie their actual sound quality (for better or worse) and specs may not be fully
comparable from one manufacturer to another. Furthermore, a mic that sounds sublime
on one voice may come across as lackluster on another. Microphone placement, as well
as environmental conditions, such as room size and layout, will also have an effect on
your recordings. Therefore, look to some of the more noteworthy specs listed below only
as a guideline to help you make an informed purchasing decision
Frequency Response
Frequency response is usually provided as a range in Hertz, such as 30Hz to 15kHz.
This means that the microphone captures from 30Hz to 15kHz of the audible
spectrum, which is generally accepted as about 20Hz to 20kHz for a young and
healthy human ear. A microphone with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz is
said to have extended frequency response and can presumably capture everything
from the highest highs to the lowest lows of the spectrum. However, these numbers
alone don’t tell the whole story.
Many microphones are designed to boost or attenuate (lessen) various frequencies
within the range of frequency response. This is done to highlight or diminish certain
characteristics of various instruments or recording situations. For vocals, most people
prefer a lift at around 3-4 kHz that tops out somewhere between 6 and 7kHz for a
crisp, articulate sound. In addition, a mild bass boost at about 5 Hz is sometimes
introduced to bring added “warmth” to vocals.
Because the human voice is capable of generating sounds that range from a low of
100Hz to a high of 12kHz, frequencies outside of this range are often gently “rolled-
off” or, more dramatically, “cut-off.” This helps diminish the pickup of unwanted
background noise, such as low-level rumble from a passing truck or noise from an air
conditioning system.
