Do you want to be able to capture high-quality audio in any environment? Ambient mic’ing is a great technique to get the most out of your environment and its natural sounds. But what is ambient mocking? And what are ambient microphones?
This post will explain how an ambient microphone works, how to use it, and some important features of a good ambient microphone. So if you’re wondering or are just curious about ambient microphones, this post is for you!
What is an ambient microphone? Ambient microphones are made to be used in environments where the ambient sound is louder than the direct sound.
What is an ambient microphone?
Any microphone designed for ambient settings might be considered an ambient microphone. In ambient mic’ing methods, the microphones are placed far away from the sound sources so that the sound (reflections and reverberations) can be heard more clearly in the mic signal and work best in big, echoing rooms.
The functioning of an ambient microphone is based
on its omnidirectional pickup pattern.
The functioning of an ambient microphone is based on its omnidirectional pickup pattern. It employs a diaphragm or a capsule that vibrates in response to sound waves. This vibration is then converted into an electrical signal by a transducer, typically a condenser or electret element.
Key features of ambient microphones
Here are the key features of an ambient microphone:
- Omnidirectional Pickup Pattern: Ambient microphones have a 360-degree pickup pattern, capturing sound equally from all directions.
- High-sensitivity: An ambient microphone with higher sensitivity is often preferable because the mics will be placed further away from the sound source and thus subjected to lower sound pressure levels. A more sensitive microphone will require less preamp gain to reach line level in the mixing console/DAW.
- Low self-noise: Active microphones have self-noise specs that inform us how much noise is present in their mic signals. Self-noise is primarily created by active electronics in microphones, which add small quantities of noise to the microphone signal. This is significant for ambient microphones because they typically detect low sound pressure levels (the sound intensity drops over distance). To maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio when capturing lower sound pressure levels, we need lower self-noise.
- Environmental Sound Capture: Ambient microphones excel at capturing environmental or background sounds, allowing for the reproduction of the ambient ambiance of a specific location.
- Balanced Audio Capture: They maintain a balanced audio response, ensuring that no specific sound source is emphasized or attenuated.
- Enhanced Depth and Realism: Ambient microphones add depth and realism to audio recordings, making the listener feel like they are present in the recorded environment.
These features collectively contribute to the unique capabilities and advantages of ambient microphones in capturing immersive and lifelike audio.
AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3
AKAI Professional MPK Mini MK3
What makes the best microphone for recording ambient audio?
In general, a condenser microphone is the best choice if you need one with a flat frequency response, high sensitivity, low self-noise, and a polar pattern that picks up sound from all directions. In addition, these active microphones provide a pleasant sound and work well in ambient settings. This is why omnidirectional microphones are often used for ambient recording.
When to use ambient mic’ing techniques
Here are some common applications for ambient mic’ing and ambient microphone techniques.
1. Distant room mics: In a recording studio, ambient microphones are called “room mics.” These microphones are placed far from the original sound sources to record the room’s reverberation.
2. Crowd mics: Audience noise is easily captured using ambient microphones. Instead of picking up certain people’s voices in the crowd more clearly than others, ambient microphones pick up the whole room’s worth of noise.
3. Field ambiance: Mics designed to pick up background noise can be used indoors or outdoors. They may capture the ambiance of a certain space.
4. Reverb channels: When you put ambient microphones and closer microphones on the same sound source, you get a signal with reverberation and a clear signal. As a result, a producer may create impressive results even with just two channels, and more microphones mean more room for experimentation.
If you want even more tips and insights, watch this video called “Audience Mics Made Simple! | MxU NOW” from the MxU YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you still have questions? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about the ambient microphone.
Where should ambient mics be placed for live recording?
For live recordings, The best solution is to position a pair of condenser microphones at the side of the stage aimed at the audience. This method brings the sound source close to the stage, where the performer can experience the full effects of the space’s natural reverb.
What is the ambient microphone used for?
Any microphone designed for ambient environments is technically an ambient microphone (where the diffuse sound is greater than the direct sound). While ambient microphones are typically used to record background noise
Are condenser mics better than dynamic mics for ambient recording?
In general, a condenser microphone is the best choice if you need one with a flat frequency response, high sensitivity, low self-noise, and a polar pattern that picks up sound from all directions.
In addition, these active microphones provide a pleasant sound and work well in ambient settings. This is why omnidirectional microphones are often used in ambient recording.
Conclusion
Ambient microphones play a crucial role in capturing the essence of a soundscape. y embracing the unique features and versatility of ambient microphones, you can unlock a world of immersive audio possibilities and transport your audience to the heart of the sound.
Key takeaways
- Ambient mic’ing is used used to capture the natural sound in a room.
- Any microphone designed for ambient settings might be considered an ambient microphone.
- A condenser microphone is the best choice for ambient mic’ing.
So, do you find ambient microphones effective for noise cancellation? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend, and check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on music production. Thanks for reading, and never stop making music.
