ABSTRACT
A microphone is just a pickup element to convert sound pressure into electrical voltages, mounted in a box. The construction of the pickup element determines how it translates pressure into electricity, but only a couple of methods—dynamic and condenser—are appropriate for video production. Lavaliere microphones are often omnis because this design can be made very small. They are close to the actor's mouth, so lavs can rely on the inverse-square law to pick up lots of voice with very little reverb or noise. Full-size omnis are often used in studio recording and as handheld vocal-performance mics, but their major use in video is as handheld, close-up interview mics in very windy exteriors. Turn on a radio, at conversational volume, in an average room of house or office. Stand about three feet away from the radio, and listen to it through the mic. Turn the mic around, so its back is pointing to the radio.
