Audio Engineering 101: Microphones for Beginners from Udemy

In this quick course, you'll learn about the different microphone types and the different situations each type is best in. You'll also learn about different audio recorders and sound treatment concepts that you can apply to enhance your recording experience.

This course is for beginners who don't have any prior knowledge of microphones and the audio engineering world. It's also for those who are curious about the different types of microphones and recorders.

Note that this course will primarily serve as an overview of the equipment I mention and will not be an extensive tutorial on how to use any specific piece of equipment.

Lessons will include topics on:

Dynamic Microphones
Large Diaphragm Condenser Mics
Small Diaphragm Condenser Mics
Shotgun Mics
Camera-Mounted Mics
Lavalier/Lapel Mics
Boundary Mics
Stereo Mics
Mic Technique for each type
Audio Recorders: Interfaces, Mixers, & Field Recorders
Recording Tips
Sound Treatment Concepts & Tips

Most people that enter the microphone world with no knowledge simply buy a popular microphone like the Blue Yeti microphone. This class project intends on helping you break that trend by asking you 3 crucial questions:

Which type of microphone fits your situation the best?
How can you optimize your specific recording space?
Which recording device fits your situation the best?

Each lesson is designed to help you answer these 3 questions in order. The bulk of the lessons will be for question #1. The last few lessons will help you answer questions 2 and 3.

After answering all 3 questions, record a before and after of your audio. The class project worksheet contains an organized layout of the answers if you need more guidance.

By the end of the course, you will learn everything you need to optimize your audio recording experience.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn about the different types of microphones
Know which microphones are best for different situations

Optimize your environment for the best sound
Learn about different audio recorders and which is best for you

Learn about the different types of microphones
Know which microphones are best for different situations
Optimize your environment for the best sound
Learn about different audio recorders and which is best for you

Syllabus

Introduction

Learn about which microphone is best for your situation.

Choosing the Right Microphone

The Dynamic Microphone

Dynamic Microphone Technique

The Large Diaphragm Condenser

Boom Microphones

Camera Mounted Microphones

Lavalier/Lapel Microphones

Special Types of Microphones

Learn how to approach sound treatment and about the different types of audio recorders

How to Approach Sound Treatment

Choosing the Right Recording Device

Using Your Recording Device

Zoom F6 Rundown

My Desk Set Up

Record ANY Microphone into your iPhone or iPad

Conclusion

Conclusion & Summary

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides an overview of microphone types, which is helpful for beginners looking to understand the basics of audio recording

Covers microphone techniques for each type, which is useful for improving recording quality and achieving desired sound

Explores sound treatment concepts and tips, which can help learners optimize their recording environment and reduce unwanted noise

Includes a class project that encourages learners to apply what they've learned and optimize their audio recording setup

Serves primarily as an overview of equipment, so learners seeking in-depth tutorials on specific gear may need additional resources

Teaches how to record microphones into an iPhone or iPad, which may be useful for learners who want to record on the go

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Audio Engineering 101: Microphones for Beginners with these activities:

Review Basic Acoustics

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Reviewing basic acoustics will provide a solid foundation for understanding microphone principles and sound treatment techniques discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Acoustics

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Read articles or watch videos explaining sound waves and their properties.
Practice identifying different frequencies and amplitudes.
Review the decibel scale and its applications in audio.

Read 'Home Recording for Musicians For Dummies'

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a practical introduction to home recording techniques.

View Home Recording For Dummies on Amazon

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Read the chapters on microphone selection and placement.
Experiment with different microphone positions based on the book's recommendations.
Practice recording audio samples in your home studio.

Read 'The Microphone Book'

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Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of microphone technology and recording techniques.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Read the chapters relevant to the microphone types covered in the course.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Experiment with different microphone techniques based on the book's recommendations.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Record a Before-and-After Audio Sample

Show steps

Starting a project to record audio before and after applying sound treatment techniques will help solidify understanding of the course material.

Show steps

Record a short audio sample in your untreated recording space.
Apply sound treatment techniques learned in the course.
Record the same audio sample in your treated space.
Compare the two recordings and analyze the differences.

Follow Tutorials on Specific Audio Recorders

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Following tutorials on specific audio recorders will help you learn how to use them effectively.

Show steps

Identify the audio recorder you plan to use.
Search for online tutorials and documentation for that recorder.
Follow the tutorials to learn the recorder's features and functions.
Practice using the recorder to record audio samples.

Create a Microphone Comparison Video

Show steps

Creating a video comparing different microphone types will reinforce understanding of their characteristics and applications.

Show steps

Select several different microphone types to compare.
Record audio samples using each microphone in the same environment.
Edit the audio samples and create a video showcasing the differences.
Explain the characteristics of each microphone and its ideal applications.

Experiment with Microphone Polar Patterns

Show steps

Practicing with different microphone polar patterns will improve your understanding of how they affect sound capture.

Show steps

Obtain a microphone with switchable polar patterns.
Record the same sound source using different polar patterns (cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8).
Compare the recordings and analyze the differences in sound capture.

Career center

Learners who complete Audio Engineering 101: Microphones for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Podcast Producer

A podcast producer is responsible for the overall sound quality of a podcast, and this course is a great starting point for understanding the technical aspects of audio production. The course explores various microphone types such as dynamic, large diaphragm condenser, and lavalier, which are commonly used in podcasting. Learning about different recording devices, sound treatment concepts, and how to optimize a recording environment will help a podcast producer ensure a high quality listening experience for their audience. Anyone seeking to produce engaging podcasts will find that this background in audio engineering and microphone technique is essential to creating the best possible final product.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcast Producer

Audio Editor

Audio editors manipulate and refine sound recordings to create a polished final product, and this course provides a solid foundation in the core principles of audio capture. The curriculum includes lessons on various microphones, such as shotgun mics and stereo mics, all of which an audio editor may encounter. Furthermore, the course introduces different audio recorders, sound treatment, and recording techniques which are necessary for working with raw audio to achieve professional sound quality. This course will be especially helpful to anyone looking to begin editing audio for podcasts, music, film, or other media. They will learn how to set themselves up for success at the recording stage, which always makes the editing process easier.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Editor

Sound Designer

A sound designer creates or selects the auditory elements of a film, game, or other media, and this course will teach them the equipment used to capture high quality sounds. The course's focus on specific microphone types, including camera-mounted and boundary microphones, makes it highly relevant to the role of a sound designer. The course also covers recording devices and optimal sound treatment, which are key to producing professional-quality recordings. For anyone interested in designing sound for films, video games, or other projects, this course helps them begin their journey of capturing sound at the source.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Field Audio Recordist

Field audio recordists capture sound outside of a studio setting, and the lessons in this course provide a solid starting point for this line of work. The course covers the use of shotgun, stereo, and lavalier microphones, all commonly used by field recordists. This course also introduces the kinds of audio recorders that are typically used when recording on location, including field recorders, interfaces, and mixers. Anyone hoping to enter the field of on-location audio recording will find that the fundamentals of microphone selection, sound treatment, and recording devices taught in this course are essential to their craft.

See salaries and explore the career path for Field Audio Recordist

Voiceover Artist

A voiceover artist needs a detailed understanding of microphones and recording techniques, and this course provides that foundation. The course reviews dynamic and condenser mics, which are widely used in voiceover work, as well as sound treatment and audio recorders. A voiceover artist who understands the nuances of recording equipment and how to optimize their recording environment will benefit in their quest to produce high-quality, professional recordings. This course may be particularly useful for aspiring voiceover artists who want to improve and enhance their results through a better technical understanding of audio recording.

See salaries and explore the career path for Voiceover Artist

Content Creator

Content creators, especially those producing video or audio, must capture high quality sound, and this course may be useful to achieve that goal. It discusses numerous microphone types, including camera-mounted mics and lavalier mics, as well as recording devices and sound treatment concepts. This course can be highly beneficial for content creators who want to create professional content that is both high quality and engaging. A content creator who understands recording will benefit from the principles taught in this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Audio Technician

Audio technicians work with various audio equipment and often need to set up microphones and recording systems and this course may be a good place to learn about microphones. This course covers essential topics including dynamic, condenser, and other microphones as well as audio recorders and techniques for sound treatment. Since audio technicians are often involved in recording, mixing, and mastering audio, this course provides an introduction to the equipment involved in recording. Those looking to begin a career as an audio technician may find this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Technician

Broadcast Engineer

Broadcast engineers work with sound equipment, especially microphones, which makes this course potentially useful. The course reviews different microphone types such as condenser and dynamic microphones, and it covers essential signal processing techniques. This course also reviews various audio recorders, including interfaces and mixers, all of which may be part of a broadcast engineer's day to day. A broadcast engineer should have deep knowledge of sound capture, and this course may help one to approach that goal.

See salaries and explore the career path for Broadcast Engineer

Music Producer

A music producer oversees the recording and production of music, and this course may be useful for a music producer. The course focuses on microphone types, recording devices, and sound treatment, all essential for recording music. The course introduces concepts such as how to optimize a recording environment, which is essential to any music producer. Anyone looking to improve their technical knowledge of recording will find the information in this course worth considering. The course may help a music producer to improve the audio quality of their projects

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Live Sound Engineer

Live sound engineers manage audio during live performances, and this course may be useful in teaching them the basics of microphones. This course reviews fundamental principles of microphone types, recording devices, and sound treatment, all of which may be useful to anyone setting up a sound system for a live performance. Anyone working in live audio may be interested in the knowledge of microphone selection that this course provides, including common types such as dynamic microphones and condenser microphones.

See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Engineer

Video Editor

Video editors often need to work with audio and may find this course useful for improving the audio quality of their projects. This course covers microphone types, including camera mounted and lavalier mics, and discusses recording devices and sound treatment. Understanding the basics of audio recording may be helpful for a video editor, who may need to refine sound in order to create quality projects. This course may be especially useful for those who are tasked with the job of both video and audio editing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Editor

Educator

Educators, especially those creating online courses or presentations, may find it useful to understand the fundamentals of audio recording that this course covers. This course reviews microphone types, audio recorders, and sound treatment concepts. The ability to record high quality audio for an educational project is essential for any educator looking to engage their audience. Educators may find this course helpful for improving their audio production skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Lecturer

Lecturers often use microphones in their teaching, and this course may be useful for enhancing their understanding of audio equipment. The course reviews different microphone types, audio recorders, and sound treatment concepts. Lecturers may find the information in this course helpful as they strive to engage their students with high quality sound. The course may be particularly useful for a lecturer who teaches in a hybrid or online environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lecturer

Musician

Musicians often need to record themselves or others, and this course may be useful to them. The curriculum explores various microphone types, audio recorders, and sound treatment techniques, all of which are essential for capturing high quality sounds. Musicians interested in home recording or producing their own music may find the technical information in this course to be valuable. This course may help a musician better understand the technical aspect of recording sound for their music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Musician

Acoustic Consultant

Acoustic consultants need a basic understanding of sound capture, and this course may be helpful in that regard. The course covers different types of microphones, audio recorders, and sound treatment principles, all of which are related to the work of an acoustic consultant. An acoustic consultant may find this course valuable as they seek to broaden their knowledge of sound. This course may provide a glimpse into the equipment that helps to capture sound, which is related to the work of an acoustic consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustic Consultant

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Audio Engineering 101: Microphones for Beginners.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Provides a comprehensive overview of microphone technology, including detailed explanations of different microphone types, polar patterns, and recording techniques. It serves as an excellent reference for understanding the technical aspects of microphones covered in the course. The book is commonly used by audio engineering students and professionals. It adds depth to the course by providing detailed technical specifications and practical applications.

Putting Knowledge to Work

Paperback

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Putting Knowledge to Work

Kindle Edition

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Home Recording For Dummies

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Provides a beginner-friendly introduction to home recording techniques, including microphone selection, placement, and basic sound treatment. It valuable resource for those new to audio engineering and home recording. While not as technically detailed as some other books, it offers practical advice and easy-to-understand explanations. It is more valuable as additional reading for beginners.

Home Recording For Dummies

Paperback

Audio Engineering 101

Microphones for Beginners

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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