For this task, we had to use two different sources of sound recorders – a Zoom Microphone Sound Recorder and a Phone – and record ambience of both inside noise and outside noise on each. I have now listened to all four recordings and evaluated the similarities and differences between the sound recorders.
Firstly, we began by recording some inside ambience in E113. We positioned ourselves and the microphones at the back of the room. Surrounding us was an Electronics Cabinet, Students, two Air Conditioning Fans and Computers. We started by using the Zoom Microphone and ensured that our levels were correct. Before starting to record, we made sure that the levels on the microphone were reaching somewhere between -12 and -6. After doing this, we pressed record and recorded the ambience for around 10 seconds. The recording on this microphone picked up various sounds in the room. The most prominent sound was the students talking in the background. This is the sound that is the loudest and would be most focussed on. However, there are also other noises underlying this sound. The microphone also recorded the sound of the Air Conditioning Fans blowing out air and the slight hum of the Electronics Cabinet.
After recording the indoor ambience on the zoom microphone, we then used a phone to record in the same place, with exactly the same surrounding subjects. Interestingly, the phone picked up the same sounds as the microphone, yet at different volumes. After listening and comparing both recordings, it is clear that the sound of people talking on the phone recording is a lot quieter than on the Zoom Microphone recording. In addition to this, unlike the Zoom recording, the phone recording picks up the noise of the Air Conditioning Fans and Electronics Cabinet at a higher volume. In conclusion, the differences in what sounds were recorded on each recorder would be due to different polar patterns used on each microphone. It is possible that the Zoom Microphone could have a super cardioid polar pattern as it picked up more sound in front of us, (Students Talking and Air Conditioning Fans), than behind us (Electronics Cabinet). Whereas, the phone microphone could have a Bidirectional polar pattern, meaning that the recorder picks up equal sound from both the front of the microphone (Students and Air Conditioning Fans, which we the closest to the microphone out of the two) and behind the microphone (Electronics Cabinet).
After recording the indoor ambience, we then took our equipment to an outside area in a car park. Again, we checked the levels were correct on our Zoom Microphone and that they were reaching between -6 and -12. Surrounding us this time was multiple parked cars, trees, students passing by, and Extractor Fans. We then began to record the outside ambience for around 20 seconds on the Zoom sound recorder. After doing so, we listened to our recording back and it appeared to sound crackled and distorted. We once again checked the levels and concluded that we would try adding the wind protector on top of the microphone. After doing so, we recorded the same ambience a second time. After listening to the recording from the Zoom Microphone, we were able to hear the trees gently swaying in the breeze, the distant sounds of the extractor fans and multiple birds squawking. The most prominent noise in this recording was the trees swaying in the wind; most probably because this ambience acts as a form of white noise. However, this changes towards the end of the recording when the harsh sounds of birds squawking can be heard loudly.
After recording the outdoor ambience on the zoom microphone, we then used the phone to record in the same place, with exactly the same surrounding subjects. Once again, by using the phone, we were able to record different sounds which stood out more than those from the Zoom recorder. On the phone recording, the overall ambience is a lot calmer and quieter, with microphone not picking up the harshness of the wind. Unlike the recording from the Zoom Microphone, it focuses more on the sounds of people talking and birds tweeting. The sounds that were recorded on the phone (students talking and birds tweeting) were closer to us and the microphone than the sounds which were not as prominent (extractor fans and wind). Therefore, the recording range on the phones microphone may not reach as far as the Zoom Microphone. The Zoom Recorder could have a super cardioid polar pattern as the most prominent sounds recorder through this device were in front of us, where the microphone is the most sensitive. Whereas, the phone recorder could have a bidirectional polar pattern, picking up equal sounds of the fans in front of us and the trees behind us. Alternatively, the phone recorder could have a shotgun polar pattern, where the microphone records sound both in front us, behind us, but also slightly to the side of the microphone, where the students were placed.
Overall, I think that by using each microphone recorder in different places, we were able to record different sounds on each which were more prominent than one another. It also allowed us to think about what possible polar patterns each microphone might use.
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