Helpful Tip: For the Love o' Mics: Understanding Microphones Part 3

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by Douglas Henderson for Dr. Analog

Tip: How to Be a Tool

Dynamic microphones use exactly the same principle as a loudspeaker--just in reverse. In fact, you can use a speaker as an oddball microphone. Simply hook up the speaker terminals to a mic cable and plug it into a mixer input. Rumor has it that producer Sylvia Massey got that huge kick-drum sound for Tool's drummer by duct taping an 18" woofer to the front of the kick and sending it straight into the console. Having seen her work, I believe it! These are the kind of games you have to play to get unique sounds, and it can be a hell of a lot of fun.

Copyright ©2000 Douglas B. Henderson

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