The Microphone Book [Paperback]

John Eargle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240804457 | ISBN-13: 978-0240804453 | Publication Date: July 4, 2001

The Microphone Book provides a fundamental background on how microphones operate. Detailed chapters analyze the different types of microphones including, among others, pressure and pressure gradient microphones; first order directional microphones, high directionality microphones, and wireless microphones. Chapters based on actual recording sessions/studio operations focus on different microphone applications in recording venues such as studio recording, classical recording, news gathering, and more. Surround sound is covered from both a creative and a technical viewpoint.

The Microphone Book takes the reader into the studio or concert hall to see how performers are positioned and how the best microphone array is determined. Problem areas such as reflections, studio leakage and isolation are analyzed from practical viewpoints. Creative solutions to such matters as stereo sound staging, perspective, and balance are also covered in detail. Written by an internationally recognized author and consultant in the recording industry, The Microphone Book draws on the author's long experience with microphone technology and application to offer a comprehensive guide to recording and sound reinforcement engineers at all levels of expertise.

*John Eargle won the 2001 scientific and engineering academy award for the concept, design and engineering of the modern constant-directivity, direct radiator style motion picture loudspeaker systems
*Heavily illustrated with helpful diagrams, charts and equations
*Examines problem areas and offers practical tips and solutions

Editorial Reviews

Review

"this is a fabulous resource that I intend to use professionally and in my classes."

Book Description

The complete illustrated guide to microphone technology --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (July 4, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240804457
• ISBN-13: 978-0240804453
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,480,789 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very complete book, June 12, 2010

By 

Tommy Iversen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Eargle's The Microphone Book, Second Edition: From Mono to Stereo to Surround - A Guide to Microphone Design and Application (Paperback)

This book seems to cover whatever one can think about when it comes to microphones and how they work. The only reason I don't give this book 5 stars is that it's not too easy to use as a reference when in a studio situation, as it is very technical. But if you are thinking about setting up a studio, and need to read up on microphones before setting up your shopping cart, this book is it

1.0 out of 5 stars buy something else - too many mistakes and bad editing, January 11, 2012

By 

whomper "speedball" (virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Microphone Book (Paperback)

.
disappointed in focal. that brand used to ensure high qualty. apparently no mas.
.
this could have been a good book for a high school or a trade school class or
good for home hobbyist to learn the basics of mikes
.
best summary that i have found for the design and construction of mikes
but since have recently found some other mike books that i hope will be as good
probably even better.

info is not adequate to design them ,but enough to understand why the design choices were made.

the mike factoids are summarised with a minimum of useless formula derivation.

the math is minimal, and the physics only alluded to.
.
i would recommend other books for the *use* of mikes and recording.
.
book has too many errors where text and pictures do not agree or are very confusing.

lots of references to see some CD that is not in the index and not included with the book. WTF!!! did the previous edition have a cd that got removed??

too many pictures are confusing and hard to understand even reading with the text slowly.

pictures are too often after teh reference. they should be before they are used or on the same visible pages.
.
i would like more about mikes and less on using mikes.

plenty of books cover the stereo miking techniques better;
as well as recording in general.
.
the book is a little dated.

but a more pertinent complaint is that it is superficial.
indeed, it is not a how to design text, it is an it is what it is
and how does it work tome with no real elaboration beyond the basics.

apparently there is now a 3rd edition that adds surround sound info. i wonder if it now included the CD or deleted those references ??

i would still prefer more about mikes and less on usage which is well covered by many other sources.

there are many excellent surround sound references on the web.
do not buy another book like this for that info.
.
you should know how to use a mike, which mike, and why after reading it.

but you are several graduate acoustic classes away from designing a mike,
andor even modifying one meaningfully as is so popular by some wannabe pro audio folks.
.
for what i got, the *used* price was a bit high. the new price would be totally unacceptable!

i do have several other how to use mike books, and one more about mikes themselves, with detailed info still to read. they cant be worse.

this book did teach me something that i did not know [and i am quite familiar with mikes in general and experienced with using mike and the various techniques for stereo] and was useful so maybe it is worth 1.5 - 2 stars. but the problems with diagrams and non existent references to some unnnamed CD with examples was too much to take today so i give this only 1 star because of the problems.
.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, September 18, 2011

By 

exinocactus - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eargle's The Microphone Book, Second Edition: From Mono to Stereo to Surround - A Guide to Microphone Design and Application (Paperback)

It's a great practical book without much scientific content, however. I find it is quite good to quickly grasp an overview on the topic.