The world of microphones

This week, I was introduced to the world of microphones, and quickly realised how complex (and expensive) it can be.

Coming from a classical background, I haven’t had much experience with basic music tech like amps, cords, or microphones. I definitely felt a bit out of my depth at the start of the session. Luckily, James explained everything clearly and made it all feel more manageable. We looked at different types of microphones and their uses, which helped me understand how they work in different settings.

I was especially surprised to learn about the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones. Before this, I honestly thought there was just one standard type of microphone that you could adjust depending on what it was connected to. I’ve used dynamic microphones before, like the ones you see at school assemblies or in rock band rehearsals. But condenser microphones were new to me, and I learned that they’re much better for things like podcasts because they pick up more detail.

As someone who wants to become a music educator, this session really made me think. I want all students to feel included and supported, no matter what kind of music they’re into. That means learning more about music technology, so I can be there for contemporary students as well as classical ones. At the moment, I wouldn’t feel confident helping a student set up for a gig or record something at home, and I want to change that. If I want to be the best teacher I can be, I need to become more confident with the tools that matter to my students. This means I need to do further research into equipment like microphones, so I can help my students as much as possible, as even after today's lesson, I still feel a bit out of my depth.

We also explored Soundtrap’s podcast feature, which I found really fun. Podcasts seem to be everywhere now, and it was great to have a go at creating one with my group. You can listen to our recording below. I started thinking about how students in Year 11 or 12 could use podcasting as a study tool. For example, they could record themselves reading their notes or explaining a topic, like a summary of family law for Legal Studies. Listening back to these recordings could help them remember content, and they could even share them with friends. This kind of task would be great for learning and would also build communication and presentation skills. I think Soundtrap's podcast feature is something schools should encourage students to use more often.