Question

For a handheld vocal microphone, you might want to set the input gain for at least

Answer 1

To set the input gain for a handheld vocal microphone, consider microphone sensitivity, voice loudness, and environmental noise. The gain should be such that it captures the voice clearly without distortion. For physics calculations with sound intensity and amplitude, use the proportional relationship between the two.

Step-by-step explanation:

When setting the input gain for a handheld vocal microphone, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, as it can depend on the microphone's sensitivity, the loudness of the person's voice, and the surrounding environmental noise. However, it is important to set the gain high enough to capture the vocal nuances without causing distortion or picking up excessive background noise. For example, if you are in a relatively quiet environment similar to a home with 50 dB of ambient sound, and you want the voice to be significantly louder, you may start with a gain that brings the voice above this level significantly, without exceeding levels where feedback or distortion occur.

Regarding the physics problem about the microphone receiving a pure tone, if the original sound intensity is 2.00 × 10-5 W/m² and the amplitude is increased by 30.0%, the new intensity can be calculated using the relationship between sound intensity and amplitude. Because intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude, increasing the amplitude by 30.0% would increase the intensity by 69% (1.32 = 1.69). Therefore, the new intensity would be 2.00 × 10-5 W/m² × 1.69 = 3.38 × 10-5 W/m².

Answer 2

The input gain setting for a handheld vocal microphone must ensure the vocalist's voice is clearly captured, with the loudest parts of the performance peaking just below distortion levels, balancing signal and ambient noise. This setting depends on various factors including the microphone, environment, and mixer used.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the input gain setting for a handheld vocal microphone and further asks about sound intensity and decibels in various scenarios. In these examples, we relate everyday sound experiences, like the noise level of a jet plane during take-off, to the technical process of adjusting microphone gain and measuring sound intensity in physics.

To answer the practical question about adjusting input gain for a microphone: As a tutor, I would suggest that while some ambient noises are at 10 dB (like running fingers through hair), and a typical home environment might be around 50 dB, the input gain on a microphone should ensure that the vocalist's voice is clear and above any ambient noise.

However, setting the actual gain will depend on the microphone, the environment, and the mixer being used. Professional audio technicians usually set the input gain so that the loudest parts of the performance hit just below the peak level, avoiding distortion and ensuring a good signal-to-noise ratio.

This could often mean setting peak levels to around -6 dBFS on a digital meter, which translates to well above 50 dB in acoustic terms.