How the larger diaphragm affects the transducing of the sound depends on the source of the sound.

If the sound is coming from a small source, like a finger cymbal, it's emanating with rather tight directional waves, if it is coming from a larger source, like the top of an upright bass, it sends out larger, flatter waves. Think of a finger cymbal dropping into a still pool of water, then think of an upright bass doing the same. The basses waves will criss cross and create complex patterns, where the cymbal will move out in tight concentric circles.

Now, as those waves reach the diaphragm, the tighter waves will actually reach different parts of the surface of a large diaphragm at different times. Think of the waves from the pond reaching a shoreline as the large diaphragm, or a small post in the water as the small diaphragm.

The diaphragm, whether large or small, still vibrates pretty much all at once, so the more complex patterns will lose some nuance on the larger surface...the "edginess" distorts a little...it sounds warmer. The smaller surface may only pick up certain aspects of the complex pattern, it can get "ring-ey" or "tight" sounding.

Generally, larger diaphragms are better on voices...more complex vibrations. Smaller diaphragms are better on tight vibrations...snares, cymbals, and so on. But, there are always exceptions, and don't forget...we're still dealing with "taste" and there's no accounting for taste.

Also there's the bounce effect within the mic itself. Dual capsule mics have a short bounce from the diapghragm of the rear capsule that tames down the proximity effect a little and makes close micing sound a little more "transparent" while maintaining warmth without "boominess."

Here's a trick, if you want to mic a voice close and it's getting a little boomy, turn the mic so the diaphragm is pointing more to the singer's ear than directly toward their lips. Keep the windscreen on so they don't see it or they'll always try to move around to sing "direct on" to it.

You could study this stuff for years and still never catch a fish in that pond.

All the Best,
Mike

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You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

[This message has been edited by Mike Dunbar (edited 12-12-2006).]

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music