Radio recording

The essentials

A radio programme travels from the studio, where sound is recorded and mixed, to a transmitter, which sends it as radio waves, to the listener's receiver. Inside the studio, a chain of equipment captures, controls and checks the sound.

Key points

• Microphone: converts sound waves into electrical signals.
• Types of microphone by working: dynamic (sturdy, good for field reporting and loud sources), condenser (sensitive, needs power, good for studio voice and music) and ribbon.
• Pick-up patterns: omnidirectional (picks up sound from all sides), unidirectional or cardioid (mainly from the front) and bidirectional (front and back, useful for two-person interviews).
• Mixer (console): combines and controls the levels of signals from several microphones and sources such as music.
• Amplifier: strengthens weak electrical signals.
• Speakers (loudspeakers) and headphones: convert electrical signals back into sound so that producers can monitor it.
• Recorder and editing software: store and edit audio digitally.
• Transmitter and antenna: send the signal over the air as AM or FM waves.
• Studios are soundproofed to keep out noise and echo.

Exam tips

Remember the direction of conversion: a microphone changes sound to electrical signal; a speaker changes electrical signal back to sound.

Common mistakes

A mixer does not strengthen signals by itself; that is the amplifier's job. The mixer blends and balances inputs.