Microphones

Shotgun Microphone

A shotgun mic is an elongated small diaphragm condenser microphone that is usually mounted either on the camera or held close to the audio source using a boom pole or microphone stand.

  • These mics are great for pinpointing the exact audio you want without the problem of audio interference from surrounding ambient noise. The mic can be manually held using a boom pole or attached to a boom stand.
  • They have a lobar pattern of sound pickup – meaning that their reach extends in front of the microphone in a kind of oval shape while extruding sound to the sides and rear.
  • They are the main cardioid microphone used by film crews because of their versatility – being able to capture everything from an interview to the noise of a crowd, or the ambiance of a forest for example. Shotgun microphones are designed to be robust and durable, also to be weatherproof.

Handheld microphones

These are typically what you see local TV reporters using. These are also usually used on stage.

Lapel Mics

These are tiny little mics, also referred to as lavalier microphones, that clip to someone’s shirt or tie and are usually used in a sit-down interview situation. These are great for capturing consistent audio levels as the microphone does not move around like a handheld mic.

Different types of microphones use different ways to capture sound.

  • Condenser Microphones pick up sound waves with the diaphragm of the microphone and then convert them to an electrical signal by varying the resistance to a charged capsule.
  • Dynamic Microphones use air pressure to convert sound waves into electrical signals by moving a coil inside a magnetic field.
  • Ribbon microphones use a thin strip of metal to capture sound waves.

Ribbon Microphones

 Ribbon microphones are quite rare outside of a professional audio studio setup.

  • A high-quality ribbon mic can capture the most faithful representation of sounds – for example, voices and instruments – but their delicacy and need to be perfectly positioned means that ribbon mics are not suited to live or recording environments where they could be knocked and the ribbon damaged.

Podcasting & Live Streaming Microphones

The explosion in podcasting and live streaming, plus also the huge growth in YouTube channels, means that a large range of USB microphones are now available to serve this market.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic Microphones are typically used when the sound source is quite loud, for example in a live performance, or when it is important to severely reduce ambient noise or loud sounds from the sound that you wish to capture or record. This is why you’ll often find them on music stages, in radio studios, or podcasting or live streaming setups.

  • They generally need to be placed quite close to the sound source but have the advantage that they do not usually require external power.
  • Dynamic microphones have a strong proximity effect (see below), meaning that a voice will have a lot of amplitude and presence when close to the microphone. Making them an ideal vocal microphone.
  • However, they are less prone to distort and overload, compared to condenser microphones. They also can be hand-held, without undue noise.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones are the microphone of choice for voiceover artists and in many filming conditions. They usually require external power, and microphone placement is critical to a good result. The main advantage they have over dynamic microphones is their sensitivity to tone and amplitude, resulting in a more faithful rendering of the voice. Or an acoustic guitar, for example.

  • This is why audiobook narrators, for example, who need to portray different characters in a work of fiction choose a large diaphragm condenser microphone rather than dynamic microphones. 
  • Filmmakers use special condenser microphones called shotgun microphones, which usually have a highly directional polar pattern (see below) in order to capture sound immediately in front of the microphone while reducing sounds to the side or behind it.

Dynamic vs Condenser Microphones – Differences

 DynamicCondenser
SoundGreat for loud sounds and stage performances.Captures a much greater depth of sound, including higher frequencies. Very useful for vocals.
Best forLive gigs, studio, noisy environments (they don’t pick up as much background noise)Studios with good acoustic treatment.
Live gigs in certain situations (e.g. overhead drum mics)
InstrumentsDrums, guitar, live vocals.Vocals, stringed instruments, wind instruments, overhead drum mics (e.g. capturing cymbal sound)
BuildVery ruggedFragile (i.e. don’t drop them!)
ConsNot very good at picking up subtle or delicate sounds.
Very solid. They can handle being dropped much better than condenser mics.
Not very good at dealing with loud volumes.
They can pick up a lot of background noise.
CostMore affordableMore expensive
PowerNo power requiredRequires phantom power from Mixer or Audio interface.
Cable typeXLR (or USB)XLR (or USB)

Interested in renting some mics for your event?

Reach out to us now via the following methods

Screens

Tripod Screen

The tripod screen is ideal for indoor and outdoor small or large venue presentations. It has an adjustable locking ring that allows its height to be adjusted.

Pull Up Screen

A pull up screen is a portable projection screen. You are able to stow it away when not in use. There are a number of reasons to use a pull up screen, ranging from a desire to use space efficiently to a dislike for looking at a projection screen when it is not in use.

Fastfold Screen

Fastfold projector screens are a large audience mobile projector screen that can be assembled on site and then put away into its bag/casing and is easily transported.

Inflatable Screens

An inflatable movie screen is an inflatable framework with an attached projection screen. Inflatable screens are used for outdoor movies, film festivals, drive-in theaters, sports, social, fundraising and other events requiring outdoor projection.

LED Walls – Straight / Curved

An LED-wall or an LED Video wall is a large screen made of light-emitting diodes that display visual content like videos, images, text, and other forms of graphics. It gives the feeling of a massive, luminous wall that has no junctions between the various modules that make it.

LCD vs LED Screens

LCD stands for “Liquid Crystal Display.” LCD is a flat panel display technology commonly used in TVs and computer monitors. It is also used in screens for mobile devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Interested in having renting a screen for your event?

Reach out to us now via the following methods

Lighting

LED Uplights

Uplights create columns of light on your walls and give the illusion of higher ceilings and wider spaces when placed along the length of walls. Colorful uplighting adds depth and creates visual interest to any space. Most people like to use uplighters set to their corporate colors at their events.

LED Pixel Tube lights

Really great for fabricated installations eg cool photo backwall or feature piece. These are mainly used at experiential events. You can control their individual LEDs or pixels to create cool effects.

LED Wall Washer bar

This type of light provides a clean and attractive wash of light making it perfect to light up long set pieces and backdrops, step and repeats as well as drape lines.

Ellipsoidal reflector spotlights

Spotlights that are commonly used in theatrical lighting that contains an ellipsoidal reflector and that is particularly designed for long throws and is more efficient than conventional spotlights, reflecting rays that others waste.

PAR lighting

PAR stands for Parabolic Aluminized Reflector (PAR). These are usually a must-have at any event, and used for stage lighting. Also, musical spectacles benefit from these kinds of lights. These lights usually have different colour gels applied to generate moods, climates and transitions. For example, it is common to use very cold dark blue gel between acts and yellow and red gels to give warmth to the scenes.

Follow Spot

Spotlight that is used for following a performer moving about a stage.

Intelligent Lighting

Intelligent lighting refers to lighting that has automated or mechanical abilities beyond those of traditional, stationary illumination. Although the most advanced intelligent lights can produce extraordinarily complex effects, the intelligence lies with the human lighting designer, control system programmer, or the lighting operator, rather than the fixture itself. For this reason, intelligent lighting (ILS) is also known as automated lighting, moving lights, moving heads, or simply movers. It is usually used at concerts, festivals and larger corporate events.

Laser lights

Lasers come in a variety of colors, and most can be programmed via lighting consoles and software to change to the beat of the music, bounce around the room and even project images and lettering on walls. These are commonly used at many music venues, concerts, and nightclubs.

String Lighting

These are most commonly used at garden / outdoor events.

LED String lighting

Pin Spot Lighting

Great for highlighting certain areas eg centerpieces, place cards, a guestbook, bar areas, a cake, or a dessert table. Commonly used at weddings and gala dinners.

Projection Mapping / 3D lighting

This technology projects onto any surface and turns it into an engaging display for imagery or video. You can projection map your tables, centerpieces, stage floor, or pretty much any surface!

Kinetic Lights

Kinetic means moving. Simply put, these are moving light fixtures. They are functional works of art that physically change shape. This is usually used to create an immersive experience.

Interested in having some cool lighting at your event?

Reach out to us now via the following methods