// MODULE 3 OF 8 · SBE CPT PREP v1.0
The mic doesn't care about your excuses.
Mic types
TRANSDUCERSDynamic — rugged, no power needed, handles loud sources, classic radio voice mic. Condenser — sensitive, detailed, needs phantom power (+48V), hears the room. Ribbon — delicate, figure-8, never hot-plug phantom into vintage ribbons.
Polar patterns
PICKUPCardioid — front, rejects rear: the radio default. Omni — everything. Figure-8 — front/back, sides rejected: two guests across one mic. Proximity effect: cardioids get bassier as you close in — one fist of distance, speak across the capsule at a slight angle to dodge plosives.
The room
ACOUSTICSReflections smear speech. Soft, uneven surfaces beat bare drywall. The WPHL room's wood paneling, rug and gear clutter is accidental acoustic treatment — a dead-ish room reads as professional; a bathroom-echo room reads amateur no matter the mic.
On the U-Rock rails
NETWORK TIE-INThe dashboard's In-Browser Recorder (Media Creator → Record) files straight into the Broadcast Media Library with a category. Record drops and liners one fist from the mic, name them properly (ID / Sweep / Intro / Lead-In matter — miscategorized files pollute every station's programming view).
Do this now
HANDS ON- Record the same liner at one fist and at two feet; A/B them.
- File the good one under the correct category — not everything is a Station ID.