recording

11.22.09

Smoke/Laser Microphone Captures "Pure Sound" With No Interference

By Clay Dillow Posted 09.23.2009 at 5:06 pm 4 Comments

Technological advances have brought audio recording a long way over the past several decades, but, as with so many things, microphone recording is limited by the very technology that has pushed it forward. In this particular case, that limit is the diaphragm that converts sound into electrical signals by measuring vibrations made by incoming sound waves. Because each diaphragm has its own characteristics, all microphones are not created equal; and because the sound waves are converted by these diaphragms, there is always some degree of mechanical interference with the sound.

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READ MORE ABOUT > audio, David Schwartz, microphones, mp3, music, recording, sound, voice recording

The Sounds of Science

Eavesdropping on frogs and on co-workers

By Anna Maria Jakubek Posted 05.13.2009 at 10:53 am 0 Comments

Behold Huia cavitympanum: the only frog species that can communicate through ultrasonic calls too high-pitched for humans to hear. Two scientists made the discovery by camping out with recording devices in the frog's native island of Borneo. Bonus points go to the guy who was "bitten by leeches and woke up several mornings soaked in blood."

Also in today's links: a reason to switch up your music, what to do with too many chicken feathers, and more.

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READ MORE ABOUT > amphibians, eavesdropping, frogs, jellyfish, links, missing links, recording, security, sound, textiles

Tape Records Mass-Produced

Look for your favorite artists soon on magnetic tape

By PopSci Staff Posted 04.01.2009 at 8:32 am 6 Comments

This multiple tape recorder removes the last obstacle to commercial recordings on magnetic tape -- the mass production of duplicate tapes. It makes eight duplicates at once at three times normal speed. It can also record two sound tracks on the same tape at the same time. Thus the machine can turn out eight hour-long recordings in 10 minutes, or 48 an hour.