Woodbrass Bird UM1

USB microphones are now very widespread in the audio equipment although their arrival in this industry is quite recent. However, they seem to be more popular with standard users than with sound engineers looking for a good studio microphone.

The problem is that the convenience of using USB microphones often seems to take precedence over the quality of the recordings made . This trend doesn't apply to all USB microphones, however, and this can be seen through the design of the Woodbrass Bird UM1.

Presentation of the Woodbrass brand

The French may have as much expertise as the Germans or the Americans when it comes to audio equipment . At least that's what the French behind the Woodbrass Bird brand have proven since the creation of this company in 2011.

Woodbrass in addition to being a sales site specializing in audio equipment of all brands, also stands out as a company specializing in the manufacturing of various equipment in the audio industry . This includes studio microphones , headphones and speakers . Woodbrass products are distributed exclusively on their site and at certain resellers such as Amazon or Cdiscount. This model has combined know-how with Woodbrass to offer the best products to all audiophiles. The UM1 therefore aligns with this philosophy.

Woodbrass Bird UM1 Microphone Overview

The Bird UM1 was not designed as a portable music player. It must be attached to a specific support for its use. Woodbrass Bird UM1 studio microphone accessories You can quickly assemble the Bird UM1 studio microphone provided you already have a boom.

Sometimes the output of an external microphone holder is not compatible with the type of tip used on a boom. This creates a gap in the mounting which can make the microphone unstable when handling. Woodbrass anticipated this problem when manufacturing the UM1. This professional microphone actually comes with a support adapter to fill the gap during mounting with good tightening.

The Woodbrass Bird UM1 also comes in a stylish black faux leather case which has been designed specifically for its dimensions. The interior of the case is covered with foam padding to provide better protection for the microphone during transport.

To set it up, you must first attach the support to the pole by rotating the loop. The elastic adjustment should then be lowered so that the central cavity can open . The Woodbrass Bird UM1 will then slide into the support.

The elastic control will finally be held to adjust its position and released when the correct position has been obtained. The flexibility provided here certainly isn't going to match a gooseneck, but the wiggle room is still pretty decent.

It is normal to think that this microphone is difficult to set up given its spider support. The entire assembly, however, only takes a few minutes.

Initial assembly is not a tedious process with models as easy to install as the Bird UM1. The convenience provided during installation does not stop at the assembly itself. It also relates to configuring the microphone before use.

The problem with many microphones is that they must be adjusted to several parameters before they are ready to work. No such problem arises with the Woodbrass Bird UM1. The latter was in fact designed as a Plug-and-Play device . This means it is ready to use from the moment you plug it into the computer.

It is not essential to use an audio interface or a sound card with the Woodbrass Bird UM1. A simple cable connection to a USB port is enough to get it working. The UM1 is also immediately recognized on Windows , macOS or Linux depending on its firmware setting. The computer will recognize it as USB audio device .

Woodbrass Bird UM1 Microphone Audio Processing Technology

The Bird UM1 microphone is a condenser microphone with an electret capsule . Electret microphones do not work in the same way as classic condenser microphones or condenser microphones like a shotgun microphone ( NTG3 from Rode for example). The difference is mainly found in the creation of a magnetic field between the microphone membrane and its back plate.

To understand this, it is necessary to define how condenser microphones themselves work. The capacitance of a capacitor changes depending on the rate at which sound waves strike the diaphragm.

The change in capacitance, however, is only detected by the microphone components when the condenser capsule is biased with an electrical voltage . The latter is called “ bias voltage ” and must be high enough for good sensitivity.

The electric current charge required for this bias voltage can be applied in two ways. The classic method is to bias the capsule through an external voltage by plugging the mic into an external power supply.

This is most commonly 48 volt phantom power , such as provided by the mic input of a mixing board . Those without a mixing console can also get phantom power with a mic preamplifier or channel strip.

Many more modern condenser mics can also operate at higher voltages of 60 to 80 flaps . This is possible thanks to the voltage converter they are equipped with.

The other method of polarization consists of freezing the electrical charge permanently in the capsule. This is possible by covering the capsule with a special substance called electret. Electrets are like electrostatic versions of a permanent magnet . The electret layer is on the backplate of the capsule or the transducer membrane.

Electret microphones may need a power supply for the operation of the built-in preamplifier. The voltage is however so insignificant that it can be obtained with an internal battery or in most cases phantom power. Electret technology is widely used on this point for the design of a wireless microphone .

An electret microphone is not to be confused with a dynamic microphone. Please note that dynamic microphones can operate without any external power supply due to the absence of electronic components.

A condenser mic, however, tends to experience less handling noise compared to a dynamic microphone. This is partly due to the low mass diaphragm that is used on condenser microphones.

The technology of a dynamic microphone is also very different from that of condenser microphones. A dynamic mic converts sound into an electrical signal using electromagnetism . There are two types of dynamic microphones, namely moving coil and ribbon mics.

Moving coil microphones are designed similarly to speakers. A coil surrounded by a powerful magnet is stuck to the back of a membrane. The membrane moves in time with the sound waves that hit it and the coil at the back moves with it.

The relative movement of the coil in the magnetic gap induces a small signal voltage in this coil. This is how sound is converted into an electrical signal .

Ribbon microphones work according to the principle of electromagnetic induction. The membrane and coil are replaced here by a ribbon transducer with a narrow strip of very thin aluminum foil.

Aluminum tape has the advantage of being lighter than the membrane to which the voice coil is attached. The ribbon transducer is therefore more precise than a moving coil capsule in tracking the movements of sound waves.

However, it should be noted that the magnetic gap here only has a single conductor instead of a copper coil. The generated output level is thus lower. This is why ribbon microphones also contain a component called a step-up transformer . The latter multiplies the output voltage of the transducer by an average factor of 30.

A dynamic ribbon instrument like the Beyerdynamic M130 still tends to have lower sensitivity than moving coil mics. Sensitivity can be understood here as the output level obtained for specific sound pressure levels.

It is therefore always necessary to use a very low noise, high gain preamp with a ribbon mic (like the SPL Goldmike 9844 preamp for example).

A ribbon mic is also bidirectional in nature. This means that it has the same sensitivity to sounds coming towards the front of the mic as those coming from behind. The ribbon does not move however for sound waves that come from the sides of the mic. This type of configuration for sound recording is also known as figure 8 .

Woodbrass microphone can also capture sounds in a wide spectrum due to its 34mm diaphragm . This gives you greater freedom of movement to use the microphone by hand. Bird also took care to design the UM1 to maintain the same level of sensitivity and precision even when you spin it.

The extended spectrum of the sensor installed in the Woodbrass Bird UM1 is mainly due to its unidirectional design and its cardioid directivity . This means that sensitivity to sound waves varies depending on how the axis of the mic is positioned relative to the source of the sound wave.

The Woodbrass Bird UM1 would have benefited from being able to be used as an omnidirectional microphone or offer other patterns for its directivity.

Another USB microphone like the Blue Yeti X notably offers cardioid , omnidirectional , bidirectional and stereo polar . The Bird UM1 is therefore more directional in comparison. However, this can be understood considering that the Bird UM1 is much more affordable than the Yeti X.

Technical characteristics of the Woodbrass Bird UM1 microphone

The Woodbrass delivers fairly common values ​​for frequency response. It can go down to 20 Hz for low frequencies and 20 kHz for high frequencies. Frequency response is a defining specification of a mic's sound quality.

It is in fact from the frequency response that the range of sound reproducible with a microphone can be defined. Variations in mic output considering this sound range also depend on frequency response. It nevertheless stands out with a frequency response curve that is remarkably linear for an electret microphone .

It would have been practical if the Woodbrass Bird UM1 had been equipped with a high-pass filter in the frequency response processing. The high pass filter effectively cuts the frequency response at a specific point. Only frequencies above the specified cutoff can be transmitted to the audio signal. The idea is to have a cleaner signal by eliminating unwanted energy.

Woodbrass UM1 does not function as a wireless microphone. It needs a USB cable for its built-in preamp voltage and signal transmission . The USB cable therefore plays the function of a symmetrical connection in the use of audio equipment.

The absence of wireless technology such as Bluetooth thus eliminates the need to establish whether it is a or UHF model . However, it should be noted that VHF microphones have a wireless transmission range between 170 MHz and 216 MHz . That of UHF microphones is in comparison between 450 MHz and 952 MHz .

The maximum sound pressure level that has been specified for the Woodbrass Bird UM1 is additionally 125 dB Spl . Maximum sound pressure is often incorrectly defined as the loudest sound a microphone can record before being destroyed. However, this is the sound pressure threshold at which the output signal of a microphone begins to distort.

The notion of maximum sound pressure is a corollary of that of analog distortion and total harmonic distortion. Distortion itself can be defined as a distortion of the output signal relative to an input signal.

It can be as obvious as the roar of an electric guitar or as subtle as the warm saturation of a condenser mic. Analog distortion is this more subtle version of distortion.

Microphones are analog equipment by nature. This means that they will produce analog distortion when the sound source is louder than the dBspL . Analog distortion is not, however, an undesirable effect for a microphone. The resulting compression and saturation can even improve the signal depending on the user's point of view.

However, an occasional user should not use the microphone beyond the value indicated for maximum sound pressure. Overloading the microphone's circuitry can indeed create problems in its long-term performance over specific sound ranges.

It is also not easy to guess the analog distortion of a microphone. This is why it is measured using total harmonic distortion or THD . THD can be defined as the ratio of the sum of the powers of all harmonics to the power of their fundamental frequency. It is concretely a measure specific to saturation in a signal .

Much like the Superlux R102 mic , be aware that active microphones such as the Woodbrass Bird UM1 have quite limited headroom when it comes to dealing with distortion. This limitation is linked to the operation of the element which converts the impedance, but also to the electronic components of the amplifier . A distortion threshold is then established with regard to the internal power rails and the impedance level of the microphone.

Most active microphones like the R-122 MkII from Royer Labs get around this problem by integrating an attenuator into their design. The latter is a sort of pad installed in the microphone. It reduces the voltage of the signal coming from the capsule before it reaches the electronic circuit.

The maximum sound pressure level is therefore effectively reduced to prevent distortion . However, such a feature does not appear to be present in the Bird UM1 concept.

The technical specifications of the Bird UM1 also state that it has a sensitivity of -37 dB +/-2 dB . The sensitivity of a microphone can be defined as a measure of its effectiveness as a transducer.

This means that it defines its ability to convert acoustic energy into electrical energy. It is through the ratio between the output voltage of a microphone and its sound pressure level that its sensitivity is defined.

The sensitivity of a microphone is an essential value for its performance , and especially with regard to dynamic description . In concrete terms, this involves establishing whether the microphone is more efficient at recording louder or softer sounds.

Low mic sensitivity is best when capturing a louder sound source without extraneous noise. A low-sensitivity microphone like the Shure Beta 58 A, however, will be less effective at capturing softer sound sources.

Zoom on the sound quality of the Woodbrass Bird UM1 microphone

The Bird UM1 operates at an impedance of 200 Ohms , which is a fairly common value for a separate unit microphone. It is especially on microphones integrated into electric guitars that we can find high impedance values. The latter also require an amplifier for this reason in order to deliver better sound from the analog signal.

The impedance value is not a priori an important indication for a beginner user for his home studio . However, it is more relevant for a broadcast sound engineer or for professional studio recording.

Impedance can be understood as the resistance to an alternating current . Lower impedance results in less signal alteration when sound travels through a cable. The UM1 can therefore capture vocals clearly when recording. It is not necessary to use headphones as advanced as the ATX-ADX5000 to experience this clarity when monitoring .

The low level of disturbance in signal transmission is supported by the range of frequency responses of the Woodbrass Bird UM1. The minimum value of 20 Hz is sufficient to capture deep bass . The maximum value of 20 kHz is favorable for capturing the highest pitched sounds . The Woodbrass Bird UM1 also reproduces midrange with satisfactory fidelity for its price.

The linearity of the frequency response also allows the Woodbrass Bird 1 to deliver a more natural sound for recordings. It is especially when taking vocals for the song or the voice-over that this effect is most felt. It nevertheless delivers fairly similar performance for recording acoustic instruments such as the clarinet, bass drum and snare drum.

The electret capacitor of the Woodbrass Bird UM1 does not show any major differences with a conventional capacitor in sound quality. It is important to note here that the electret used on the Bird UM1 is not as cheap as that of a telephone.

This is an electret with a high polarization charge installed on the backplate of the capsule. This electret is used in conjunction with a gold mylar diaphragm . The Woodbrass Bird UM1 manages to match the sound quality of a classic condenser microphone. However, it offers the added advantage of not requiring an external voltage to maintain its charge.

The cardioid directivity of the Bird UM1 also favors the creation of a proximity effect when picking up vocals. This means that the bass tends to be more pronounced the closer the microphone is to a sound source. Such an effect can be advantageous or undesirable depending on the type of recording you want to make with the microphone.

A person can notably have a deeper , even earthier voice, by playing with this effect when taking vocals. Such an effect, however, is only beneficial if that person is able to sing at different volumes, in addition to the effects added to the mix . The proximity effect otherwise creates a tonal imbalance, especially if the microphone is moved.

The Woodbrass Bird UM1 microphone is not really subject to handling noise due to its electret technology. However, it is not immune to clicking noises or the contact of saliva with the windshield. The use of a pop filter is essential. However, this accessory is not supplied with the Woodbrass Bird UM1 and must be purchased separately.

Our opinion on the Woodbrass Bird UM1 microphone

WoodbrassWoodbrass Bird UM1 was designed with convenience and performance in mind. Its practical side is immediately reflected by the provision of a support and its adapter for easy and optimal assembly. It also works as a plug-and-play device. Simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable to start using it.

Woodbrass UM1 also aligns with models like the SE Electronics NEOM USB with its cardioid polar pattern and condenser technology. The technical specifications are not impressive, but the microphone still manages to provide optimal sound for different uses. It is ideal for gaming and podcasts. His performances for the song and the musical instruments are also decent as long as you don't go overboard.

It should also be noted that this quality of design is delivered at a very reasonable price compared to other USB microphones. However, you will have a better chance of finding the UM1 at an attractive price by consulting the special offers at Woodbrass .

Special offers at Woodbrass 🔥