if you want to record voice only, what frequency response do you want in a recorder?

Question

I know that the higher the frequency response the better but how much freq response do I need if I only want to record voices? Would a freq response of 100Hz-11KHz good enough for voices? What is the normal freq range of voices, like what frequencies does voice usually produce? Freq response on a speaker is how well it reproduce the sound but what is the freq reponse on a microphone? A microphone does not produce sound so what would the freq response represent in a mic, shouldn't the freq response on the speaker matter only?

Answer 1

The normal hearing range is from 20 hz to 20 khz. But just for voice only, I dont see any need to go to the extremes, if any you would want the lower frequencies since most speech is down there. I would think 100 hz to 11 khz would be ok, unless someone has a very high pitched voice!

The freq response of a microphone does matter. If it doesnt pick up the highs or lows, then there is no way the speaker can reproduce them.

Answer 2

This range of frequencies is fine for most speech only systems. Telephones use approximately 300Hz-3400HZ and are very successful for non-critical communications. However, extending the high end an octave or two beyond 3400Hz would be recommended for any mission critical communication system. Check out the link below for some interesting info on this topic.

The frequency response of a microphone represents the ability of the mic to convert specific audio vibrations into an electrical signal. If the microphone does not respond well to a particular frequency then that sound will not be processed and sent to the speaker or it will be reduced in volume.

WK