Studio Tip: Choosing A Microphone
I’m in a recording mode today and what better thought to think than, what kind of microphone should I get. Generally there are two types of microphones that are used in home recording studios. Condenser and Dynamic microphones. You may be a wonderer or worrier like me and really want to get the best microphone at the lowest possible price point. But you’ll save a ton of work if you get a good quality microphone. The better the microphone quality, the less you’ll have to do to bring out the best sound in your studio. With the right microphone you’ll not have to worry that much about re-tweaking the sound after you’ve recorded it. So it pays great dividends to pick a solid performing microphone. So let’s get started.
First what are Condenser and Dynamic microphones?
Condenser Microphone: A microphone which converts sound pressure changes into changes of capacitance. The capacitance changes are then converted into electrical voltage variations (an audio signal). In a condenser microphone, also called a capacitor or electrostatic microphone, the diaphragm acts as one plate of a capacitor, and the vibrations produce changes in the distance between continually charged plates. Condenser microphones span the range from telephone transmitters through inexpensive karaoke microphones to high-fidelity recording microphones. They generally produce a high-quality audio signal and are now the popular choice in laboratory and studio recording applications. The inherent suitability of this technology is due to the very small mass that must be moved by the incident sound wave, unlike other microphone types which require the sound wave to do more work. They require a power source, provided either via microphone outputs as phantom power or from a small battery. (Sources Wiki and Others)
Dynamic Microphone: A microphone whose sound pickup device consists of a diaphragm that is attached to a movable coil. As the diaphragm vibrates with the air pressure from the sound, the coil moves within a magnetic field, generating an electric current. This type of microphone requires no batteries or power supply. They are robust, relatively inexpensive and resistant to moisture. This, coupled with their potentially high gain before feedback makes them ideal for on-stage use. (Sources Wiki and Others)
There are many other types of microphones, but we’ll keep our discussion on these two.
Next, what microphone should you use for home recording? As a general rule, people usually stick to using Condenser microphones for studio use, and Dynamic microphones for stage use. There are a couple of reasons for this, but the primary reason for using Dynamic microphones on stage is their durability and resistance to feedback. There is a huge exception here, however, because one of the most important lessons you’ll learn is quality. It really doesn’t matter a whole ton if you use a Dynamic or Condenser microphone if it is a great microphone. Finding a microphone that faithfully records your voice, or instrument should be your first requirement when finding a microphone. What you are really looking for is a microphone that can receive and transmit a huge spectrum of sound and there are only a handful of microphones that can meet this requirement with a low (ish) price tag.
Several years ago I purchased an Audix OM5 Dynamic Microphone
But I’ve always been impressed by the Shure Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone
For Condenser microphones the Shure KSM32 Embossed Single-Diaphragm Microphone, Champagne
If you’re looking for a condenser microphone that has almost as many good reviews as the Shure, but costs less, then the MXL V67G Studio Condenser Microphone
I know there are so many more questions that can be pondered with microphones? Which one is the best for my drum kit? How do I mic my violin? Will that microphone work with my guitar/amp? My opinion is – you need to find your work horse. For me the Audix is my work horse. I’ve used the others but I only keep one microphone in my travel box.
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