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Microphones - What's the
difference? |
So many mics. Which one do I need?
Why are there different types of microphones? The simple answer is that
there are so many types of musical sounds. Vocals, electric guitar,
clarinet, drums, keyboards, violins… all generate different frequencies or
combinations of frequencies.
The major differences between microphones are the transducer type and the
pickup pattern. The transducer is the element inside a mic that converts
sound waves to electrical impulses. The pickup pattern is the area around
the mic where sound can actually be "heard" by the microphone. |
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First, let's look at
microphone pickup patterns.
A mic that is equally sensitive to sound from all sides is called an
omnidirectional mic. Omni mics are great for picking up natural room sound
and are also very good for capturing group vocals.. Omni mics also tend to
be more "forgiving" because they pick up sound even when the mic is rotated
at different angles.
Be careful working with omni mics in the studio. If they're not positioned
correctly, you may end up with too much ambient sound in your recording.
Picks up sound from all directions; good for ambient sound and group vocals |
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A unidirectional mic is sensitive to sound only in a specific direction. The
most common type features a cardioid (heart-shaped) pattern that rejects
sound coming from behind the microphone. This can be very useful for
reducing bleed when recording a guitar amp sitting next to a drum kit. A
supercardioid mic has an even narrower pickup pattern, further reducing
bleed from nearby sound sources.
Sometimes it's better to stick with cardioids when you first start
recording. They're a good balance between the omnis which have the widest
pickup pattern and the supercardioids which have the narrowest.
Picks up sound only in front of the mic; most common type. |
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Cardioid and supercardioid mics are good for crowded spaces (like group
recording sessions) where multiple microphones are positioned close
together.
Tightest pickup pattern; ideal where multiple mics are used |
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Now
let's look at the two basic microphone transducer types: dynamic and
condenser.
 To
understand the difference between these types of microphones, you have to
know something about how they work (which gets a little technical).
In a dynamic mic, a coil of wire is mounted on a diaphragm, which sits
inside a magnetic field. When the diaphragm is moved by the sound source the
resulting fluctuations in the magnetic field create an electric current that
travels from the mic through the rest of the recording system.
Dynamic mics are rugged and can handle high sound pressure levels, like
those delivered by kick drums, snare drums, and high volume guitar amps.
They're also good for loud, aggressive vocals. Most people start out
recording with dynamic mics because of their lower cost and high durability.
A condenser mic utilizes a constant electric charge, provided by a battery
or phantom power in a mixer. Because condenser diaphragms have less mass,
which requires less energy to move, condenser mics are more sensitive than
dynamic mics and are very responsive to high frequencies produced by an
acoustic guitar or cymbals on a drum-kit. |
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Some condenser microphones are called "small-diaphragm" condensers. This
configuration is used for vocals in live performance, and for live and
recorded instruments. Here are some examples of small-diaphragm condenser
mics. |
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Large-diaphragm condenser mics are often chosen for recording vocals. These
condensers may be considered a luxury for people who are new to home
recording, but they're a good investment if you want an immediately
noticeable upgrade in recording quality.
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That covers the basic differences between
microphones. Which mic you choose will depend on what you're recording
(specific instruments or vocals), the room you're recording in, and, most
importantly, the sound you like. You may want to start by borrowing some
different mics and experimenting with them. |
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