Different Microphone Types
Posted on: 14th November 2022
There are so many different microphones out there and choosing the right mic for your needs might be a hard decision. There are multiple types with their own preferred environments. The main types of microphones are; Dynamic, Condenser and Ribbon. So what are the differences? What kind of mic is right for you?
Dynamic
Preferred for live sound, Dynamic microphones are engineered to handle loud audio sources and reject background noise. This kind of mic could be described as more of a “plug in and go” mic. Unlike other types, Dynamic microphones are passive, they do not require any additional power to operate. This type of mic works with a magnet and coil, when the sound waves go into the mic, the coils are moved back and forth which then creates a pulse which in turn, powers the microphone. This passive feature of Dynamic mics means that setup is hassle-free as there are no additional cables for power.
Dynamic microphones have Unidirectional (Cardioid) polar patterns. This means that the mic will pick up most of the sound from directly in front and block out any noise coming from the sides and back. This is ideal for any live performance where you’d want to block out the noise from the audience. Another thing to note with Dynamic mics is that they're very rugged and durable, you won’t really have to worry about accidentally damaging components because they are built to withstand a fair amount of wear and tear.
Dynamic mics generally have less sensitivity when compared to other types. This lowered sensitivity means that it requires more gain and also creates a less detailed sound. This might not be the best for in the studio but is not really an issue in Live performances as you don’t necessarily need to hear precise tones. The Dynamic mic tones are a lot smoother which provides an easier-to-listen-to sound, perfect for live settings.
Condenser
Ideal in a studio environment, Condenser microphones offer a very responsive, highly detailed and accurate sound. Of all mic types, Condensers have the widest frequency and best transient response. This means that they are able to pick up subtle sounds such as the pick of a guitar or the attack of a drum. Another benefit of Condenser mics is that they come in a variety of sizes, designs and polar patterns; so whatever environment you need the mic in you should be able to find a suitable Condenser.
One thing to note with Condensers is that, unlike Dynamic mics, they include active elements and therefore need an additional power source so won’t be able to just solely run off the mic cable. There are a number of ways to power a Condenser mic, one simple way to power them is by using something called Phantom Power. Generally, this power comes from amps/mixing desks over the audio cable and therefore won’t require any additional cables.
Another thing to consider is that Condenser microphones require additional equipment such as shock mounts and pop filters. This along with their superior sound quality means that Condensers are generally the more expensive type of mic.
Ribbon
Great for capturing sound in high detail, Ribbon microphones are capable of picking up nuances of close sources while remaining isolated from any unwanted noise. Thanks to its figure of 8 polar pattern (Bidirectional), this microphone has the ability to block out any sound that comes from the side. Ribbon mics will only pick up the sound from the front and back so if you need to block out a specific sound simply face the side toward the unwanted noise.
Ribbon microphones are designed to excel at capturing highly detailed sound from instruments of all types. Newer generations of Ribbon mics are robust enough to smooth out the cutting midrange of overdriven amps whilst still presenting a low-mid punch to yield a powerful tone.
It should be pointed out however, Ribbon microphones need to be handled with a lot more care than the other types of mics. Ribbon mics are created with an extremely, and we mean extremely thin piece of metal, normally aluminium. This piece of metal is very fragile and can be damaged simply by blowing into the mic or placing it in a high-wind environment. The metal can even sag and potentially break if not correctly stored in an upright position. These kinds of mics are generally seen as quite specialist pieces of equipment and therefore are tailored to more experienced users.
Phantom Power
Phantom Power is a method of transmitting voltage over an audio cable to provide power to microphones. It is called phantom power because it uses the cable that carries the audio signal so provides transmission of audio as well as power to the mic in a single cable.
Phantom Power is generally already built into mic preamps, mixer amps and mixing desks but don’t worry if your amp does not have this feature, external phantom power supplies are always an option. Phantom Power units supply a voltage between 12 to 48 volts via a 3-pin XLR, however, some mics only require a small 9-volt supply which can be supplied with a simple jack plug.
It is important to take note that Phantom power should only be used on mics that require it such as condenser microphones. If you were to use phantom power with a dynamic mic that requires no extra power then you might run into compatibility issues.
Conclusion
As you can see the type of mic you need is largely determined by the environment and what you need it for. They all have their own unique qualities so the type of mic you need really depends on what you’re using it for. If you wanted a durable, easy-to-set-up microphone for a live setting then a Dynamic type is probably what you’re looking for. If you need a responsive, highly detailed microphone for a studio then a condenser mic might be your best bet. And if you’re an experienced user and are looking to record sound in extreme detail then a ribbon type could be what you’re looking for.
We hope this has helped you to understand a bit more about the types of microphones and their uses. If you have any questions or need any help choosing a mic for your projects contact our team on 01525 850085 or email sales@leisuretec.co.uk.
Related Articles
