If you’ve just started diving into the world of microphones and are overwhelmed by all of the options out there, you’re not alone. There is a myriad of mic types to choose from, and it can be challenging to understand how each one works. So, we’re going to give you a brief breakdown of the different categories of microphones to help you find the most suitable type for your needs.
Condenser Microphones
Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
If you’re recording vocals, it’s likely that you will be using a large-diaphragm condenser microphone. Condenser mics are highly sensitive and very accurate. They excel at capturing the subtlest nuances of one’s voice or instrument and can capture a broad frequency range of sound. Large-diaphragm condenser microphones operate off phantom power, which is typically provided by the preamp in your audio interface. However, it should be noted that not all interfaces support phantom power. So, it’s important to ensure that your interface or preamp has this +48V phantom power feature. For a more in-depth look at large-diaphragm condenser mics, check out our article What is a Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone: A Favorite Studio Companion.
Small-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Small-diaphragm condenser mics excel at providing an unadulterated or neutral sound with ample detail. While large-diaphragm microphones typically have their own character or sonic flavor and tend to sound more engaging and musical, small-diaphragm mics can be technically described as having superior accuracy. Especially in scenarios where one wants pure and uncolored sound, small condenser microphones are often used for pianos, acoustic guitars, strings and drums to retain the integrity of the instrument’s natural character.
Tube Microphone
Though tube microphones are usually considered a category of their own, they are technically condenser mics as well. A tube microphone typically offers a warm and rich sound, often with a vintage or analog flavor. They are a great choice for vocals if you’re looking for this type of character. But they are also often used for acoustic guitars, pianos, drums, strings, and more. Tube microphones require an external power source, and, for this reason, you’ll find them packaged with a dedicated power supply. For a closer look at tube mics, check out our article What Is a Tube Microphone and When Should You Use It?
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic Stage Microphone
Dynamic microphones are less sensitive than condenser microphones and often lack the uncompromising precision and nuance of condenser microphones. However, with respect to vocals, dynamic microphones tend to be the most common choice for stage performance. This is because they are less sensitive to sounds from further away, allowing you to minimize any pickup coming from the band or audience. They also have less handling noise than condenser mics, which means you can move around the stage without creating any disruptive rumbles or other unwanted noise.
Dynamic Broadcasting Microphones
Dynamic microphones are also particularly popular for broadcasting applications like radio and podcasting. This is partly because dynamic mics tend to have a very warm and rich sonic personality, bringing depth and gravitas to the speaking voice. And since dynamic mics do a better job of ignoring pesky noise reflections and other interferences, they are a forgiving choice for podcasting.
To find out more about dynamic microphones, read our article What is Dynamic Microphone and When Should You Use It?
Ribbon Microphones
Technically speaking, ribbon microphones are a type of dynamic mic, although they are generally suited for more specific applications. Ribbon microphones have a more focused pick-up than conventional dynamic microphones and they excel at handling loud sources. For this reason, ribbon mics are often used in studio settings, where the microphone must capture a singular instruments in the most sonically honest way possible. And because of their ability to handle loud sources, brass (such as trumpets) and other loud instruments are particularly suited for ribbon mics.
Finally, ribbon microphones are also popular for broadcasting scenarios thanks to their strong proximity effect. This means that low frequencies become more accentuated the closer you get to the mic. So, if the speaker leans into the mic, they can exaggerate the depth and lushness of their voice.
To read more about ribbon microphones, see our article What is a Ribbon Mic?
Final Thoughts
We hope this article has provided some basic clarity on the types of microphones available and the kinds of applications these different mic categories work best for. To further explore the various microphones available on the market, please visit our product pages. Or drop us a line, and we’ll do our best to answer your questions.
