Recording Microphones: Types of mics, various techniques used while recording, and the best options available for your studio.
Introduction
Microphone is an important equipment used for live music and for music production and and commonly used for recording and amplifying vocals, music, and sound effects. Whether you’re preparing for a live performance or setting up your own recording studio, you need a microphone that can pick up high-quality audio.
The mic is an important component needed to get the sound into your recording computer. Though these are used primarily by those interested in acoustic music, even those into electronic sound may at times want something to get in analog sounds or vocals.
Types of Microphones
Here we take a look at the various Types of microphones that are commonly used for music production, for live music and in the recording studio. We will understand their differences and the applications of each.
When it comes to music applications, the three most commonly used microphones are:
- Dynamic Microphones: All purpose, versatile mic and sturdy enough to withstand rough handling. These are built to capture high sound levels from amps and from drums. If you have money to buy just one microphone. go in for a dynamic mic.
- Condenser Microphones: Another popular type which is common used for recording vocals. These are more sensitive to sound pressure and are less durable (compared to dynamic mics) because of the complicated internal mechanism. Use it for capturing better vocals
- Ribbon microphones: Long before Dynamic and Condenser mics were introduced, ribbon mics were commonly used in the radio industry. These natural-sounding microphone mics nicely captured higher notes without the harshness and sounded warm. With recent ribbon mics looking thinner and sleeker, and sturdier than their old counterparts, these are increasingly becoming popular. You may use it for live multi-instrument recording and even for home recording, if you’re looking for a more natural-sounding microphone with vintage vibe (although a bit more expensive).
Dynamic Microphones
This is your general-purpose music recording mic and most musicians have one in their studio. Dynamic mics are typically used to record instruments in the low to mid frequency ranges (drums, percussion, bass, and electric guitar).
Here are some of their advantages/features:
- Rugged & Durable: Preferred for live performances as these are built for rough use.
- Heavy & robust Diaphragm: Can record at much higher sound levels (acoustic drums) without getting damaged
- Passive Circuitry: Do not require an external power source.
- Resistant to Moisture: Simple changes in humidity (resulting from traveling) won’t affect this mic.
It’s economical & no frills microphone; quite different from the Condenser mics.
Condenser Microphones
Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones
Small diaphragm condenser microphones are typical used to record instruments that are rich in high frequency content. Those instruments commonly include cymbals, acoustic guitar, and acoustic piano.
Here are some of their advantages/features:
- Delicate Design: These are very fragile, very likely will break if you drop them.
- Light Diaphragm: Allows them to accurately record high frequency detail. It’s more sensitive to the lower energy levels of higher frequencies.
- Active Circuitry: They require phantom power, which means they can achieve higher gain, and record quieter sounds. But then, they’re more sensitive to feedback. For live use, feedback could be a problem (in studios, it’s mostly irrelevant).
- Condenser mics are Expensive
The next microphone is similar to this one, except that it comes with a larger diaphragm.
Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones
Anybody recording his/her debut album in the studio for a major record label, is of-course going to use a large diaphragm condenser.
For recording smooth vocals, these are your go-to mics.
Large diaphragm condensers have a larger capsule because inside they house a larger, heavier diaphragm.
So it captures the fullness and warmth of the lower frequencies like a dynamic mic, but it still captures much of the highs like a small diaphragm condenser. Essentially, it sits somewhere in between these two!
Ribbon Microphones
While not essential in the recording studio, ribbon mics are a viable alternative to the usual dynamic and condenser mics.
Here’s how it compares to the other two:
- Instead of a diaphragm, ribbon mics use a thin aluminum ‘ribbon’ to conduct sound.
- They are passive (requires no external power).
- Typically quite durable.
- Good at capturing high frequency details (like condensers)
- Because of their design, they have a bi directional polar pattern, which makes them ideal for use in stereo recording.
USB Microphones
USB microphones are probably the newest in the block; these were not around until a few years back.
However, with computers becoming widespread and most accessories being USB based, it was just a matter of time before these were available.
And today, they’re quite popular actually, obviously because of their ease-of-use. Just plug it in to a USB port on the computer, and you’re ready to use it. No need for preamps, digital converters, or any audio interface.
Want to setup a recording studio for cheap? Here’s how you do it!
- Download a free DAW software (such as Audacity)
- Get a USB mic (inexpensive)
- Plug it into your computer and your recording studio is ready.
Do the pros use it yet? Not yet! These are not used in professional recording studios. But for a novice home recording studio, definitely yes!
Here are some excellent USB Microphones that will help you get started.
Talkback Microphones
This is not really for recording music, but something that is used in studios & onstage. Talkback mics allow you to talk to the musicians between takes. So unlike the other mics discussed here, the sound quality doesn’t really matter.
In high end systems such as older analog consoles, talkback systems usually come built in. But in the home recording studio, you’ll most likely have to design your own. It’s easy to design one; all you need is a simple talkback mic, and a separate aux channel in your DAW session.
That’s pretty much it, and I’m sure its good to know about the various types of recording studio microphones. You probably may start with a dynamic microphone, or even a USB one, which is perfectly alright because you have to go through a big learning curve. You can always upgrade as and when the need arises.
Recording Microphones: Buying Guide
If you intend to make a record, anything less than a capacitor (condenser) microphone won’t do, or at least you need a VERY good dynamic mic. A condenser microphone is one that needs power, either from a battery or phantom power (+48vdc) which good desks have, as do most pre-amps.
Many vocalists use a Shure SM58, because they are rugged, and can be used on stage, but for studio purposes, you need something that provides stunning clear vocals.
If you are going to record vocals and guitars, the popular choices is to go with condenser mic. These are the most sensitive types of mics you can get, compared to the dynamic mics.
They do require a power source so make sure either your mic preamp or the audio interface has phantom power on it and that will make sure you can get the sound out of your condenser mic.
Dynamic and Ribbon mics are the other types that are also used. These have different applications, particularly if you are going to use things like Drum mic’ing.
However you can always start with one good condenser mic for your studio. There are also a couple of accessories that are going to be very important to you.
The first one is a Mic stand.
Since these are very sensitive mics you cannot hand hold them. They will transmit noise. Most of them will come with a shock mount for the same purpose – to prevent noise from filtering in to the mic.
The final thing you need is a pop-filter if you are going to record vocals. This prevents haziness sounds coming in through the recording, that can be quite harsh, so make sure you get yourself a nice pop-filter.
Another thing to consider when using a microphone is to ensure that you record only the sounds that you want to get to the microphone.
You might be living in a residential street with traffic noise or you might be in a room that is reflective and you might be getting sounds that you don’t want to hear.
The best way to deal with it is to get a good Reflection filter and this is just a piece of acoustic foam that sits behind the mic and comes around it, and makes sure that the reflections are stopped from entering it.
This will ensure that you have the best possible recording without having any unwanted sounds added to it.
Microphone Accessories
Take a look at some of these useful microphone accessories such as Microphone arms, goosenecks, Microphone stands, belts and brackets, pop filters, and more that will help you get the most out of your recording session. Read more…
Reviews of the best recording microphones here…
Popular Brands of Microphones
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