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A Guide to Different Types of Microphones & Their Uses

Writer's picture: Ana SongelAna Songel

Updated: Jul 29, 2021

Want to set up your own home recording studio and you still don’t know which microphone would be best for you?

Gotcha, I’ve been there.

There are thousands and thousands of microphones on sale online and the worst part is that they all “seem” to do the same thing.

But the reality is, they don’t. 

We just assume they are all the same because the different types of microphones seem endless and to be honest a bit boring to try to understand.

Because of this we often buy the first or cheapest option we find and end up losing time and money instead.

If you want to do things right and get the right microphone for your home studio, keep on reading.

This easy article will help you understand the different types of mics out there and their main uses.  

Sound good? Then let’s start.

The 2 main microphone categories

The first mics you might have already come across are these 2:

-Condenser

-Dynamic

Almost 100% of the microphones out there can fit into these 2 categories.

Easy right?

You are one step ahead of finding your perfect microphone.

All you need to do is understand how they compare to each other and what you can use them for.

Condenser vs Dynamic microphone

To make things short and easy to understand I have compiled a chart comparing their main differences.

Condenser microphones

Better response onHigh frequency instruments like (acoustic guitar, piano or vocals) Diaphragm Smaller and lighter Power source Active. Needs phantom power. Durability More fragile. Can be damaged at higher sound pressure levels. If dropped to the ground, low survival chances. Does not perform well under extreme humidity Price More expensive

Dynamic microphones

Better response onLow frequency instruments like (electric guitar , drums, live performance) Diaphragm Bigger and heavier. Generates enough voltage through movement. Power source Passive. No need for phantom power. Durability Stronger. Can take louder sounds and instruments such as drums. If dropped to the ground, decent survival chances. Performs well under extreme humidity. Price Perfect for projects on a budget

Understanding microphone diaphragms and power sources:

In a nutshell, a bigger microphone diaphragm( like the one in dynamic mics) will produce enough voltage through the movement in its internal circuit. 

This means there is no need for an external power source. 

Sound moves some coils at the inside of the mic back and forth,  creating an electromagnetic signal that then gets transferred into the wire.

A condenser microphone, however, has a smaller diaphragm which requires an external or “phantom power” to amplify the weaker voltage.

Head over to “Condenser vs Dynamic microphones” to see the complete guide.

Different microphone diaphragms

The size of a diaphragm will directly affect your microphone’s sensitivity, dynamic range(the difference between the quietest and loudest volume of a sound), internal noise level, and ultimately the amount of sound pressure level it can handle. 

The bigger the diaphragm, the more sensitivity and the more vibrations are captured which creates a natural sound. Large diaphragms move easily detecting the faintest differences in sound levels. 

There are 3 main categories to take into account when buying your home recording studio:

-Small-diaphragm: their design makes them lighter and easier to position or direct. Their thin cylindrical shapes can handle higher sound pressure levels and have a wider dynamic range. However, they usually have a lower sensitivity.

-Big diaphragm: Favourite option for recording studios due to their sensitivity to air vibrations and their variety of uses ( you can record almost any instruments and are also perfect for vocals).

-Medium diaphragm: these are usually called hybrids because they combine characteristics of the ones mentioned above. They can be used at home recording studios and live performances however if you need a specific mic I would recommend going for a small or big diaphragm microphone.

Microphone polar patterns

A microphone polar pattern describes how a mic responds to sounds from different directions.

There are two main categories:

Omnidirectional: microphone picks up sound equally from all directions (front, back, bottom, sides. 360-degree pattern and pick up. 

Used in situations where the sound is recorded rather than in live situations.

Unidirectional: responds better to sounds coming from a specific direction and has less response from others. Good for situations where you wish to isolate a specific sound (i.e a live performance)

Picture sourced from Disk Makers. Microphone polar patterns.

Subcategories

-Cardioid: Its upside-down heart shape makes them sensitive to sounds coming from the front, less sensitive from the sides, and have no pickup point from the rear. Their sound acceptance angle is around 120 degrees from its main axis. 

-Hypercardioid: This kind has its greatest pick up from the front and more rejection from the sides. Its acceptance angle is around 110 degrees (much tighter). It’s popular for loud stages or weak singers. 

-Figure 8 or bidirectional: Most studio mics and ribbon mics have this polar pattern, they pick up sound equally well from the front and the back. However, its no point lays around 90 degrees from its axis(sides).

Picture sourced from Home Recording Pro. 

Which microphone is better for a home recording studio?

As you might have already realized, there’s no microphone that suits every single purpose. 

Condenser microphones may seem better for a home recording studio. 

But the real answer is… it just depends.

As much as it can be annoying it’s the truth.

This should be hardly an inconvenience for you because even though there is a wide range of mics out there, each one works better for specific situations.

And I’ll help you understand the different types of microphones in great detail.

That said, in the next section you should be able to determine which microphone will be better for you. 

Let’s dive in.

Different sub-categories of microphones

Small diaphragm condenser mics

SDC mics work great with high-frequency instruments such as the cymbals, acoustic guitar, or drum overheads.

They are ideal if you want a mic that provides you with a brighter sound and that can keep up with fast transients. 

They also have a very smooth off-axis sound and are perfect for home recording studios. 

If you are a singer/ songwriter and you also play an instrument alongside, a pair of small-diaphragm condensers are all you need.

Here are my tops options:

Best condenser microphones for home recording

An example:


Large-diaphragm condenser mics

Their big diaphragm helps provide a very natural and true to life, warming, and smoothing out sound.

LDC mics are not as good at picking up fast transients since they focus more on the naturalistic side of a sound. 

For instance, if you’re playing the guitar and have fast transients you might want to locate an SDC above your strings and have an LDC mic next to your guitar’s body so that it captures the core sound of your piece without losing its brightness. 

These are also the microphones you see in movies and professional recording studios.

Not only because they like the way they look but because they are the standard mics for recording vocals.

If you are about to buy your first mic for your new studio this should be the one to consider. 

Not only because of its great recording vocals but because it also works for most instruments.

Here are my top options:

Example:


Dynamic mics

These work on almost everything and they are very versatile.

As mentioned before they work well with low-frequency instruments such as:

-Drums

-Electric guitar

-strong vocals

They don’t use phantom power and they are regarded as the “classic” range of microphones due to their several uses.

A variety of dynamic mics would be great for a started home recording kit.

The ones I recommend:

A classic example:

Ribbon mics

These have their own category and don’t fall into the condenser or dynamic range of microphones.

This is due to the way they capture sound. 

Instead of having a diaphragm, they use a thin aluminum ribbon to capture the sounds around it.

They also have a figure 8 polar pattern and are known for having a high-frequency sensitivity. 

This fact makes them:

-More durable

-More pricey 

If you’d like to know more about them, check my article on:

“Best ribbon mics”

Here’s an example:


Multi-Pattern mics

Multi-pattern microphones are super versatile since they can switch between these 3 polar patterns:

-Omnidirectional

-Figure 8

-Cardioid 

If you are not yet familiarised with this type of recording and still don’t know a lot about microphones this mic might not be for you.

However, your recordings will benefit massively if having one of these.

Example:

USB mics

This is the most trendy category of microphones at the moment.

People often use them in their youtube channels, podcasts, and bedroom studios.

USB mics are super easy to use and don’t require any interfaces or external power.

After being plugged into a computer, they are ready to use.

If you don’t want to invest in a proper recording studio this is your type of mic.

Here are my top ones:

“Best USB microphones for home recording “

Example:

Shotgun mics

These are often used in movies and TV rather than in studios.

The reason for this is because its interference tube mechanism works great at isolating sounds.

This makes it a great microphone to use in outdoor locations and at a fair distance from subjects. 

They are designed to reject off-axis sounds and their pick up angle is narrow.

While it’s definitely not the best for home studios it is a must for a filmmaking sound kit.

Here are the best:

Example:

Microphones by purpose

1. Vocals

If you are a singer/songwriter and want to delve into the world of recording vocals, investing in a microphone is a must.

But what’s the best microphone for recording vocals?

Well, that’s a tricky question with more than one answer.

To find the right microphone for you, check the following post:

“Best microphone for recording vocals”

2. Instruments

Acoustic guitar

Recording acoustic guitar is not for the light-hearted

Truth be told, it is one of the most complicated sounds you can record. 

But do it with the right microphone and the results will be beautiful.

If you are not too sure about which is the best microphone to record this instrument head to:

“Best microphones for recording acoustic guitar”

Drums

When dealing with strong instruments with a lot of sound transients like drums, getting “any” microphone is not an option.

Since it’s a low-frequency instrument you’ll need a mic that can provide a good response with louder sounds. 

This might seem daunting but believe me, it’s not.

You just need to have a look at what works best:

“The best microphones for recording drums at home”

Bass

Also known as kick-drum mics, these will have a great response with low-frequency instruments (such as bass-heavy instruments).

This would be your best buddy to capture low-end sounds.

Want to know more?

Head to “Best mics for recording Bass Guitar and Kickdrums”

Electric guitar

Also falling in the low-frequency category electric guitar sounds are often recorded with dynamic mics.

However, people also use condensers and even ribbon mics.

To have a look at the classic microphones recording this instrument check:

“Best microphones for recording electric guitar”

Piano

In my opinion, a small diaphragm condenser microphone would be perfect for an over the shoulder piano recording.

However, there are many options available that can adjust to many budgets.

So to be completely certain you are getting the best option, have a look at:

“Best microphones for piano recording 2020”

Violin

Although violin produces a beautiful sound if played right, they are also a high pitched instrument.

For this reason, it’s better to use a microphone that has tempered high frequency in order to avoid sharpness.

“Best microphones for violin recording”

3. Filmmaking

Recording sound in a movie it’s a completely different story, but it is as important as recording the picture itself.

In fact, many industry professionals would agree that a movie can get away with an ok picture if it has great audio but not the other way around.

If you are a film lover and want to know the type of microphones used in indie film, head to “Best boom poles for indie filmmakers”

4. Voice over

Before picking your microphone for a voice-over recording you’ll need to decide which connection will suit your needs best.

Condenser mics are specially designed for recording studios so they’d be great in order to record a perfect VO for your project.

For more information check:

“Best voice-over microphones”

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