Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Microphone

If you’re new in the recording world, you probably don’t have enough knowledge about all the technical terms and all of the equipment you need to get you started. One of the basic tools you need is a microphone. It’s the foundation of every recording artist, blogger, youtuber or podcaster because it should transfer clear sounds. Knowing where and what to start looking will make your shopping experience much simpler and easier.

Types of Microphones

Dynamic

Dynamic microphones work using a diaphragm attached to a metal coil, which is suspended inside a magnetic field. When sound waves hit the diaphragm, the coil moves, generating an electrical signal. These microphones are very durable and budget-friendly. They can withstand heat and humidity, handle high sound pressure levels, and are less sensitive than other microphones. These wide-range frequency recording microphones are great for voice recording and recording loud instruments such as guitar amps and drums.

Condenser

Condenser microphones operate using “variable capacitance.” A conductive diaphragm sits in front of a charged backplate, and as sound waves cause the diaphragm to vibrate, it changes the capacitance, converting acoustic energy into an electrical signal. They’re very sensitive and great for high frequencies and transients.
Their DC current is supplied through an XLR cable from a mixer, preamp, audio interface, external power supply, or even batteries. Condenser microphones can be large- or small diaphragm. The small ones are slim, often pencil-shaped and capture sound from the end. Large ones work from a side-address position and are bulkier.

Ribbon

Ribbon microphones were first widely used during the golden age of radio and were the first commercially successful directional microphones. Nowadays, they’re making a big comeback. Ribbon microphones pick up the velocity of air molecules moving a small element suspended in a strong magnetic field. This doesn’t make much of a difference in studio applications, but it can be crucial when recording outdoors, especially on windy days.

USB

USB microphones are the recent breakthrough in microphone technology. They contain all the standard components of a traditional microphone, like the capsule and diaphragm. However, what sets them apart is the addition of two key circuits: an onboard preamp and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter.
The preamp removes the need for a mixer or external mic preamp, while the A/D converter transforms the mic’s analog output into a digital signal. This means it can be plugged straight into your computer and recognised by recording software. This makes mobile digital recording very simple.

Microphone Polar Patterns

Cardioid

Microphones with a cardioid polar pattern are designed to capture sound from the front and reject noise from the sides and rear. The shape of the pattern looks like a heart, hence the name “cardioid.” This ability to reject sound from behind makes these microphones ideal for situations that include multiple microphones or when you don’t want too much room ambience in your recording. They’re great for studio and live settings. Just keep in mind that they’ll boost the bass response when you’re very close to the sound source.

Supercardioid & Hypercardioid

A supercardioid polar pattern is even more directional than a cardioid, and a hypercardioid pattern is even more focused again. Unlike the cardioid, both supercardioid and hypercardioid microphones have small rear lobes that are sound-sensitive. The rear lobe is slightly smaller in the supercardioid but still picks up sound from behind, which can make positioning these highly directional recording microphones a bit tricky.

Omnidirectional

These microphones can capture sound from all directions. They have a polar pattern usually shaped as a circle. Unlike directional mics, omnidirectional ones don’t have a pronounced proximity effect. They’re great for studios because, besides catching the sound source, they can also get the natural room ambiance.

Figure-8

The Figure-8 polar pattern is designed to capture sound equally from the front and rear while rejecting sound from the sides. This makes it ideal for situations like vocal duets or capturing two guitars at once. It’s a polar pattern often found on ribbon microphones, and it’s also known as bi-directional.

Multiple Pattern

Multi pattern microphones are very unique. They have a dual diaphragm which means you can easily switch between different polar patterns such as omni, cardioid and figure-8. These mics are very versatile and a favourite among many because of their wide range of applications. They can be on the expensive side but are sure worth the investment.

Diaphragm Sizes

Large

Large-diaphragm condenser microphones are a must-have in any studio. It doesn’t matter if you’re recording strings, bass, vocals or percussion, they’re versatile enough to capture almost anything. You’ll find many models that are equipped with multiple pickup patterns and pads. This makes them one of the most adaptable types of microphones on the market. Some of them can even record loud sound sources with strong bass energy, such as kick drums or toms.

Medium

The definition of a medium diaphragm microphone can be a bit controversial. Traditionally, all microphones have been classified into large-diaphragm and small-diaphragm categories, but recently, medium-sized mics have started to take up their own space. However, not everyone agrees on their exact size range.
Most professionals and manufacturers agree that any mic with a diaphragm roughly 5/8″ to 3/4″ in diameter can be considered a medium. Generally, medium-diaphragm microphones are balanced because they’re great at capturing transients and high-frequency details and also offering a fuller, rounder, and potentially warmer sound.

Small

Small-diaphragm condenser mics are often seen as less important compared to their large-diaphragm counterparts. However, they can actually perform better in many situations. Their smaller, lighter diaphragms make them highly responsive.
They’re perfect for recording acoustic guitar, hi-hat, harp, or any instrument with sharp sounds and rich overtones. Many engineers also prefer them as drum overheads. A great thing about these microphones is that they’re easy to position, making them very practical in the studio.