Microphone Types

Choosing the suitable microphones for your recordings is as crucial as composing and arranging. Having the best players but a poor choice of microphones can result in bad-sounding recordings. This article will guide you through the different kinds of microphones and their specific usage. After reading this, I hope you will have a head start in the never-ending microphone world.  

Types of Microphones

Different types of microphones introduce variable sonic texture to the sound. They color the sound and give it a new flavor. This can either enhance or ruin the sound. Discussed below are different types of microphones and their sonic textures:  

Dynamic Microphones

This is the most common type of microphone used in the industry. It has a moving coil, which converts mechanical energy to energy. These microphones do not require any external power source and are often very cost-effective. They commonly used dynamic microphones: SM-57, SM-58, MD-421, and RE-20.

Sonic stamp

It has an enhanced frequency response between 2 to 5 KHz and tends to sound mid-range. Tolerance to high SPL and transient signals makes it appropriate for recording electric guitars, Drums, and aggressive vocals. Since high frequencies require excellent movement, the heaviness of the diaphragm and the moving coil system make it less responsive to frequencies above 12 KHz.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones are an industry standard because they capture the finest details and give a flat frequency response. They consist of a very thin diaphragm, which is unattached. They require external power to work, known as phantom power (48V). Commonly used condenser microphones: AKG C414, AKG C12, Neumann U47, U67, U87.

Sonic Stamp

They have a flat frequency response and capture frequencies above 10KHz very well. Since the diaphragm is very thin and fragile, the tolerance to high SPLs and transients is low. Due to their ability to capture fine details, they are the go-to for vocals, acoustic instruments, cymbals, drum overheads, etc.

Ribbon Microphones

A ribbon microphone is a unique dynamic microphone with a thin corrugated ribbon as the diaphragm. It has no moving coil and mainly does not require any external power. It is least sensitive to high SPLs, transients, or windblasts. Special care must be taken to ensure that none of those things happen. The ribbon inside is so fragile that one should never turn on the phantom power, or it can destroy the microphone forever. Commonly used ribbon microphones: Royer-R121, Coles-4038 RCA BX44.

Sonic stamp

Due to the fragile ribbon diaphragm, they capture the high frequencies very well but tend to sound less revealing, less brittle, and warmer than the condenser microphones. They are used to record piercing sound sources like trumpets, pianos, strings, etc.

Having said all that, I believe there is no right or wrong choice. Experimenting is always the way to go. Perceiving sound is very subjective and personal to each being. For some, the aggressive sound of SM-57 might be the best vocal choice, and others might prefer a high-definition C414. So go out, experiment, and make fantastic music.