Microphones 101
The Skinny on What to Use When
Worcester | 2022
Check check… is this ‘thing’ on? Yes, the ‘thing’ is referring to the microphone used to amplify sound. Microphones are an obvious necessity for any sizable event or recording, but you already know that! But, did you know that microphones are not all created equal? In fact, it can be an overwhelming task to figure out which one to use for what. They are actually tailored to specific purposes and meant to pick up sound in certain ways. Their shapes and sizes may vary, their inner components are built differently, even their sound quality differs… but ultimately, their basic functions are the same!
Okay, so we’re going to keep things as simple as possible, since this is a beginner lesson. To start, there are three basic pick-up patterns microphones use. A pick-up pattern is the area around the microphone that actually ‘picks up’ the sound around it. This is key information in selecting the correct microphone to use and for helping to avoid creating that dreaded, awful screeching noise otherwise known as ‘feedback!’
Types of pick-up patterns:
- Cardioid. This pattern picks up significantly more sound from the front than from the sides or back. This is the most common type of pick-up pattern. It’s very good at rejecting feedback. Cardioid can also be subcategorized into three other, more specific patterns:
- Supercardioid – These are more focused on the front than cardioid patterns but have a small lobe that picks up from the back but at a much lower level. These mics often work well on the end of a boom pole or mounted to a camera.
- Hypercardioid – This type prevents more audio bleed from the sides but picks up a little more noise directly behind the capsule. This mic also performs well for boom poles and camera mounts. It’s also helpful to isolate sound in noisy environments.
- Shotgun – This pattern only picks up sounds directly in front of it, and only from a distance. These are often used on high-end video cameras to capture audio.
- Supercardioid – These are more focused on the front than cardioid patterns but have a small lobe that picks up from the back but at a much lower level. These mics often work well on the end of a boom pole or mounted to a camera.
- Omnidirectional. This pattern picks up sound equally from all directions. This is often used when multiple vocalists are using the same microphone simultaneously. Using this type of pick-up pattern works well in controlled studios where ambient noise is minimal, or when you want to include the outer acoustics into the sound capture. It is prone to feedback, so be careful!
- Bi-directional. This type of pattern picks up equally from either side of the capsule but reject the sound coming from the front. For instance, this would be handy if you had two backup singers side by side but wanted to exclude any instruments in front of them.
Omnidirectional. This pattern picks up sound equally from all directions. This is often used when multiple vocalists are using the same microphone simultaneously. Using this type of pick-up pattern works well in controlled studios where ambient noise is minimal, or when you want to include the outer acoustics into the sound capture. It is prone to feedback, so be careful!
Bi-directional. This type of pattern picks up equally from either side of the capsule but reject the sound coming from the front. For instance, this would be handy if you had two backup singers side by side but wanted to exclude any instruments in front of them.
So now that you know different microphones have different pick-up patterns, you can match them up to what your intended use is and where you want to pull sound in from. As mentioned before, not all microphones are created equal! Without going into technical detail, the inner workings of the microphones can be divided into three basic classes.
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Types of microphones:
Dynamic. They’re durable and versatile. Dynamic mics are less likely to overload and distort when capturing sources such as drums, guitar amps, horns, and vocals. They are well-suited to be handheld vocal mics for live performance. They also have a relatively low sensitivity, so they require higher sound pressure levels (SPL)—that is, louder sources—to operate.
Condenser. These mics offer the best high-frequency audio reproduction, which makes them the most common choice for capturing the nuances of voices. Hand percussion, such as shaker and tambourine, and acoustic guitar, also benefit from accurate transient reproduction. A condenser mic usually requires an external power source to charge it. They typically pull their charge, called “phantom power,” from a mixer or audio interface. These microphones can be subcategorized into two groups:
- Large-diaphragm – These have a more well-rounded frequency response and work best for recording voices.
- Small-diaphragm – These have the best high-end response and are preferred for recording instruments.
Ribbon. The great majority of ribbon mics feature a bi-directional (figure-8) polar pattern. These usually offer the most natural sound reproduction. Its frequency range most closely mimics human hearing, so audio doesn’t come in as bright as on condensers or dynamics, but vocals and instruments sound very clear and natural. They are primarily used in recording studios, where you can get perfect positioning and keep them protected, as they tend to be more delicate than the other types.
Dynamic. They’re durable and versatile. Dynamic mics are less likely to overload and distort when capturing sources such as drums, guitar amps, horns, and vocals. They are well-suited to be handheld vocal mics for live performance. They also have a relatively low sensitivity, so they require higher sound pressure levels (SPL)—that is, louder sources—to operate.
Condenser. These mics offer the best high-frequency audio reproduction, which makes them the most common choice for capturing the nuances of voices. Hand percussion, such as shaker and tambourine, and acoustic guitar, also benefit from accurate transient reproduction. A condenser mic usually requires an external power source to charge it. They typically pull their charge, called “phantom power,” from a mixer or audio interface. These microphones can be subcategorized into two groups:
Ribbon. The great majority of ribbon mics feature a bi-directional (figure-8) polar pattern. These usually offer the most natural sound reproduction. Its frequency range most closely mimics human hearing, so audio doesn’t come in as bright as on condensers or dynamics, but vocals and instruments sound very clear and natural. They are primarily used in recording studios, where you can get perfect positioning and keep them protected, as they tend to be more delicate than the other types.
So… once you identify the type of microphone and pick-up pattern you will need to service a particular purpose, you can take it a step further with other options. For instance, will the microphone be plugged in, or would you prefer it to be wireless? Will the microphone be hand-held, or would it be preferable to use lavalier mics clipped on to the user’s clothing? Do quality and brand names matter to you? Often times, these sensitive instruments are priced in accordance with quality, so budget may become a factor.
If you’re still feeling a little bombarded with information overload, you can always consult with the professionals! Revelation will help you pinpoint which microphones will work best for your application and get them tuned into an audio system for optimal performance! Contact info@revprod.com for more information!
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