More Info on Condenser and Dynamic Mics

Dynamic Microphones

Compared to condenser microphones, dynamic microphones are much more rugged. They're also especially resistant to moisture and other forms of abuse, which makes them the perfect choice onstage. Dynamic microphones like the Shure SM57 and Shure SM58 are legendary for not only their good sound quality, but the amount of abuse they can withstand. Any good rock club probably has at least 5 of each of these microphones in various states of aesthetic ruin; however, they still turn on and more than likely sound just as they did the day they came out of the package.

Dynamic microphones don't require their own power supply like condenser microphones. Their sound quality is generally not as accurate, however. Most dynamic microphones have a limited frequency response, which makes them well-suited, along with their ability to withstand high sound pressure levels, for loud guitar amps, live vocals, and drums.

That being said, there's a few companies right now producing "boutique" dynamic microphones -- some with characteristics similar to that of a condenser with the sustainability of a dynamic. Good dynamic microphones include the Shure SM57 ($99), Sennheiser E602 ($100), and the Shure SM58 ($109).

Condenser Microphones

Condenser microphones are the most common types of microphones you'll find in studios. They have a much greater frequency response and transient response - which is the ability to reproduce the "speed" of an instrument or voice. They also generally have a louder output, but are much more sensitive to loud sounds.

Condenser microphones are generally much more expensive than dynamic microphones, but keep in mind, many cheap condensers exist. The problem is that most of these mics are coming from a couple factories in China, and all sound the same -- very brittle and with little low end.

They require the use of a power supply, generally 48 volt "phantom power", and that's supplied very easily by most mixing boards or external power supplies (look for a switch that says "P 48" or "48V" on the channel strip or on the back of the mixer.)

Condenser microphones are generally used only in studios because of their sensitivity to loud sounds and the fact that they're quite a bit more fragile than their dynamic counterparts. That being said, you'll find them onstage at live music venues for use as drum overheads or for use in orchestral or choral sound reinforcement.






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Different Types of Microphones

Dynamic microphones: These work with the help of electromagnetic induction. There is a magnet that induces current to flow in the wire. When the diaphragm vibrates due to sound waves , the magnet gets moved and this movement creates a small current. As the dynamic microphones are strong and resistant to moisture, they are mainly used in the stage performance by the singers or the bands.

Condenser Microphones: These are also called capacitors as the diaphragm acts as one plate of a capacitor and the vibrations produce changes in the distance between the plates. And these changes are amplified to create a measurable signal. However, the condenser microphones require a small battery to provide a voltage across the capacitor. As they are capable of producing high quality sound, they are used in the laboratory and studio recordings.

Ribbon microphones: These microphones run with the help of a metal ribbon that is suspended in a magnetic field and is connected electrically to the microphone. This ribbon is moved by the sound waves that change the current flowing through it and thus electric signal is generated. The ribbon microphones are used mainly for the cymbals in drums.

Crystal microphones: In these microphones, a crystal is attached to the diaphragm that creates the signal when the diaphragm gets vibrated by the sound waves. Actually, it uses the phenomenon of piezoelectricity. It means that there are some materials like crystals that produce a voltage when subjected to pressure, to convert vibrations into electrical signals. However, crystal microphones are used with vacuum tube equipments like the domestic tape recorders. They are even used as contact microphones to amplify sound from acoustic musical instruments.

Carbon microphones: These microphones were used in telephones in the past. They basically use carbon dust that has a thin metal diaphragm on one side. And when the sound waves hit the diaphragm they compress the carbon dust that changes its resistance. This changing resistance changes the amount of current
that passes through.

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