{"id":641,"date":"2011-07-19T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2011-07-19T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.wordpress\/?p=641"},"modified":"2022-12-20T10:58:37","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T15:58:37","slug":"choosing-a-microphone-for-recording-your-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adorama.com\/alc\/choosing-a-microphone-for-recording-your-music\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Microphones for Recording Music"},"content":{"rendered":"

A microphone can affect the pre-existing qualities of a musical sound \u2014 warmth, brightness, rasp, smoothness, impact, delicacy \u2014 or it can have a sonic thumbprint all its own. The best microphones for recording music<\/strong> are naturally professional grade studio microphones used in controlled environments. In this article, we\u2019ll first investigate how different microphone types function on a fundamental level. We’ll then explore how that functionality affects sonic characteristics and application in recording music, then suggest the very best of each microphone type currently available on the market.<\/p>\n

Types of Microphones <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Dynamic Microphone<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dynamic microphones<\/strong> operate like a loudspeaker in reverse in order to convert acoustic energy to electricity. A metal coil is wrapped around a magnet \u00a0and connected to a diaphragm \u2014 functionally similar to a loudspeaker cone. Sound waves push and pull the diaphragm, moving the coil around the magnet. This creates an electrical signal that carries the audio information. Because these diaphragms don’t represent all frequencies the same, these microphones are known less for their accuracy and more for their signature response curves being tailored to specific sounds \u2014 the voice, a kick drum, a guitar amp, etc.<\/p>\n

Condenser Microphone <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Condenser microphones<\/strong> also contain a diaphragm, which functions as one of two plates in an electrical capacitor. As sound waves push and pull the diaphragm, distance between both plates creates changes in capacitance. This is converted to an electrical signal. Because the mass required to change capacitance is very small, condenser microphones require less gain from a preamplifier than a dynamic microphone. They\u2019re capable of flat or sculpted frequency responses, and typically sound brighter than dynamic microphones.<\/p>\n

Ribbon Microphone<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ribbon microphones<\/strong> operate by suspending an ultra-thin metal ribbon in a magnetic field. Sound waves cause the ribbon to vibrate, which then creates a signal through magnetic induction. This is the same principle utilized by dynamic microphones. However, because the metallic ribbons are exceedingly delicate, ribbon microphones are much more detailed than their dynamic counterparts \u2014 but also more fragile. They are some of the most expensive musical microphones for a variety of sources benefiting from brilliant high-end response.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo from Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What to Look for in a Microphone<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Frequency Response<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Frequency response<\/strong> describes a microphone’s sensitivity across the spectrum of human hearing. Dynamic microphones have a resonant frequency, typically between 1kHz to 4kHz. This is a “presence peak” that can help accentuate specific qualities of a singer’s voice when paired correctly. Drum overheads benefit from balanced and accurate high-end response. For kick-drum microphones, the opposite is true. Overly bright wind instruments may benefit from a darker frequency response of a dynamic mic. A dark guitar cab may come to life with a bright condenser or ribbon.<\/p>\n

Polar Pattern<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Polarity pattern<\/strong> describes directionality of how a microphone picks up sound from the front (cardioid), from the front and back (figure-eight), or from all directions (omnidirectional). Cardioid patterns in close proximity to a sound source exhibit a build-up of low frequencies, known as “proximity effect.” This can be desirable when a voice needs more heft, or detrimental when the goal of recording is accuracy. Dynamic microphones are most often only cardioid type, while some condenser microphones are multi-pattern with the ability to switch between polarity patterns. Ribbon mics are commonly figure-eight, since the ribbon is open to sonic vibrations on both front and back.<\/p>\n

Diaphragm Size<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Diaphragm size<\/strong> on a dynamic or condenser microphone contributes to the highest and lowest frequency a microphone is capable of capturing. It also affects the shape of the frequency response, including resonances and presence peaks.<\/p>\n

Sensitivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sensitivity<\/strong> describes how much electrical signal is output by a microphone, compared to the acoustic energy that creates the electrical signal. All things being equal, a more sensitive mic is louder than a less sensitive mic. Generally speaking, dynamic and ribbon microphones are less sensitive than condenser types.<\/p>\n

Best Microphones for Recording Music<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Best Overall – Neumann Digital Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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This is a modern take on the classic TLM 103, which is known for its wide presence peak above 5khz and tight low-end response. The 103 D adds onboard digital signal processing (DSP) features, such as a peak limiter as a safeguard against clipping and outputs digitally via AES\/EBU or S\/PDIF. Onboard DSP features can optionally be controlled via a computer and presets can be stored directly in the microphone.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n