Go Reporter Tips for Choosing Microphones

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Dynamic Microphones

Durable and hardy. Dynamic Mics pick up fat sound - desirable to human ears. Higher grade/cost Dynamic Microphones are sound sensitive, lower grade/cost - not so much. This is your average dependable, always works, mic. Use it anywhere it fits - but know that these type of mics will not give you total clarity. Classified as a vocal microphone.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser Mics are most common and should be considered a step up from the Dynamic Mic as they are much more sound sensitive and will pick up everything - exactly as it sounds. This could be excellent, but it may also pick up too much background noise, imperfect voice issues such as high pitched or low throaty sounds. A good clear, medium voice is desirable when using Condenser Mics. Great to use for studio recording in a quiet setting.  Requires external power.   An exception to this is the Electret Microphone, a variation of the Condenser Mic and a good choice (the Electret) for Digital Voice Recorders.

Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones (LDM)

Somewhat more muted, deeper, or quieter, than a standard Condenser Microphone - meaning that it will pick up less self-noise (keyword - less). You might wish to use a 'pop screen' to help eliminate P and Shh sounds.

Small Diaphragm Microphones (SDM)

Better for recording music or concert sounds and fast sounds, crowds, or any type of noise - although a Dynamic Microphone would be better for recording drum sounds. Our focus here is on voice recording microphones.

Pickup Patterns - which way?

Microphones pick up sounds in different ways, from different directions, and are designed to be used in a variety of ways. You may need one type of mic for close voice recording, and another for lectures, etc. Pickup Patterns are the way in which a microphone picks up sound from different locations or directions.

Omnidirectional

Omni means all or everything (like an Omnipotent God) Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound from all directions. Use an Omnidirectional mic when you desire or don't mind the background noise, or if you're recording several voices from various directions.

Unidirectional

Unidirectional microphones are usually associated with shotgun type microphones (a long, shotgun barrel shaped specialized mic). These mics pick up a very straight and narrow area directly in front of the mic. Unidrectionals are great for interviews where there might be a noisy background, and whether a short or long distance away.

Bidirectional

Picks up sound from two opposite directions. Works well for side by side interviews where each person is standing to one side of the mic, a common stance in stand up, face to face interviews. Would not be a popular or practical as some other types of microphones for obvious reasons, yet it may serve your needs perfectly. Consider this a specialty mic, like the shotgun type mics.

Cardioids

Most commonly used microphone for voice recording, this mic has a heart-shaped pickup pattern which rejects sound coming from behind the mic. Is more sensitive to sounds closer to the mic.

Supercardoid and Hypercardoid

Even more sensitive to closer sounds. Narrows the pickup pattern while improving feedback rejection.

Proximity Effect of Cardioids Microphones

Bass increases as the microphone moves nearer the sound source. Talented and comedic individuals will use this feature to their advantage. Moving your head, or moving back and forth will increase/decrease the bass sound accordingly, so don't move around unintentionally.

Microphone Styles

Wireless - A microphone with no wires between the person and the recording device.

Lavaliere - A small clip on microphone.

Bass Mics - Large diaphragm dynamic microphones typically used for recording drum sounds and similar types of noises or sounds.

Pressure Zone Microphones - Used for amplifying a large source of sound, like a concert or play. Also known as Boundary Microphones or Phase-Coherent Cardioids. Used more for amplifying sound than for recording purposes.

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