While looking for a new microphone, you will encounter a wide variety of mic types spanning a vast price range. The excess of specs and features associated with the tons of models can be confusing, leaving you with little foundation for comparison aside from the price. A mic's price may reflect the quality of the sound it’s capable of reproducing but research will show you there are a lot of reasonably priced mics which are extremely capable in recording aspects. Understanding different types of microphones and their functions will help you decide on the right mic as per your usage and enhance your live performances or recordings.
YOUR GUIDE TO MICROPHONES
Dynamic microphones come in different shapes and sizes - some large diaphragms, others small. The size and design of the dynamic element play a major role in how the mic sounds. Usually, the larger the diaphragm, the smoother and deeper the sound. Dynamic mics consist of few parts to break and no electronics that can fail due to which they survive all kinds of torture. They're are resistant to moisture and other forms of abuse as well, which makes them the perfect choice onstage and on the road.
Ideal For: Loud guitar amps, live vocals, and drums.
Condenser microphones are most commonly found in studios. They have a much greater frequency response and transient response - the ability to reproduce the "speed" of an instrument or vocals. When it’s top notch fidelity to the source you are looking for, consider a condenser microphone. Condensers are also more responsive to the “speed” and nuances of sound waves than dynamic mics. They are not as rugged and more fragile in comparison to the dynamic mics. Condenser mics need Phantom power so ensure your mixer or interface can provide the same.
Ideal For: Studio Recording, Precision recording.
A recent development in microphone technology, the USB mic contains all the elements of a traditional microphone: capsule, diaphragm, etc. Where it differs from other microphones is its inclusion of two additional circuits: an onboard preamp and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The preamp makes it unnecessary for the USB mic to be connected to a mixer or external mic preamp! This is a beautiful invention because it brings down the cost of setting up a vocal recording studio drastically and lets you start recording anywhere you want.
Ideal for: Home studio, Vloggers, Youtube artists, Audio for Video, Journalism, Home video, Multimedia, Gaming, VOIP"
AKG D40 Dynamic Instrument Microphone
The D 40 with its solid all-metal body will stand up to the hardships of night-after-night onstage use "with a smile". The Varimotion diaphragm deep-drawing process allows the diaphragm itself to be fine-tuned with no need for tuning resonators, leading to a quantum leap in audio performance.
The transducer is protected by a sturdy wire-mesh cap and takes extremely high sound pressure levels with ease.
Sennheiser MK 4 Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The MK 4 is a large-diaphragm true condenser microphone for professional studio recordings. Featuring fine resolution and outstanding sound quality, the MK 4 is easy to handle and excellent value for money, making it an ideal choice for professional project studios and home recordists. It features a 1" true condenser capsule based on the acoustics of the e965 high-end vocal mic, optimised for recording. The MK 4 is made in Germany, its transducer being manufactured in the same clean room as all high-end Sennheiser condenser capsules.
Rode Microphones NT1-A Condenser Mic Bundle
Now RØDE has truly made the NT1-A the complete recording solution by including a premium shock mount with integrated pop filter, high-quality 6m (20') XLR cable, microphone dust cover and even a bonus instructional DVD. Presented by RØDE founder and company president, Peter Freedman, The NT1-A Studio Secrets DVD features a range of tips and techniques to help RØDE NT1-A owners get the most from their new microphone.
Samson Meteor Mic - USB Studio Microphone.
Meteor Mic is the universal solution for recording music on your computer. Perfect for your home studio, Meteor Mic is also ideal for Skype, iChat or voice recognition software. With Meteor Mic, you can make incredible recordings that are out of this world.
Avid M-Audio Vocal Studio Microphone
Vocal Studio brings world-class audio to all your computer recording projects. Lay down vocals on your latest tune. Narrate your next podcast. Add a voice-over to your multimedia production. Vocal Studio does it all. The unique combination of high-performance hardware and easy-to-use software makes it possible. Simply plug the Producer USB microphone into your computer, fire up your favorite music software, and you’re ready to record. The microphone delivers exceptional clarity, and provides a convenient headphone jack for low-latency monitoring.