Microphones 101:
A Beginner’s Guide to Macs and Mics

Microphone Types

Different types of mics convert sound into an electrical signal in different ways, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. All microphones “color” the sound of whatever is being miked. Sometimes this coloration is undesirable or even unpleasant. In other cases, it actually enhances the sound — depending upon the microphone, it may add warmth, smoothness, or a commanding “edge” to the tone.

The two most common types are dynamic and condenser mics. In general, dynamic mics are less expensive and more durable. Condensers cost more and must be handled with greater care, but can deliver greater dynamic range and detail.

Pickup patterns. Microphones are also classified according to their pickup (or polarity) pattern. This describes the way the mic “hears” the sounds around it. The most common patterns are cardioid (heart-shaped), bidirectional (figure-eight), and omnidirectional. Some higher-end mics allow you to switch between patterns for different recording tasks.

If you’re only buying one mic, a cardioid pattern is your best bet. A cardioid mic picks up sound directly in front of it and rejects sound to the rear and sides, which makes it especially useful for miking vocals, solo instruments, and amplifiers. For vocalists singing with a live band, a cardioid pickup pattern is ideal — it maximizes the vocal signal while reducing interference from other instruments, monitor speakers, and crowd noise. In contrast, an omnidirectional microphone is good for capturing everything that’s said at a conference table, as it picks up sound equally from every direction. A bidirectional mic picks up sound equally from the front and back.

Dynamic mics are inexpensive and nearly indestructible.

Dynamic microphones. Dynamic mics can capture loud sounds without distortion, which makes them useful for projecting vocals over a band, or miking drums or guitar amps. When used properly, they can add “presence” or “edge” to the sounds they pick up. They’re built for the physical demands of live performance, so they’re less likely to break than other microphones. A good general-purpose dynamic mic, like the classic Shure SM58, starts at around $100.

But dynamic microphones aren’t perfect for every purpose. They capture less detail and fidelity than some other microphone types, so you might want to choose a different microphone type to record acoustic guitar, acoustic piano, or a solo vocal track. But some big rock stars choose dynamic mics to record vocals even though they could use a “better” microphone, because they prefer the power, edge, and attitude that dynamic mics can deliver.

Condenser microphones. Condenser microphones are commonly used for music recording, especially on vocals and instruments such as acoustic guitar or piano. A good condenser mic can pick up much more tonal variation and nuance than most dynamic microphones. But they also tend to cost more and are more fragile. Because they pick up more sonic detail than dynamic mics, condensers require special handling — you’ll probably want to learn a bit about microphone setup and technique before using a condenser to record vocals.

Condenser mics — a Blue Bluebird microphone is shown here — usually offer the greatest sound quality, but they’re more delicate and expensive than dynamic models.

Small-diaphragm condensers are often used on instruments like percussion, acoustic guitar, and acoustic piano, because they respond well to instruments with sharp, snappy attacks. Large-diaphragm condensers are more frequently used on vocals and instruments without sharp attacks, like strings. Small-diaphragm models are generally less expensive than larger-diaphragm models.

Though condenser mics are available for as little as $35, you’ll probably need to spend more for a mic that delivers professional-sounding results. The small-diaphragm Sennheiser e914 ($350) is designed for recording instruments like percussion and acoustic guitar, while the large-diaphragm Blue Bluebird ($500) is a good all-around mic that also works well on vocals. Other popular condensers used to record vocals and other instruments include the Audio-Technica 4050 ($600), AKG C-414 ($1,000), and Neumann TLM-103 ($1,000). Prices can go up to several thousand dollars for some other condensers.

Other Microphone Types

Ribbon mics offer much more sensitive response than dynamic mics, and can add smoothness and warmth to digital recordings. But they are also fragile and pricey. (For example, the Royer R-121 Dynamic Ribbon Microphone sells for $1,300.)

Lavaliers (or lavalieres) are the mics you see clipped to the lapels of newscasters or talk show guests. They work much like condenser microphones, but they do not offer the same level of clarity and detail. Lavaliers are useful for spoken word applications like interviews or discussion panels. Wireless models are sometimes used to record location dialog for video productions. Lavalier mics cost from $75 for a basic wired mic to $200 or more for a wireless system with transmitter.

A PZM (pressure zone) mic, also known as a boundary microphone, is a unique type of condenser microphone. The microphone capsule is mounted on a flat plate that reflects sound into the capsule. Typically, a PZM mic is placed flat on a table or floor to pick up all the sounds from a large area, as opposed to a single voice or instrument. Prices range from $70 to $320.

USB mics are recent innovations. These mics feature a built-in analog-to-digital converter and preamp, so they can be plugged directly into your Mac’s USB port, eliminating the need for an additional interface. Most USB mics are condensers ranging in price from $80 to $160, though Samson also makes a dynamic USB mic, the Q1U ($50). To minimize noise, USB cables must be kept short (usually ten feet or less) compared with regular mic cables. The better USB condenser mics offer low latency and a clear, uncolored sound. While many of the low-cost USB microphones might not match the sound quality of a higher-end condenser microphone for music recording, they may be a good choice for podcasting or basic voiceovers.