Quick Tip on Microphones
Quick Tip on Microphones
Microphones are one of the most important components of the Recording studio.
There are two main types of microphones, these being dynamics, and condensers. Each is used for different applications, depending on what instruments you are planning to record. Recording Engineers will always have their own choices. Different Mics handle different levels of volume. These levels are called SPLs, or Sound Pressure Levels.
Dynamic microphones and condensers differ greatly in this area, as dynamic microphones can handle higher SPL levels than condensers. In fact, dynamic mics are specifically reactive to high SPLs, even if there is background noise, whereas condensers can usually differentiate between background and foreground noises. This is one of the many reasons that makes a Condenser Microphone a Studio Engineer’s favorite.
Dynamic microphones are a popular choice for live stage concerts, but are also used in the studio for those instruments having high attack volumes, such as snare drums.
Condenser microphones are the main type used within recording studios. This is because they usually have better frequency responses, increased sensitivity, and are generally of higher quality. The frequency response of a microphone is the range of frequencies that it can pick up therefore then deciding on which Mic to use it is important to look at the frequency response of the mic and compare it to the frequencies put out by the instruments you want to use it on.
Unlike dynamics, condenser microphones more often come with extra options to control the sound, such as variable polar patterns, replaceable capsules, pads, high-pass filters, and shock mounts. Due to greater sensitivity the condenser mics are more fragile compared to a rugged dynamic Mic and there need to be handled with utmost care.
We will not discuss much of the Ribbon microphones which are in fact a branch of the dynamic microphones. Due to its ribbon built up they are more fragile than the dynamic mics more like the condenser mics.
Regards Devs Music