Choosing a Microphone For Your Recording Studio

In today's professional audio recording and mixing world, knowing how to choose a microphone can be very important. With countless brands and models in the market, it's easy to get overwhelmed and confused with all the choices. The right microphone is often subjective and application Specific qualities that make up a microphone should be determined by the intended use of the microphone. Choosing the right microphones based on sound quality, frequency response, price, build, and other factors would greatly affect your choice. However, learning how to choose a microphone might be simple if you know some simple steps.

The first thing to consider when choosing a microphone is whether or not it has an omnidirectional mic. Omnidirectional microphones are those with a diaphragm that can be moved in any direction, which essentially acts like a directional antenna to pick up sound. Many people prefer this type of microphone for its clarity. The main downside to this kind of microphone is that they tend to pick up echoes and sound unevenly. Another drawback is that they can produce a strong bass response. This does not mean however, that they are a bad option; simply that they might not produce the level of sound accuracy that you're looking for.

Next, we'll take a look at a common microphone model that many producers still prefer: the lavalier mic. The lavalier mic is characterized by its external diaphragm that is moved outwards to capture sound. Unlike the omnidirectional mic, the diaphragm of the lavalier mic typically picks up a wider range of sound frequencies and thereby produces a more balanced, realistic sound quality. One of the primary disadvantages of this model is that they tend to produce a high amount of feedback which can cause clipping. They also tend to pick up far-off and muffled sounds, whereas the omni-directional mic will capture all ranges of frequency.

Another common mic model that many people prefer is the cardioid condenser microphone. These microphones utilize a unique electrical circuitry which captures sound waves through the use of two-plate elements. One element acts as a capacitor and the other plate element acts as a super-capacitor that stores energy created by the electrical signal. This circuitry provides the diaphragm with an accurate signal that will not clip and has an excellent transient response.

If you are considering choosing a microphone for your new drum kit, there are a few other factors that will affect your decision. One of the main factors is tonal balance and consistency. When choosing a microphone, you will want to choose one that has a cardioid pattern that is similar to the sound produced by your drums. Also, you'll want to choose a microphone that has an extremely good transient response. If a microphone has an extremely quiet response time, then it may not be the best choice for what you are trying to do. 

If you're recording vocals, then you will want to purchase a microphone that captures a wider dynamic range. Wide dynamic range microphones capture sounds in their natural environment and will capture any nuances in the music. The microphones that are best for this job are called cardioid microphones. Some examples of cardioid microphones include those made by Blue Microphones, MXL Microphones, Shure Microphones and those made by AKG.