Basic microphone choices for studio and home recording

Microphones vary greatly in quality, a top end recording studio microphone may cost thousands and in many cases they are needed for the very best recordings but it is possible to buy a good microphone for less than a few hundred Dollars.

Using poor quality cheap microphones may do for unimportant things but as a visitor to this site you are probably looking to get a great sound!  Below is a list of microphones available via our favourite on-line retailer who guarantee to match any legitimate price and we have found them to offer excellent service and a good returns policy.

Let’s look at the kinds of microphone choices available and go over the pro’s and con’s of each.  We won’t go in to mega detail but we hope that this helps you!

We have listed the key microphones available here:

Dynamic Microphones   -    Studio dynamic mics -  Stage dynamic mics
Condenser Microphones  -  Large capsule mics -  Small capsule condenser mics
Ribbon Microphones   -      Ribbon microphone

We have listed the major microphone brands here:

AKG - Audio Technica - Blue - Neumann - Rode - SE Electronics - Shure

Complete range of microphones to browse are here.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones that offer really good all round performance include the Shure SM57.  Many others from AKG, Beyer etc are available.  Typical uses for dynamic microphones are for stage use and recording studio use.  Dynamic mics don’t need phantom power.

In a studio situation a dynamic microphone such as the SM57 will be great for snare drums, guitar cabs and a hundred other uses.  They generally can take a fair amount of abuse such as a drum stick hitting the microphone.

Condenser Microphones

The range of condenser microphones is vast, from cheap and cheerful right up to state of the art and classic studio microphones.  Typically you will need phantom power supplied by your mixing desk or mic pre amp though many simply need a battery to operate.

In a studio situation one of the most typical high end microphones is the Neumann U 87 and it is probably the best-known and most widely used studio microphone. It is equipped with a large dual-diaphragm capsule with 3 directional patterns: omnidirectional, cardioid, and figure-8. These are selectable with a switch below the headgrille. A 10 dB attenuation switch, located on the rear, enables the microphone to handle sound pressure levels up to 127 dB without distortion. Furthermore, the low frequency response can be reduced to compensate for proximity effect.

Another very popular recording studio microphone due to its versatility is the AKG 414.  It has a solid metal housing and transformer-less output stage with 3 switchable bass cut filters and 3 pre-attenuation pads.  It has high sensitivity and extremely low self noise with 5 switchable polar patterns for placement and application flexibility.  Using an elastic capsule suspension greatly minimizes structurally-transmitted noise from chassis vibration.

Although the above microphones are quite expensive you need to remember that a great mic, when used well, will produce results far better than a cheap one.  Don’t forget that it is important to keep the cable as short and as high a quality as possible and to use a really good mic pre for the best results.

If you are on a budget don’t feel that a decent microphone is out of your budget.  Many manufacturers such as Rode, AKG etc produce amazing microphones at a decent price.

Our favourite microphones.

The range of microphones and accessories available here includes:

Dynamic Microphones   -    Studio dynamic mics -  Stage dynamic mics
Condenser Microphones  -  Large capsule mics -  Small capsule condenser mics
Ribbon Microphones   -      Ribbon microphone

Microphone Boom Stands | Microphone Stands | Microphone Mounts | Pop Filters and Windscreens | Microphone Boom Stand Arms | Phantom Power Supplies | Microphone Goosenecks | Transformers | Microphone Stand Accessories | More…
Dynamic Instrument Microphones
Headset Microphones
Clip-On Microphones
Hanging Microphones
Stereo Microphones
Shotgun Microphones
Miniature Microphones / Lavalier Microphones

To select the microphone or accessory that you want click here.

No matter how good the microphone, without a good mic pre amplifier you won’t get the best from you mic.  Good mic pre’s don’t need to cost a fortune but you tend to get what you pay for – save up and get a good one!

These days it’s possible to spend thousands on a high end mic pre but there are many high quality mic pre amplifiers available at sensible money.  Some come as single mic units and there are a number of multiple mic pre’s out there too.

Why bother with a good mic pre?  Well, if you’re using a basic mixer the quality of the on board mic pre is usualy fairly limited and let’s your recording down.  Even people working in high end recording studios take along a range of mic pre’s to give increased options.

If possible, make the most of your microphone and mic pre combination by using good quality cables and try to go direct to your work station or recorder.  Keeping the chain as short as possible bypassing your mixer will improve the performance.

Microphone pre amplifiers available in the shop

Aphex
ART
Avalon
Focusrite
Joe Meek
M Audio
ProSonus
Studio Projects

Complete range of microphone pre amplifiers are in the shop here

Browse our recording equipment reviews too!

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