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What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing a new microphone?

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The right microphone for your project

Microphones are available in various shapes and sizes. The right choice of microphone will differ per application. But how do you select the right microphone? Tau helps you find the best microphone for your project.

Types of microphones and their uses

When choosing one or more microphones, it is important to determine first what they will be used for and in which environment. There are different types of microphones, each of which is suitable for other applications, such as audio recording or streaming and live sound. If you select the microphone that matches the relevant situations, you can be assured of the best sound quality. For meetings and in conference rooms, gooseneck or boundary microphones are often an ideal solution, as they can be easily placed on/in the tables. Ceiling or hanging microphones can also offer a solution here. A portable, wireless microphone provides a great range of movement, so people have the freedom to walk around on stage, for example during a presentation or theatre performance. You can choose from a robust handheld microphone, a discreet lavalier that can be attached to ties, lapels or other garments with small clips, or a convenient headset that can be worn on the head. With a microphone that is used for paging, it is favourable if it can be easily switched on/off, for instance with a push-to-speak button. There are also microphones that are extremely suitable for speeches, rapping, singers, choirs and electric or acoustic musical instruments, such as vocal or boom microphones. You can also match the microphone to the environment in which it is used, by choosing a distinctive or rather unobtrusive or even retractable microphone.

Dynamic vs condenser vs ribbon

The most common microphone types are dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones. Each type has its own character traits and is therefore more or rather less suitable for certain situations and uses.

  • Dynamic: Need a rugged microphone? Thanks to their durability and their ability to handle very high sound pressure levels, dynamic microphones are particularly suitable for use on stages or in other live applications and in noisy environments. Some dynamic microphones, though, are also used for recording. They operate without a power source and provide a warm and full sound.
  • Condenser: Condenser microphones are actually used for studio recording very often, as they pick up a very authentic and accurate sound. These microphones are more sensitive than the dynamic versions and they also have a much wider frequency response. Condenser microphones can also be used for live sound, but have some difficulty with noisy performances. They are quite suitable for choirs, pianos, acoustic stringed instruments, and the cymbals on a drum kit. Most condenser microphones are powered by their battery or by external (phantom) power supply. Choose these microphones for a bright and detailed sound.
  • Ribbon: Due to ability to pick up high-frequency detail, without sounding harsh or brittle, ribbon microphones are used mostly in the studio for recording voices. Also a broad range of musical instruments, like pianos, saxophones, various string instruments and the toms and hi-hat of a drum kit, can be perfectly recorded with these. Due to their more delicate construction they are almost never used for live applications, though. Ribbon microphones soften the sound and convey warmth to recorded material.

Directionality through polar patterns

In addition, it is important whether the application requires an omni, bi or unidirectional microphone. These polar patterns indicate the most and least sensitive areas of the microphone in question for capturing sounds from different angles towards the central axis. One polar pattern picks up more background noise and another has more focus on one subject. There is a suitable solution for every situation in the polar patterns below.

polar patterns - omnidirectioneel Omnidirectional polar pattern: picks up sound all around, equally from all directions. As this polar pattern captures all the sound around the microphone, it can very well be used for situations where sound is moving or coming from many directions, such as musical events, ambient sounds, conference rooms, audience reactions or during interviews.
polar patterns - bi-directioneel Bi-directional/figure of 8 polar pattern: picks up an equal level of sound from the front and the rear, sound from the sides is rejected. As this polar pattern captures the sound from two opposite sides of the microphone, it can be used during an interview between two people, for instance.
polar patterns - cardioid Cardioid/heart-shaped polar pattern: mainly picks up sound from the front and to a lesser extent from the sides. The three cardioid patterns are the most common type of microphone, as they are very directional, but leave some room for movement of the microphone and background noise and therefore produce a natural sound. These versatile, unidirectional microphones are often used for interviews, singers, musical instruments, live performances and high noise areas.
polar patterns - supercardioid Supercardioid polar pattern: mainly picks up sound from the front and hardly any from the sides. This polar pattern is the comparative form of the cardioid pattern and is therefore more focused on the sound from the front of the microphone.
polar patterns - hypercardioid Hypercardioid polar pattern: mainly picks up sound from the front and blocks most sound from the sides and rear. This polar pattern is the superlative form of the cardioid pattern and is therefore most focused on the sound from the front of the microphone.
polar patterns - shotgun Shotgun/lobar polar pattern: this is the most directional polar pattern. Due to the extremely narrow polar pattern, it isolates the sound from the one direction where it’s pointed, even when there is a lot of ambient noise. It’s also very good at picking up sound from a distance. These microphones are often used for broadcasting, for example during sporting events. Because of its extreme directionality, this microphone is not very good at producing natural sound, so it’s not generally used in live musical shows.

Perfect for your project

The following specifications also play a part in choosing the right microphone.

  • Frequency Response: the range of low to high frequencies that a microphone will pick up. Different frequency responses make a good choice for different types of use. Each mic also has a different response curve with dips and peaks in particular parts of the frequency range, producing, for example, super smooth sound or great speech intelligibility. A fine example is a drum kit, as each (kick) drum, tom, snare and cymbal creates its own unique sound, so you choose the profile best suited to the particular drum for which the microphone is used.
  • Signal to noise ratio (SNR of S/N): indicates the ratio between the desired signal and the self-noise of the microphone. The ratio is expressed in a decibel value. Depending on the application it may be necessary to choose microphones with a low self-noise and therefore a higher signal to noise ratio, with other applications it is less important. Microphones with a smaller membrane generally have a higher self-noise.
  • Impedance: microphones with a high impedance are usually very budget-friendly solutions, but not suitable for use with long wiring. Low impedance is more suitable for a professional result, as this prevents loss of the high frequencies.
  • Sensitivity: the more sensitive a microphone is, the more it can capture even the quietest of sounds.
  • SPL: the maximum amount of sound pressure level that a mic can handle, especially important when working with loud instruments (such as drums).
  • Handling Noise: some microphones are protected against vibrations, bumping and shifting, so these situations do not produce annoying sounds. This can be done using a special foam or rubber or by means of suspension.
  • Connectors: microphones can have different ports for connection to the audio installation and power supply, such as USB, Tini Q, XLR and phantom power. Some microphones are wireless, connected via Bluetooth and operating on a battery.

Optimal performance

To perfect the recording and amplification, make sure that the microphone matches well with the other audio equipment, like the speakers, amplifier and mixer. For further optimisation, numerous microphone accessories are available at Tau. For example, microphone stands, pop filters, shock mounts or clips.

Need help purchasing or installing an microphone?

Tau’s enthusiastic team of audio specialists are available to help you find a fitting microphone for your projects. In addition, we have virtually all microphones and other audio equipment from our portfolio in stock, to quickly provide everything needed for projects. Need advice purchasing or installing audio equipment? Or do you have a project that you would like to be carried out by one of the Tau dealers? Please contact us or call +3150 549 9090.