A dynamic microphone is a rugged and often passive mic prized for its durability, high volume handling, and clean separation between sources. Dynamic mics have been a go-to choice for artists and engineers for the better part of a century, and today they’re a top pick for touring vocalists, home podcasters, and sound engineers working with loud sources like guitars and drums.
Iconic examples of dynamic mics include the Shure SM57 (the President’s mic), the Electro-Voice RE20 (the “Frasier mic”), and the Shure Super 55 (the “Elvis mic”).
Dynamic microphones operate on the electrodynamic principle of induction. They generate electric current as sound waves move a copper coil suspended in a magnetic field. As sound enters the mic capsule, it’s converted (or transduced) into an electric current we know as audio signal. You can think of a dynamic mic like a tiny loudspeaker wired in reverse: instead of an electric signal moving a coil to produce sound, the mic harnesses sound to generate electricity.
Dynamic and condenser microphones may share space in many mic lockers, but their internal designs are quite different. dynamic mics generate signal as sound waves move a coil through a magnetic field, producing voltage proportional to the incoming sound. Their lower sensitivity makes them great at handling loud sources without distorting, soaking up preamp character, and rejecting room noise in untreated spaces. Condenser microphones don’t rely on magnetic induction. Instead, they generate signal electrostatically using two conductive plates, one of which is a moving diaphragm. This gives higher-sensitivity condenser mics the edge for capturing delicate top-end detail on sources like cymbals, acoustic guitar, and vocals in quiet studio settings. To learn more about when to reach for each mic type, check out “What Is the Difference Between Dynamic and Condenser Microphones?”
Thanks to their price and simplicity, dynamic mics offer several key advantages onstage and in the studio:
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Sweetwater Studios’ world-class mic lockers are stocked with some of the finest vintage and modern microphones money can buy, many of them quite exotic. And yet, to capture a roaring guitar amp, an explosive snare drum, or a brassy belter, our engineers time and again reach for the humble dynamic mic. Why? Because when you need an affordable workhorse built to take a beating and handle high sound pressure levels, a trusted dynamic mic is the way to go. Indispensable in the studio and on location, a good selection of dynamic mics is the cornerstone of an engineer’s tool kit.
As one of the nation’s largest online musical instrument and pro audio retailers, Sweetwater is proud to be your trusted resource for dynamic microphones for the stage and studio. Use the shop filters on this page to shop dynamic mics from long-standing mic leaders like Shure, Sennheiser, Electro-Voice, AKG, Telefunken, Audix, RODE, Audio-Technica, and more.
Torn between the proven performance of a Shure SM58 and the contoured punch of an Audix D6? Sweetwater’s Sales Engineers have the knowledge and experience to steer you in the right direction. We use dynamic microphones in our home and commercial studios daily, so we’re uniquely qualified to help recommend the right gear for your setup.
Band session booked? A Sennheiser MD 421-II for toms and an AKG D112 MkII for kick and bass amps make a proven pairing, along with an armload of Shure SM57s for snare and guitar amps. Live vocals? The focused clarity of a supercardioid sE V7 or hypercardioid Audix OM5 helps keep lead performers front and center. High-profile interview? The RODE PodMic and Electro-Voice RE20 deliver big vocal presence for podcasts and online content. You can experiment later if time permits, but these industry standards serve as excellent starting points.
Most popular dynamic mics use a cardioid polar pattern, meaning they capture sound primarily from the front while rejecting off-axis sound from the sides and rear. This suits them well for most stage and studio applications. Although less common, supercardioid and hypercardioid dynamic mics offer tighter sound pickup to reduce bleed from the sides. Even rarer are the omnidirectional and figure-8 dynamic mics, which excel at specialized tasks like full-room or dual-presenter pickup. Hear these polar patterns and more in action in our “Microphone Polar Patterns Demonstrated” shootout.
Recording a country-rock band or mixing live sound for a jazz fusion quartet? Sweetwater has the mics and the knowledge to help you succeed. Need your next mic in a hurry? Our fast, free shipping means you’ll be making beautiful music with your new mic in no time. And thanks to Sweetwater’s free 2-year warranty on nearly every microphone we carry, you can invest in quality gear with confidence.
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$179.00With a massive selection of Dynamic Microphones, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Dynamic Microphones, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.
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