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Microphone Types Explained: What to Know Before You Buy

From nailing the take to landing the tone, every great podcast, performance, and production starts with the right microphone. As the first and often most important element in your signal path, the mic you choose plays a key role in shaping your sound and guiding your delivery.

While every microphone shares the same core job of capturing sound and converting it into an electrical signal, their strengths can vary widely. Some are tuned to capture delicate vocals and acoustic instruments while others are built to withstand the rigors of the road.

Are you searching for the perfect mic to rule your stage or podcast studio? This guide breaks down the most common microphone types you’ll find at Sweetwater and shows you how to make them work for your setup.

Condenser Microphones Shine on Vocals and Acoustic Instruments

Also known as capacitor microphones, condenser mics are highly sensitive active microphones that excel at translating nuanced audio sources such as vocal performances and percussion transients. Though traditionally a studio microphone, the condenser mic is quickly becoming a staple of the live sound world.

Dynamic Mics Tackle Loud Amps and Other Stage Sources

Widely used for miking guitar amp cabinets, broadcasting, podcasting, and more, dynamic microphones often have excellent off-axis noise rejection for capturing only what is in front of them. While dynamic microphones often require preamps with more clean gain than condensers, their lower sensitivity and high SPL handling make them ideal for loud sources like snare drums and high-energy vocalists.

Ribbon Microphones Bring Vintage Depth to Modern Recordings

Allergic to overhyped sound? Ribbon mics (sometimes called velocity microphones) use a thin strip of metal suspended in a magnetic field to convert audio into an electrical signal. This ribbon element acts as both a diaphragm and a transducer, yielding a smooth, natural tone with soft transient edges and realistic detail. Passive ribbons demand lots of clean gain, but can reveal beautiful coloration when paired with the right preamp. Active ribbons use phantom power to drive internal circuitry, offering higher output and greater compatibility with mixers and interfaces.

USB Microphones Make Podcasting a Snap

USB microphones handle the duties of sound pickup and conversion to transform audio signals directly to digital. This technology removes the need for phantom power or an external audio interface, making USB mics a popular option for plug-and-play setups as well as a cost-effective microphone for podcast streams and voice-over work.

Lavalier Mics Keep Hands Free and Sight Lines Clear

Widely renowned for use in television or interviews, a lavalier mic is a clip-on option that’s small enough to be hidden from view in a video shot while still picking up a clean audio source.

Shotgun Microphones Capture Dialog and Live Events at a Distance

A favorite among videographers and voice-over artists, a shotgun mic is a highly directional microphone that allows for capturing precise audio sources in outdoor or ever-changing environments. Whether you’re doing run-and-gun sidelines work or you need an overhead miking solution for your film, shotgun mics are the way to go.

Specialty Mics Expand Your Field Kit and Camera Rig

In addition to the mic types listed above, Sweetwater carries numerous specialty microphones, including headset microphones, wireless microphones, camera microphones, iPad/iPhone microphones, and more. Plus, you can save when buying multiple microphones with our custom-curated microphone bundles.

Microphone Polar Patterns Explained

A microphone’s polar pattern determines its sensitivity to sound from different directions around its diaphragm. This ultimately affects the sonic characteristics of a microphone in addition to how much sound is picked up. In general, the following are three main polar patterns — with some variants — that you’ll come across when shopping for microphones:

Omnidirectional

The microphone picks up sound equally from all angles.

Figure-8

The microphone picks up sound in a bidirectional pattern, rejecting sound from the sides.

Cardioid

The microphone picks up sound mainly in the front, rejecting sound from the rear and sides.

Learn more about different polar patterns

What to Consider When Choosing Your Next Microphone

Application

Different microphone types serve different needs, and some may work better than others depending on your sound source and setting. For example, a recording microphone for vocals might prioritize clarity and detail, while a live guitar microphone might focus on midrange punch and dynamic control. Drum mics are often designed to handle high SPL and fast transients, making them perfect for snares, kicks, and toms. Take it from those of us who have been there: choosing the right vocal mic or instrument mic for your application can make a huge difference in the final result.

Budget

While some applications certainly benefit from using a world-class mic like a Neumann U 87 Ai, studio recording technology has come a long way to empower all musicians to achieve professional audio recordings. Consider all other components that go into a recording setup, including your audio interface, preamp, and acoustic treatment. For help picking the right microphone for your budget, see our guides on the best budget recording microphones and best vocal mics for under $1,000.

Portability

While most microphones are designed for use in a studio environment with all the equipment needed to power your recording setup, some microphones can be brought on the road for vlogging or on-the-go recording. If that’s what you need, then make sure to pick a microphone that’s battery-powered or pack a portable recorder.

Microphone FAQs: Handy Answers to Common Mic Questions

“What Is Considered the Best Microphone?”

There are four main microphone types used in today’s stage and studio productions: dynamic, ribbon, large-diaphragm condenser (LDC), and small-diaphragm condenser (SDC). While no one microphone is better than another, each mic type comes with inherent strengths. For instance, LDCs tend to have lower self-noise than other types, making them a standout for intimate vocals. Dynamic mics, on the other hand, are often extremely rugged and exhibit high SPL handling, making them a first choice for drums and amplifiers. For more information, see “What Is the Difference Between Dynamic and Condenser Microphones?” and “How a Microphone Works.”

“Which Microphone Is Best for Me?”

Choosing the microphone that’s best for a given application depends on several important factors, such as: Where will you be using it? On what source? And do you already own an audio interface?

For live vocals on a hot stage, for example, we’d probably recommend a handheld dynamic mic with a supercardioid polar pattern to minimize bleed. If you’re tracking cello in a treated space, an active ribbon might give you the smoothest pickup and greatest dimensionality. If you’re a mobile vlogger or podcaster, a USB condenser often offers unbeatable convenience for audio on the go. For more advice on choosing your next mic, see our “How to Buy Your First Microphone for Live or Studio” buying guide.

Why Shop Microphones at Sweetwater?

With a massive selection of microphones, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, and 24/7 access to our award-winning support, Sweetwater gives you more than any other mic provider. Shop microphones online, or call our knowledgeable Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 for a personalized recommendation based on your needs and budget.

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