Describe The Different Types Of Microphones And Their Characteristics
- A dynamic microphone uses a moving coil whereas a condenser microphone uses a two plates one, an electrically charged stationary plate the other is a moving plate that is in the same place as the coil in the dynamic microphone.
- A dynamic microphone is not as sensitive as a condenser microphone, the condenser microphone will pick up more sound with a wider range.
- Dynamic microphones mostly only pick up what in the polar pattern.
- A condenser microphone is the one that people normally use for vocals because it is sensitive it picks up more detail which gives you better quality.
- You would use a condenser microphone in a studio or inside, because if it was outside it would pick up all the unwanted background noise because it is sensitive.
- Condenser microphones are usually more expensive than dynamic microphones.
- Condenser microphones need to be connected to a power supply normally 48 volt (phantom power)
- Dynamic microphones are used ,more for stage work because they are more rugged and therefore less likely to get damaged.
- Dynamic microphones are good for snare drums or amps because of the high sound pressure
- Condenser microphones are easily damaged.
- I would use a dynamic microphone at outside gigs because they are tough and pick up instruments really well. Dynamic microphones are like speakers in reverse. They also do not need a power supply and get their energy from the movement of the air.(it is virtually immune to distortion). Although these are better for outside you can occasionally use them inside if wanted.
Shotgun Microphone
A shotgun microphone is highly directional, that has to be placed directly at what you are wanting to record or it will not record properly.The shotgun has its name because the shape of the microphone is the same as a barrel off of a gun, and also like a gun it has to be aimed at or directly in front of the source to record good quality sound or even pick it up. The good thing about a shotgun microphone is that as long as you have it angled and positioned correctly it will record a high quality sound recording only a little bit of other noises about (usually recorded low). The main purpose for shotgun microphones is that they are good for talking and speeches for exterior environments.
Cardioid patterns pick up everywhere except from the back because it con-caves so you could use this in an interview when you only want to catch one person speaking louder than the other holding the microphone.