A microphone converts airborne sound waves into electrical signals that can be recorded on a recording medium or broadcast over loudspeakers.
These are necessary to record music, voices, speech, and other sounds and conduct many types of communications.
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How to select the right mic for your sound?
There are an absurdly large number of microphones available. It can be difficult to choose the best ones, even in that case. However, it need not be as disorienting as it first appears. There are only a limited number of techniques to record sound waves in the air, despite the fact that the number of microphones being produced each year rises.
You can therefore focus your search and select the best gear for the job if you are aware of the kind of microphone you must use.
There are 5 types of microphones:
- Dynamic Microphones
- Large Diaphram Condensor Microphones
- Small Diaphram Condensor Microphones
- Ribbon Microphones
- Lavalier microphone
Dynamic Microphones-The workhorses of the microphone industry are dynamic microphones. They are affordable, robust, and produce excellent sound on some of the most popular recording sources. This function like a speaker in reverse by using a moving induction coil hung in a magnetic field. Dynamic microphones respond quickly to transients and are excellent at handling high SPL. They are, therefore, an obvious solution for loud sources like guitar and bass cabs and close mics on drum kits. You should probably have one or two dynamic microphones in your collection, given how inexpensive and valuable they are.
Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphones- When you think of studio recording microphones, large-diaphragm condenser microphones are generally the first that come to mind. They are large, commanding, fashionable microphones in high-end recording studio settings. Acoustic vibrations are transformed into an electrical current in condenser microphones using a capacitor (or condenser). That implies they require a power source, such as 48V phantom power, to function. Additionally, they produce a louder signal and are far more sensitive than dynamic or ribbon microphones. They are perfect for quiet or dynamic sources, like vocals, because of their sensitivity.For voices, large-diaphragm condensers have a variety of sonically appealing characteristics.
They contribute to the “bigger than life” quality of pro studio vocals that we all love.LDCs, however, work well with a variety of sources. Consider a large-diaphragm condenser if you’re seeking a single mic that can handle all tasks. One of the most outstanding mics for constructing your studio around is the current LDC, as many of them come with changeable polar patterns, making them highly versatile and helpful in various recording settings.
Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones– The smaller, less showy cousin of the LDC is a small diaphragm condenser, often known as a pencil condenser. Nevertheless, despite their diminutive size, they are just as significant. Small diaphragm condensers have an excellent transient response, a prolonged top end, and reliable pickup patterns. They are therefore excellent for both practical stereo methods and acoustic instruments. SDCs would predominate if you attended a recording session for classical music. They frequently arrive in pairs for stereo recording, which is particularly helpful for producing precise stereo representations of real-world acoustic settings.
Ribbon Microphones– Ribbon technology has existed since the beginning of microphones. Presenters speaking over vintage ribbon microphones are frequently seen in photographs from the heyday of broadcasting. To produce their signal, ribbon microphones suspend a skinny ribbon of an electro-conductive substance between the poles of a magnet. Early ribbon patterns were quite delicate. The ribbon may break if it is moved incorrectly or is exposed to strong SPL. But the compromise in durability was worth it for their sound. Ribbon microphones are coveted for their rich, antique sound. They are perfect when you need to tame excessive or harsh high-end: sources like guitar amps, drum overheads, or brass. Ribbon microphones naturally produce a perfect figure-eight polar pattern and respond to EQ exceptionally well. The most natural microphones to record the sound of an instrument, a voice, or simply the ambiance of a room are ribbon microphones.
These are the only ones that have a figure-of-8 polar pattern, a significant amount of low-end pick-up, and a natural high-frequency roll-off.
Lavalier microphone- This is a tiny microphone attached directly to an actor’s body or clothing. They come in both wired and wireless varieties and are designed to be discrete and lightweight. A wired lav may restrict an actor’s movement, but a wireless lav mic requires only a tiny transmitter pack typically clipped onto an actor’s belt or in their pocket. Wireless lavalier microphones transmit their audio feeds via radio frequencies directly to a receiver that a sound mixer can control and adjust. There are lav microphones of widely varying quality available, but the best options will produce audio that rivals a standard boom mic.
Lavalier Microphones Characteristics
- Small, compact size
- Collects audio focused on a single actor
- The omnidirectional or cardioid pickup pattern
Wireless Microphone- In the entertainment industry, television telecasting, and public speaking, wireless microphones are frequently used to allow performers, interviewers, and entertainers to move around freely while using a microphone without needing a cord tied to the microphone. The system’s microphone functions precisely like a standard microphone.
There are many transducer/capsule principles for wireless microphones (moving-coil dynamic, condenser, and even ribbon dynamic).
Wireless microphones function as transducers, converting acoustic/mechanical wave energy (sound) into electrical power (audio signal), exactly like any other type of microphone:
- The microphone diaphragm vibrates due to sound waves.
- Electromagnetic induction (dynamic), or a change in the capsule capacitance, converts the diaphragm’s vibration into an electrical signal (condenser).
- Before output, this signal may or may not be amplified inside the microphone.
The above is an oversimplification. The point is that the microphone portion of a wireless system is the same as a typical microphone.
Top 10 best microphones in India
JBL Commercial CSLM10 Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone for Content Creation, Vlogging & Voiceover
About this item
Brand: JBL Commercial
Colour: Black
Connector:3.5 mm Jack
Item Weight:15 Grams
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional

MXL Mics R144 Ribbon Microphone, Blue, Large
About this item
Brand: MXL Mics
Colour: Blue
Connectivity Technology: XLR
A number of Batteries:1 C battery required.
Item Weight:3 Pounds

Blue Ember Small Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone with XLR-XLR Cable & Pop Filter Bundle
About this item
Brand: Blue
Connector: XLR Connector
Connectivity Technology: XLR
Power Source: Corded Electric
Compatible Devises: Gaming Console

Metronaut Wireless Lavalier Microphone Mic System for YouTube Facebook Live Stream TikTok Video Recording Vlog for Type-C Android & iPhone, Plug and Play, Noise Reduction, No Need APP & Bluetooth
About this item
Brand: Metronaut
Colour: Wireless MIC-Metronaut
Connector Type: Bluetooth
Power Source: Battery Powered
Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional

Shure PGA31-TQG Headset Condenser Microphone
About this item
Brand: Shure
Colour: Black
Power Source: Corded Electric
Compatible Devices: Headphone
A number of Batteries:1 Lithium-Ion battery is required.

AKG P220 – High-performance large-diaphragm true condenser microphone
About this item
Brand: AKG
Colour: Silver and Blue
Connector:3-pin XLR (pin 2 hot)
Connectivity Technology: Wired
Power Source: Phantom Power (Same as P120)

BOYA BY-M800 Large cardioid diaphragm condenser microphone with a smooth, flat,wide-range frequency response for Vocal & general instruments in recording, broadcast and professional studio environments
About this item
Brand: Boya
Connector: XLR Connector
Connectivity Technology: XLR
Power Source: Corded Electric
Compatible Devices: Radio, Amplifier, Speaker

Rode M5 Compact 1/2″ Cardioid Condenser Microphone, Matched Pair
About this item
Brand: Rode
Colour: Black
Audio Sensitivity:1 dB
A number of Batteries:1 Lithium-Ion batteries required.
Item Weight:0.16 Kilograms

Maono AU-200 Dual Collar Lavalier Microphone, Condenser Clip-on Mic for Youtube Recording, Mobile phone, pc,
About this item
Brand: MAONO
Colour: Black
Connector:3.5 mm Jack
Connectivity Technology: Auxiliary
Power Source: Battery Powered

Shure BETA 58A Dynamic Vocal Microphone
About this item
Brand: Shure
Colour: Na
Connector:2.5 mm Jack
Connectivity Technology: Auxiliary
Power Source: Battery Powered
