If you are planning on purchasing a new microphone, be it for the school play or to record a podcast, it’s important to pick the right one. Every microphone has different capabilities that will allow it to work best in different situations.
This buying guide will teach you about three of the factors that you should consider when selecting your new microphone.
Features To Look For
Mechanism
One of the first features you should consider is the type of mechanism the microphone uses.
Dynamic microphones use a simple mechanism that does not involve electricity and is less sensitive. This makes them great for live performances or areas with a lot of background noise.
Condenser microphones have a more sensitive electrical mechanism that can record high and low frequencies. This makes them better for use in a recording studio.
To learn more about the best uses for dynamic and condenser microphones read our full-length microphone buying guide.
Polar Pattern
A microphone’s polar pattern determines which direction the microphone records in.
Unidirectional microphones only record in one direction and are best for when only one person is speaking or performing and you want to block out as much background noise as possible.
Omnidirectional microphones record from all sides. These microphones are useful in situations where you want to record the acoustics of a space instead of the direct sound.
Sensitivity
A microphone’s sensitivity is the level of sound in decibels that it is designed to process. Microphones that are designed to process very low decibels can only record very quiet sounds while those that record loud sounds can process high decibels.
